Running a small business often requires juggling numerous tasks with limited resources. Enso, a new startup founded by Mickey Haslavsky, aims to address this challenge by providing small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) with access to AI agents that can manage repetitive tasks efficiently. On Tuesday, Enso announced a $6 million seed funding round, signaling its emergence from stealth mode.
Enso offers a diverse array of preprogrammed AI agents tailored for specific industries. These agents are designed to handle tasks ranging from search engine optimization and social media engagement to competitor tracking, newsletter writing, invoice management, and Amazon store optimization. Currently, Enso has customized agents for about 70 different industries, offering more than 1,000 bots in total.
Haslavsky, who previously co-founded the API development platform RapidAPI, was inspired by his parents’ experience running a small music production company and a secondary school. He realized that AI agents could bridge the gap between small and large businesses by providing automated services on top of existing software through seamless integrations.
“When I started getting into this AI agent space, I realized that if it works, it can bridge the gap because it can give services to smaller businesses on top of other software, and that’s where the integrations come in,” Haslavsky explained. He noted that many AI agents are currently inadequate, but the potential for business automation at a fraction of the cost of traditional agencies presents a significant opportunity.
Combining Predictability and Creativity
Enso’s bots blend the reliability of traditional workflow automation with the creative capabilities of large language models (LLMs). For instance, an agent managing an Instagram account would follow a predefined sequence of tasks, with the LLM generating the content and design, while a traditional scheduler manages posting times.
Enso’s podcast agent exemplifies this approach by scripting podcasts, utilizing ElevenLabs for text-to-speech, adding music intros and outros, and creating visual versions with a video service.
Enso employs an à la carte pricing model, charging between $29 and $79 per month per agent. This model is designed to be budget-friendly for SMBs and to simplify the purchasing process.
However, the effectiveness of Enso’s bots in real-world scenarios remains to be seen. In addition, there are concerns about whether businesses will trust AI agents with crucial functions and if the results will require significant manual polishing. On the other hand, agents producing reports or managing SEO might be easier to justify, as these tasks are less dependent on perceived authenticity.
Future Developments and Seed Funding
Enso plans to introduce a marketplace for third-party agents and is developing low-code/no-code visual tools for creating these agents. The company’s immediate focus is on foundational integrations to support this expansion.
Enso’s $6 million seed funding round was led by NFX, with participation from notable angel investors, including Yossi Matias, head of Google Research, and Shmil Levy, former GP at Sequoia Capital. Gigi Levy-Weiss, partner at NFX Ventures, emphasized the importance of democratizing AI for SMBs, stating, “Enso is one of the first companies recognizing this need and putting enterprise-grade AI in the hands of emerging companies.”
Enso aims to revolutionize how small and medium-sized businesses operate by providing accessible and affordable AI agents tailored to specific industry needs. With significant seed funding and a vision of integrating AI seamlessly into daily business operations, Enso is poised to empower SMBs to thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape.
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