ConverseNow boosts restaurant-ordering AI with $15M raise

All the sessions from Transform 2021 are available on-demand now. ConverseNow, a startup developing a platform that automates orders at quick service drive-thru windows, today announced that it closed a $15 million series A funding round led by Craft Ventures, with participation from LiveOak Venture Partners, Tensility Venture Partners, Knoll Ventures, Bala Investments, 2048 Ventures, Bridge Investments, Moneta Ventures, and angel investors. The proceeds bring the company's total raised to date to $18.3 million, which CEO Vinay Shukla says will be put toward scaling and creating technologies like "digital line-busting" -- some of which will roll out later this year. As restaurants recover from the pandemic, many are reimagining their channel strategy for ordering as well as the in-store guest experience. Labor availability and the supply chain are affecting those decisions, as well as challenges like inaccurate orders.