Yellow.ai

{{Short description|Yellow.ai is a company in San Mateo, California that focuses on customer service automation}}

{{Infobox company

| name = Yellow.ai

| logo = Yellow.ai Logo.png

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| former_name = Yellow Messenger

| type = Privately held company

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| industry = Software

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| founded = 2016 in Bangalore, India

| founder = Raghu Ravinutala
Jayakishore Gollareddy
Rashid Khan

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| hq_location_city = San Mateo, California

| hq_location_country = United States

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| area_served = Worldwide

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| num_employees = 650+

| num_employees_year = 2024{{cite news |last1=Ghosh |first1=Debangana |title=Conversational AI start-up Yellow.ai rolls out ESOP worth $43 million|url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/conversational-ai-start-up-yellow-ai-rolls-out-esop-worth-43-million-9348711.html |publisher=Moneycontrol.com |date=October 18, 2022}}

| parent = Bitonic Technology Labs Pvt. Ltd.

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| website = {{URL|https://yellow.ai/}}

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Yellow.ai, formerly Yellow Messenger, is a multinational company headquartered in San Mateo, California focused on customer service automation.{{Cite news |last=Roy |first=Annapurna |date=2024-01-23 |title=Yellow.ai deploys 30% of global generative AI bots domestically |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/yellow-ais-genai-adoption-skyrockets-in-india-paving-the-way-for-revenue-boom/articleshow/107060397.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-03-03 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}} It was founded in 2016 and provides an AI platform for automating customer support experiences across chat and voice. The platform supports more than 135 languages across more than 35 channels.{{cite news |last1=Andersen |first1=Ted |date=September 6, 2021 |title=This AI company's chatbot speaks 120 languages and is still learning more |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2021/09/02/yellow-messenger-ai-san-mateo-chatbot.html |publisher=Bizjournals}}{{cite news |last1=Rizvi |first1=Muzaffar |date=September 10, 2021 |title=AI-led automation set to fuel yellow.ai expansion globally |url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/ai-led-automation-set-to-fuel-yellow-ai-expansion-globally |publisher=Khaleej Times}}

History

Yellow.ai was founded in 2016 by Raghu Ravinutala, Jaya Kishore Reddy Gollareddy, and Rashid Khan in Bangalore, India. Raghavendra Ravinutala and Jaya Kishore Reddy Gollareddy left their full-time jobs to establish Yellow.ai, and they met Rashid Khan at a college hackathon, where he began working with them. By January 2016, Yellow.ai had acquired 50,000 customers.{{Cite web |last=Roy |first=Debroop |date=2020-06-02 |title=Using Artificial Intelligence, This Start-Up Is Helping Enterprises Connect Better |url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/en-in/technology/using-artificial-intelligence-this-start-up-is-helping/351348 |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=Entrepreneur |language=en}} The same year, the company rolled out a model of the application for B2B companies. This version of the software and platform was intended to support voice and chat interactions for enterprises.{{Cite web |last=Bardhan |first=Saptak |date=2023-02-09 |title=Artificial Intelligence Take-Over |url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/en-in/entrepreneurs/artificial-intelligence-take-over/444639 |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=Entrepreneur |language=en}} In 2016, the company joined Microsoft's accelerator program and SAP Startup Studio.{{cite news |last1=Purkayastha |first1=Banasree |date=June 23, 2022 |title=Yellow.AI: Offering human touch to overcome hurdles of platform and language |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/technology/yellow-ai-offering-human-touch-to-overcome-hurdles-of-platform-and-language/2569773/ |publisher=The Financial Express}}{{cite news |last1=Khedekarmar |first1=Naina |date=March 19, 2021 |title=Yellow Messenger: Artificial Intelligence-based app to discover, shop for products |url=https://www.firstpost.com/tech/news-analysis/yellow-messenger-artificial-intelligence-based-app-to-discover-shop-for-products-3679225.html |publisher=Firstpost}}

In April 2021, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the company developed chatbots to assist governments with vaccinations.{{cite news |last1=Arakali |first1=Harichandan |date=February 14, 2022 |title=Rashid Khan: Building for the connected world |url=https://www.forbesindia.com/article/30-under-30-2022/rashid-khan-building-for-the-connected-world/73647/1 |work=Forbes India}} It launched Yellow Messenger Care to create omnichannel chatbots related to COVID-19 assistance, which helped NGOs and hospitals in their crisis management efforts.{{cite news |date=April 28, 2021 |title=Yellow Messenger to build Covid-19 assistance chatbots |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/tech-bytes/yellow-messenger-to-build-covid-19-assistance-chatbots/articleshow/82293306.cms |publisher=The Economic Times}} In June 2021, the company rebranded itself from Yellow Messenger to Yellow.ai.{{cite news |last1=Sangani |first1=Priyanka |date=June 21, 2021 |title=Yellow Messenger rebrands to yellow.ai; launches voice bots |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/startups/yellow-messenger-rebrands-to-yellow-ai-launches-voice-bots/articleshow/83707906.cms |publisher=The Economic Times}} In 2022, Yellow.ai launched DynamicNLP, which was designed to eliminate the necessity for NLP model training.{{Cite web |last=Dey |first=Victor |date=2022-08-18 |title=Can conversational AI skip NLP training? Yellow AI has a plan |url=https://venturebeat.com/ai/can-conversational-ai-reduce-nlp-model-training-yellow-ai-has-a-plan/ |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=VentureBeat |language=en-US}} In 2023, Yellow.ai announced the launch of its Dynamic Automation Platform (DAP) and revealed a new logo as part of a larger rebranding strategy.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-25 |title=Yellow AI launches dynamic automation platform powered by generative AI for enterprises |url=https://venturebeat.com/ai/yellow-ai-launches-dynamic-automation-platform-powered-by-generative-ai-for-enterprises/ |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=VentureBeat |language=en-US}} In May 2023, the company also launched a proprietary small language model called as YellowG, a generative AI platform for automation workflows.{{Cite news |last=Lohchab |first=Himanshi |date=2024-02-24 |title=Generative AI making customer support conversations more human, leading to wider adoption |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/generative-ai-making-customer-support-conversations-more-human-leading-to-wider-adoption/articleshow/107951061.cms |access-date=2025-01-19 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}{{Cite web |last=Dey |first=Victor |date=2023-05-18 |title=Yellow AI launches YellowG, a generative AI platform for automation workflows |url=https://venturebeat.com/ai/yellow-ai-launches-yellowg-a-generative-ai-platform-for-automation-workflows/ |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=VentureBeat |language=en-US}} The company deployed over 120 generative AI bots for businesses in 2023.

= Partnership and client base =

In January 2019, the company collaborated with Microsoft to work on transforming its voice automation using Azure Al Speech Services and Natural language processing (NLP) tools.{{cite news |date=January 19, 2021 |title=Microsoft, Yellow Messenger team up to transform voice automation solutions |url=https://tech.hindustantimes.com/tech/news/microsoft-yellow-messenger-team-up-to-transform-voice-automation-solutions-71611057600768.html |publisher=Hindustan Times}} In February 2022, the company partnered with Tech Mahindra to develop enterprise AI technology.{{cite news |date=February 7, 2022 |title=Tech Mahindra partners with Yellow.ai to bolster enterprise customer experiences with conversational AI |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/information-tech/tech-mahindra-partners-with-yellow-ai-to-bolster-enterprise-customer-experiences-with-conversational-ai/articleshow/89400258.cms?from=mdr |publisher=The Economic Times}} It partnered with the e-commerce company Unicommerce in July 2020.{{cite news |last1=Sil |first1=Debarghya |date=July 2, 2020 |title=Unicommerce Partners With Yellow Messenger To Streamline Direct-to-Consumer Selling Operations for Brands |url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/en-in/news-and-trends/unicommerce-partners-with-yellow-messenger-to-streamline/352736 |publisher=Entrepreneur}} In February 2022, Edelweiss General Insurance launched its AI Voice Bot, using Yellow.ai's technology.{{cite news |date=February 3, 2022 |title=Edelweiss General Insurance launches AI Voice Bot for motor claim registrations |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/money-and-banking/edelweiss-general-insurance-launches-ai-voice-bot-for-motor-claim-registration/article64964694.ece |publisher=Business Line |agency=The Hindu}} Yellow.ai implemented its AI-based customer service technology in Urja, a virtual assistant launched by the public sector company BPCL.{{cite news |last1=Rekhi |first1=Dia |date=October 19, 2021 |title=Yellow.ai sees massive surge in clients through Covid-19 period |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/startups/yellow-ai-sees-massive-surge-in-clients-through-covid-19-period/articleshow/87129297.cms |publisher=The Economic Times}} The company has also formed partnerships with Accenture, Infosys, TCS, and Wipro.{{Cite news |date=2022-02-07 |title=Tech Mahindra partners with Yellow.ai to bolster enterprise customer experiences with conversational AI |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/information-tech/tech-mahindra-partners-with-yellow-ai-to-bolster-enterprise-customer-experiences-with-conversational-ai/articleshow/89400258.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2023-06-06 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}{{Cite web |title=TCS, Infosys, HCLTech, Tech Mahindra partner with Yellow.AI for automation solutions |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/technology/tcs-infosys-hcltech-tech-mahindra-partner-with-yellow-ai-for-automation-solutions-article-12744773.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241021222521/https://www.moneycontrol.com/technology/tcs-infosys-hcltech-tech-mahindra-partner-with-yellow-ai-for-automation-solutions-article-12744773.html |archive-date=2024-10-21 |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=Moneycontrol |language=en-US}}

Its clients include Sony,{{Cite news |date=2022-11-23 |title=Sony has a new voice assistant in India: How it works and all other details |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/gadgets-news/sony-has-a-new-voice-assistant-in-india-how-it-works-and-all-other-details/articleshow/95716119.cms |access-date=2023-06-06 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}} Flipkart, Grab, Skoda, Honda, Domino's Pizza, Bajaj Finance, Volkswagen, HDFC Bank, Ferrellgas, Indigo, Adani Capital,{{Cite news |last=Rekhi |first=Dia |date=2021-10-19 |title=Yellow.ai sees massive surge in clients through Covid-19 period |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/startups/yellow-ai-sees-massive-surge-in-clients-through-covid-19-period/articleshow/87129297.cms |access-date=2023-06-06 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}} Haldiram, Lulu Group, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories and Concentrix.{{cite news |last1=Andersen |first1=Ted |date=September 6, 2021 |title=This AI company's chatbot speaks 120 languages and is still learning more |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2021/09/02/yellow-messenger-ai-san-mateo-chatbot.html |publisher=Bizjournals}}{{cite news |date=June 12, 2019 |title=Yellow Messenger raises Series A Funding of $4 mln from Lightspeed, others |url=https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/yellow-messenger-raises-series-a-funding-of-4-mln-from-lightspeed-others-1560346058739.html |publisher=Livemint}}{{Cite news |last=Rekhi |first=Dia |date=2021-10-19 |title=Yellow.ai sees massive surge in clients through Covid-19 period |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/startups/yellow-ai-sees-massive-surge-in-clients-through-covid-19-period/articleshow/87129297.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2023-06-06 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}

Funding

In June 2019, Yellow.ai completed a series A funding of $4 million led by Lightspeed Venture Partners and angel investors such as Phanindra Sama, founder of RedBus, Anand Swaminathan, senior partner, McKinsey & Company, Limeroad founder Prashant Malik, and Snapdeal founder Kunal Bahl.{{cite news |title=Yellow Messenger raises Series A Funding of $4 mln from Lightspeed, others |url=https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/yellow-messenger-raises-series-a-funding-of-4-mln-from-lightspeed-others-1560346058739.html |publisher=Livemint |date=June 12, 2019}}

In April 2020, it raised $20 million in a series B round led by Lightspeed Ventures Partners and Lightspeed India Partners.{{cite news |last1=Matney |first1=Lucas |title=Conversational AI startup Yellow Messenger raises $20M Series B from Lightspeed |url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/04/16/conversational-ai-startup-yellow-messenger-raises-20m-series-b-from-lightspeed/ |publisher=Techcrunch |date=April 16, 2020}} In August 2021, the company raised $78.15 million in its Series C funding round led by WestBridge Capital, Sapphire Ventures, Salesforce Ventures, and Lightspeed Venture Partners.{{cite news |title=yellow.ai raises $78.15 million in Series C round |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/funding/yellow-ai-raises-78-15-million-in-series-c-round/articleshow/85037118.cms |publisher=The Economic Times |date=August 4, 2021}} The company has raised a total of $102 million so far.{{cite news |last1=Abrar |first1=Peerzada |title=Conversational AI firm yellow.ai raises $78.15 mn in Series C round |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/conversational-ai-firm-yellow-ai-raises-78-15-mn-in-funding-121080401459_1.html |publisher=Business Standard |date=August 4, 2021}}

Awards

The company won the Frost & Sullivan Technology Innovation Leadership Award in 2021.{{cite web |date=October 2021 |title=Yellow.ai Recognized for 2021 Technology Innovation Leadership |url=https://www.frost.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Yellow.ai-Award-Writeup.pdf |publisher=Frost & Sullivan}} Entrepreneur magazine named Yellow.ai the Best AI Startup of the Year at the Entrepreneur India Startup Awards 2022.{{cite news |date=February 25, 2022 |title=Awards Winners 2022 |url=https://www.entrepreneurindia.com/startup/awards_winner.php |publisher=Entrepreneur India}} It was awarded Best Chat/Conversational Bot/Tool during the MarTech Leadership Summit 2022.{{cite web |title=MarTech Leadership Awards – 2022 |url=https://www.kamikaze.co.in/martech/archives/awards/2022.html}} The Financial Express awarded it the Best Use of Conversational AI – Gold at the Financial Express FuTech Awards in 2022.{{cite news |date=2022 |title=FuTech Awards 2022 |url=https://cdn-microsites.indianexpress.com/storage/files/063608abcc9c38f633fe.pdf |publisher=Indian Express}} The company received an honorable mention in the automation solution of the Year category at the CCW Excellence Awards 2022.{{cite web |title=2022 CCW Excellence Awards winners |url=https://www.customercontactweekdigital.com/events-customercontactweekawards/2022-winners |publisher=CCW}}

Forbes magazine added Yellow.ai's co-founder Rashid Khan to Forbes India 30 Under 30 2022{{cite news |date=February 14, 2022 |title=It was very fortunate to be a success just out of college: Rashid Khan—Forbes India 30 Under 30 |url=https://www.forbesindia.com/video/30-under-30-2022/it-was-very-fortunate-to-be-a-success-just-out-of-college-rashid-khanforbes-india-30-under-30/73673 |work=Forbes India}} and Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 2022{{cite news |date=2022 |title=Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 |url=https://www.forbes.com/30-under-30/2022/asia/enterprise-technology?profile=rashid-khan |work=Forbes}} lists, as one of the young game changers disrupting the Enterprise Technology industry. Hurun Research Institute listed the company in its 'Future Unicorn Index 2022' list for India.{{cite news |last1=Bhalla |first1=Kritti |date=June 29, 2022 |title=Zepto, Dunzo among the next 122 unicorns from India — here's the complete Hurun list |url=https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/zepto-dunzo-among-the-next-122-unicorns-from-india-heres-the-complete-hurun-list/articleshow/92545281.cms |publisher=Business Insider}} In 2023, co-founder & CEO, Raghu Ravinutala was recognized as one of the top 50 SaaS CEOs by The Software Report.{{Cite web |last=jirehl |date=2023-10-24 |title=The Top 50 SaaS CEOs of 2023 {{!}} The Software Report |url=https://www.thesoftwarereport.com/the-top-50-saas-ceos-of-2023/ |access-date=2024-02-13 |language=en-US}} Yellow.ai ranked 13th in the Bay Area and 88th nationally on the 2023 Deloitte Technology Fast 500 for North America.{{Cite web |title=2023 Technology Fast 500 Award Winners |url=https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/technology-media-and-telecommunications/articles/fast500-winners.html |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=Deloitte United States |language=en-us}}