• Audience, a marketing automation solution that provides a robot capable of generating handwriting notes, has raised USD 10 million in Series A funding led by Next Coast Ventures. This brings its total raised funds to USD 12.8 million. 

• Audience specializes in outbound marketing where its robotic handwritten notes can produce marketing material at scale. This is combined with a marketing campaign automation platform that includes lead generation, automated followups via email and Linkedin, customization solutions such as adding QR labels as well as real-time tracking and analytics. The firm claims its handwritten notes have a read rate of 90% and 6x higher response rate compared to regular direct mail. The firm solutions are primarily used by real estate agencies including Ojo, Emortgage Capital, David Siddons Group, Illustrated Properties, and Sotheby’s. 

• The firm plans to use the funds to further expand its operations and geographic reach as well as for further product development.  

Analyst QuickTake : With the ever-expanding number of digital channels to choose from, firms are looking to stand out from the competition and reach more customers. Audience’s handwritten notes provide a unique and niche marketing opportunity that may give it a competitive edge.