Bengaluru, May 23, 2025 — Artificial intelligence startup Zoca has announced a successful $6 million Series A funding round led by Accel, with participation from GTMfund, Elevation Capital, and Better Capital. The company aims to revolutionize hyperlocal businesses—such as salons, spas, and wellness centers—by providing AI-driven tools to enhance their online presence and customer engagement.
Transforming Local Businesses with AI
Founded in 2024 by Ashish Verma and Robin Chauhan, Zoca offers an AI-powered platform designed to assist hyperlocal businesses in automating marketing tasks, managing customer interactions, and optimizing appointment scheduling. The platform’s AI agents handle various functions, including search engine optimization, social media management, and client follow-ups, allowing business owners to focus on their core services.
In its first year of operation, Zoca has supported over 1,000 businesses, facilitating more than 120,000 appointments and generating over $10 million in client revenue. The company’s approach addresses common challenges faced by small businesses, such as limited digital visibility and inefficient customer communication.
Strategic Investment for Expansion
The recent funding round brings Zoca’s total capital raised to $8.8 million, including a previous pre-seed round. The investment will be utilized to expand the company’s AI capabilities, deepen platform integrations, and extend services to additional verticals beyond the beauty and wellness industry.
Poorvi Vijay, Principal at Elevation Capital, expressed confidence in Zoca’s mission, stating, “Zoca arms every neighborhood business with a 24/7 AI growth engine. Ashish and Robin’s passion and unique insights to serve this underserved market and help them transform with AI is truly outstanding.”
A Focused Approach to AI Integration
Unlike generic AI tools, Zoca’s platform is tailored specifically for hyperlocal businesses, offering a comprehensive solution that automates the entire customer journey—from discovery to booking and retention. This focused approach has allowed Zoca to achieve significant traction in a short period, demonstrating the effectiveness of specialized AI applications in niche markets.
By concentrating on the beauty and wellness sector, Zoca has been able to develop features that directly address the unique needs of these businesses, setting the stage for potential expansion into other service-oriented industries.
Looking Ahead
With the new funding, Zoca plans to enhance its AI agent architecture, integrate with additional platforms, and explore opportunities in other verticals. The company’s goal is to become an indispensable tool for hyperlocal businesses, enabling them to compete effectively in the digital age.
As AI continues to permeate various aspects of business operations, Zoca’s success highlights the potential for targeted AI solutions to drive growth and efficiency in traditionally underserved markets.
For more information, visit Zoca’s official website.