Unify, a Graduate of the OpenAI Converge Accelerator, Secures $12M Funding for Innovative ‘Warm Outbound’ Messaging Solutions

Unify, an innovative AI-driven startup focused on leveraging data to connect with prospective buyers, has successfully closed a $12 million Series A funding round. The round was led by existing investors Emergence Capital and Thrive Capital, with participation from the OpenAI Startup Fund, Neo, Abstract, 20Sales, and AltCap.

Founded just 20 months ago, Unify emerged from OpenAI’s Converge I accelerator program last year and subsequently secured nearly $7 million in seed funding from its initial investors.

Co-founder Austin Hughes, who previously led the sales outbound program at Ramp, recognized that cold email outreach was becoming less effective over the past decade. This insight inspired him to enhance how sales, marketing, and revenue operations teams utilize data to engage customers with personalized messaging at the optimal moment in their purchasing journey.

Hughes partnered with Connor Heggie, a machine learning research engineer at Scale AI, to develop AI-enhanced messaging that empowers sales teams to generate leads and accelerate deal closures.

While the concept of AI-based sales development is gaining traction, with startups like 11x.ai, Reggie.ai, and Artisan attracting significant investment, Hughes emphasizes that Unify takes a different approach. He describes the company as focusing on "warm outbound" messaging rather than positioning itself as an AI Sales Development Representative (AISDR). “We don’t compete with AISDRs,” Hughes stated. “Unify allows for precise customization of every element: the copy, messaging, and the data sources used.”

Unify harnesses data from CRMs and other data repositories to craft impactful messages tailored to prospective buyers. Additionally, it mines online resources to identify potential leads and signals indicating a readiness to purchase.

Rather than competing in the messaging space, Hughes cites companies like ZoomInfo and Outbound.io as benchmarks for Unify's vision. “We view ourselves as a data company,” he explained.

Unify's distinctive approach to AI-powered sales outreach is not just theoretical; the company is experiencing rapid growth. Its revenue has reached the millions, with established clients such as Justworks and Lattice proudly displayed on its website, showcasing its success in the sector.