Curious Factor founders Dr. Han Xu, Sam Zheng and David Mckeague
Sydney-based Curious Factor is an aptly-named startup. The voice AI communication platform can name individuals and ask them questions like “How are you feeling right now?” after which observe up with “how does it really feel in comparison with yesterday?” Used primarily by well being and monetary firms, Curious Factor introduced right now it has raised $7 million AUD (about $4.8 million USD) in pre-Sequence A funding led by Hawkstone with participation from Blacksheep Capital, January Capital and returning buyers Reinventure and Qualgro.
Curious Factor was based in 2018 by CEO Sam Zheng, CTO Dr. Han Xu and chief technique officer David Mckeague as a HR tech firm, earlier than pivoting to voice AI this 12 months. The corporate says its platform has processed greater than three million minutes of AI-human conversations up to now. Its purchasers embody Foodpanda, Quitline, Calvary and Medibank, Brighte, Humm Group and several other state and native governments.
Zheng informed TechCrunch “as a substitute of answering questions like ‘what’s the climate right now?’ we thought, can we will construct an AI that’s designed to ask open-context questions and importantly derive insights from individuals?”
“It’s a voice AI as a result of the voice cellphone name carries the appropriate attribute of being proactive and immediate to encourage prospects to share extra,” he added. “We all know that for a similar query, persons are extra more likely to share if they’re speaking.”
Zheng stated he often describes Curious Factor to purchasers as “proactive buyer care.” Within the well being sector, it’s used for each day check-ins on sufferers. For instance, the corporate labored with a number of state governments in Australia to name COVID sufferers about their scenario and signs, so clinicians might give them the correct of assist. Within the monetary providers and fintech industries, Curious Factor’s use circumstances embody onboarding help, data validation, cost reminders and lapsed buyer suggestions assortment.
Another examples of questions Curious Factor can ask embody: “you may have an appointment on Friday, can I please verify that you’re coming,” adopted by “do you want to reschedule” if a affected person says no. Within the monetary providers business, it may well ask individuals issues like “Your membership has expired, would you rethink renewing if we provide you with 10% off?,” “Can I please perceive why you determined to cease utilizing our service?” and “Thanks for utilizing our service. Is there any suggestions you may share with us?”
About 85% of Curious Factor’s income at present comes from Australia, and a part of its new funding will likely be used to increase in Southeast Asia and the USA, Zheng stated. It additionally plans to rent for its tech group.
