ToumAI, a Moroccan artificial intelligence spin-off from AIOX Labs, has secured $1 million in pre-seed funding to advance its mission of elevating African languages and insights. The investment round was led by Launch Africa Ventures, with participation from Madica by Flourish Ventures, Orange Ventures, Digital Africa, GO Ventures, and business angel Bruno Akpaka, along with support from Bpifrance.
Founded in June 2020, ToumAI develops AI-powered solutions designed to improve customer experience (CX) by addressing language barriers and cultural nuances. The company’s HolistiCX suite allows businesses to tailor interactions based on generational preferences, emotional profiles, communication channels, and cultural backgrounds. ToumAI’s technology focuses on enhancing voice commands in local languages, improving interactive voice response (IVR) systems, and enabling advanced churn detection. The company aggregates data across departments to provide actionable insights, quality control, and recommendations for CX improvement.
ToumAI’s focus on multilingual expression and cultural sensitivity distinguishes it in a market where many AI solutions struggle with these complexities. The company claims its technology can understand thousands of dialects, enabling businesses to connect with diverse customer bases more effectively. This capability is particularly relevant in regions with numerous local languages and dialects, such as Morocco and other parts of Africa. As COO Youcef Rahmani explained, the genesis of ToumAI lies in the founders’ personal experiences with the marginalization of local African languages. “Growing up, they often felt the world sidelined these languages… which overshadowed the rich cultural heritage and communication potential of their native tongues,” he said.
ToumAI recognizes the resurgence of local languages in various media and its profound business implications. With significant illiteracy rates across Africa, particularly in sub-Saharan West Africa, a substantial portion of the population relies on oral communication. ToumAI aims to tap into this “goldmine of insights” by enabling businesses to understand and engage with these communities. “This isn’t just about data; it’s about inclusivity, enabling the unbanked and often marginalized sections of society to interact with modern technologies and participate in Africa’s digital transformation,” Mr. Rahmani added. The company’s participation in the prestigious CATAPULT: Inclusion Africa 2023 program further underscores its commitment to inclusivity.
The company has already expanded its operations to Morocco, Senegal, and Malta, with plans to enter Tunisia soon. ToumAI has secured partnerships with several organizations, including AIOX Labs, Open Startups, Incubateur Provence-Côte d’Azur, Wenov, OrangeFab, and Inwi Innov. Key sectors such as banks, telecom companies, and infrastructure funds have recognized the potential of ToumAI’s technology to enhance customer satisfaction and broaden data collection by bridging the linguistic gap.
The €1 million investment will be used to further develop the HolistiCX suite, expand into new markets, and grow ToumAI’s team. The company’s co-founders, Youcef Rahmani (COO) and Imade Benelallam, emphasized their commitment to making CX more inclusive and adaptable. They highlighted the contributions of their team, which includes PhDs and industry experts, and acknowledged the support received from investors, clients, and partners. ToumAI also benefits from its participation in programs like the Intel AI Liftoff and NVIDIA AI Inception Program.
While the company’s technology has garnered attention and investment, the long-term success of ToumAI will depend on its ability to effectively scale its operations and demonstrate the tangible benefits of its AI-powered CX solutions to a wider range of businesses. Competition in the AI-driven CX market is intensifying, and ToumAI will need to continuously innovate and adapt to maintain its competitive edge. The company’s focus on inclusivity and sustainability, however, positions it well to address the growing demand for ethical and culturally sensitive AI solutions in Africa and beyond.