Paris-based startup Phacet has raised €4 million in a seed round to further develop its AI platform tailored to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The investment was backed by a group of 148 prominent business angels from sectors including tech, finance, insurance, and retail, alongside leading venture capital funds. Motier Ventures, Aglaé Ventures, Emblem, Origins, Kima Ventures, Financière Saint James, Robin Capital, and BetterAngle were key contributors to the round.
Empowering SMEs with AI
Phacet specializes in creating personalized AI solutions to streamline business operations for SMEs. The company’s platform helps businesses build and deploy tailored AI applications, integrating artificial intelligence into everyday processes to drive efficiency and productivity. Phacet’s AI solutions focus on automating repetitive tasks, allowing employees to focus on higher-value work, such as strategic decision-making and customer engagement.
One of Phacet’s standout features is its AI Bootcamp, which allows client teams to work closely with Phacet’s AI engineers. This collaborative model ensures that the AI solutions are tailored to the unique needs of each business, optimizing workflows across various departments such as finance, customer service, and e-commerce.
Notable Investors and Backing
The €4 million seed round attracted an impressive roster of business angels, including Thibaud Elzière (Hexa), Des Traynor (Intercom), Florian Douetteau (Dataiku), Philippe Corrot (Mirakl), Rodolphe Ardant (Spendesk), Damien Marc (JPB Système), and Guillaume Moubèche (Lempire). These investors bring a wealth of expertise in scaling software and AI businesses.
Nicolas Marchais, Phacet’s Founder and CEO, highlighted the significance of this investment, stating: “The support of our investors will allow us to advance our mission to build a bridge between fast-evolving AI models and the concrete needs of SMEs. This will enable them to move from the desire to integrate AI to its implementation across different departments.”
Investor Thibaud Elzière praised the company’s holistic approach to integrating AI into SMEs, emphasizing that Phacet is not just a provider of AI models, but a partner that helps businesses identify areas of high impact and create user-friendly interfaces for employees to interact with AI seamlessly.
Success Stories and Expansion Plans
Phacet has already demonstrated the value of its solutions through collaborations with companies like Smartbox, a European e-commerce brand. Smartbox saw a transformation in its e-commerce, finance, and customer service operations thanks to the AI applications developed in partnership with Phacet. The success of these implementations has positioned Phacet as a leader in personalized AI solutions for SMEs.
Looking ahead, Phacet aims to roll out a broader range of ready-to-use AI applications by 2025, with a focus on industries such as e-commerce, retail, finance, and services. The startup’s ultimate mission is to make AI accessible, flexible, and transformative for business efficiency, helping SMEs compete in an increasingly automated world.
The Future of AI in SMEs
As AI continues to evolve, more SMEs are recognizing its potential to transform their operations, enhance customer experiences, and boost profitability. Phacet is uniquely positioned to help businesses harness this power, providing both the tools and expertise needed to implement AI effectively. The startup’s ability to co-develop AI solutions with clients ensures that each application is fully integrated into existing business processes, delivering tangible results.
With this new funding, Phacet is set to accelerate the adoption of AI solutions in the SME sector, bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology and the real-world needs of small and medium-sized businesses.
Sources
- Tech.eu – https://tech.eu/2024/09/23/phacet-raises-4m-for-sme-tailored-saas/
- Tech Funding News – https://techfundingnews.com/french-startup-phacet-raises-e4m-to-help-smes-build-personalised-ai-solutions/