New York City-based cultural AI company Qloo has secured $25 million in Series C funding, marking a significant milestone in its mission to transform the landscape of taste prediction and cultural intelligence.

The financing round was spearheaded by AI Ventures, with contributions from AXA Venture Partners, Eldridge, and Moderne Ventures. With this infusion of capital, Qloo is poised to democratize access to AI technology, paving the way for the introduction of a user-friendly, self-service interface later this year. This interface aims to make consumer and taste analytics readily available to small and mid-sized enterprises, as well as individuals.

“At Qloo, we’ve always been driven by a fundamental question: How can we enrich human experiences by accurately predicting nuanced tastes?” said Alex Elias, Founder and CEO of Qloo. “While many tech companies rely on recommendation algorithms built around single cultural domains, our approach is different. We recognize that consumer preferences are multifaceted and complex.”

Drawing from a decade of expertise, Qloo has developed a sophisticated AI platform that analyzes anonymized consumer taste data across various categories, including music, film, television, podcasts, dining, nightlife, fashion, consumer products, books, and travel. By leveraging machine learning and insights from Neuroaesthetics research, Qloo’s proprietary API delivers personalized recommendations that drive sales, inform marketing strategies, guide location decisions, and strengthen brand identities.

“Our vision is to celebrate the diverse spectrum of human tastes,” Elias explained. “From the bustling streets of Cape Town to the vibrant neighborhoods of Singapore, preferences vary widely. Qloo is dedicated to uncovering these nuances and empowering businesses to create meaningful, tailored experiences.”

Beyond serving corporate clients, Qloo remains committed to its mission of empowering individuals to explore their own tastes and preferences. The company’s recent acquisition of TasteDive underscores this commitment, providing users with an ad-free platform to discover content aligned with their unique interests.

“While our journey has been marked by success, our Series C funding represents an opportunity to scale our operations and seize the burgeoning opportunities in the generative AI landscape,” Elias remarked. “With expanded engineering capabilities and a bolstered sales team, Qloo is primed to lead the charge towards a more human-centric AI future.”

Looking ahead, Qloo is set to unveil enhancements to its API experience, along with a self-service platform aimed at democratizing access to cultural intelligence. As the company embarks on this next chapter of growth and innovation, Elias invites businesses and individuals alike to join them on their journey towards a more personalized and enriching digital experience.