Linq raises $20M to innovate messaging and here is how AI will change your chats

Sometimes a business does not realize it has a winning idea until the market demands it. Linq started as a digital business card and lead capture tool before pivoting toward messaging innovation.

The company is based in Birmingham, Alabama, and was founded by former Shipt executives Elliott Potter, Patrick Sullivan, and Jared Mattsson. They spotted an opportunity to help businesses communicate with customers more naturally through iMessage and RCS.

Messaging with authenticity

Apple already allows businesses to message customers through its Messages for Business service. Twilio built a large business supplying messaging APIs and related services.

As of early 2026, its market capitalization is roughly $17 to $18 billion, and the company reports multibillion-dollar annual revenues. Many users can still tell when they are interacting with a business account rather than an individual.

Linq discovered that its clients wanted blue-bubble messages instead of the typical gray or green texts. This small difference made business messages feel authentic and more likely to get responses.

The API pivot

In February 2025, Linq launched a native iMessage API that, the company says, allows brands to use iMessage features such as group chats, threaded replies, images, voice notes, and emoji reactions.

According to the company, within eight months after launching the iMessage API, Linq doubled the annual recurring revenue it had built over the prior four years.

Enter AI assistants

The rise of AI assistants created an even bigger market for Linq. One early spark came from a California company building an AI assistant called Poke, which could schedule calendar items and answer questions within iMessage.

Source: [email protected]/Depositphotos

Linq says Poke’s team approached the company because Poke did not have its own CRM, and after Poke went viral in September 2025, Linq reported an influx of integration requests from other AI companies wanting messaging support.

Choosing the pivot

Linq faced a decision: stick with steady B2B revenue or become the AI infrastructure for messaging. The company chose the latter, betting that AI assistants would become central to modern communication.

Elliott Potter noted that people are experiencing app fatigue. Linq allows AI to live inside the messaging apps users already rely on, removing the need to download additional software.

Making AI accessible

Developers no longer need to build separate apps for their assistants. They can simply use messaging-native interfaces to provide tasks, support, and information.

Potter emphasized that Poke.com and similar AI tools have shown that traditional apps are no longer necessary. You only need a capable interface, system access, and user feedback to make AI functional and helpful.

Rapid growth

Linq’s pivot paid off immediately, with customer accounts expanding by an average of 34%. Its AI agents now reach 134,000 monthly active users and process over 30 million messages per month.

Net revenue retention stands at 295% with zero churn, showing businesses are increasing usage as the platform proves its value. These numbers attracted a $20 million Series A investment led by TQ Ventures, with Mucker Capital and angel investors also participating.

The platform vision

Despite success, Linq still depends heavily on Apple’s platform. iMessage is dominant in the U.S., but global users rely on WhatsApp, WeChat, Telegram, and Signal.

Potter envisions expanding to multiple channels beyond Apple. The company aims to support Slack, email, Telegram, WhatsApp, Discord, Signal, and more to reach customers wherever they communicate.

Transforming business communication

Linq’s approach could redefine how businesses interact with consumers. Embedding AI in messaging apps eliminates friction and creates more natural, personalized communication.

Companies can automate tasks, answer questions, and provide support without forcing users to download new apps. The experience feels closer to texting a friend than interacting with a traditional business interface.

Investor confidence

Investors are excited about Linq’s growth and vision. Andrew Marks of TQ Ventures called the founding team “extraordinary” and praised the company’s ability to execute on a massive opportunity.

Linq operates at the intersection of messaging, AI, and business productivity. Its platform allows AI assistants to live in familiar apps while retaining reliability and functionality.

The future of AI messaging

As AI capabilities improve, more businesses may adopt messaging-first models for assistants. This could make traditional apps less relevant while keeping communication seamless and convenient.

Messaging apps may become the default home for AI, allowing people to manage tasks, get answers, and interact with intelligent systems in one place. Linq aims to lead this shift by enabling AI wherever customers already communicate.

AI Bubble at the center of the screen and in background a manager working on a computer — *Source: Depositphotos*

With $20 million in fresh funding, a growing customer base, and a clear platform vision, Linq is poised to define the future of conversational AI. The startup may sooake AI messaging a part of everyday life.

Texting your way into the AI era

Linq proves that the future of AI does not require downloading another app or learning a new interface. By embedding intelligent assistants directly inside messaging platforms, it is making AI interactions seamless, intuitive, and ready for everyday use by anyone.

This approach also reduces friction for users, letting them get help, answers, and support without leaving apps they already use. People can schedule, ask questions, or complete tasks as easily as texting a friend.

The platform’s flexibility means companies are not limited to one messaging channel. Linq is preparing to expand across Slack, WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, email, and more, reaching customers wherever they already communicate.

Ultimately, Linq is showing that conversational AI can become part of daily life. Removing barriers makes advanced technology feel familiar, approachable, and genuinely useful for millions of people.

This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.