Palona AI, a New York City-based startup specializing in AI-driven customer engagement, has officially launched alongside a $10 million seed funding round. The investment, led by UpHonest Capital, Fusion Fund, NEO Investment Partners, and other strategic backers, will fuel the company’s mission to help businesses enhance their customer relationships and sales through proprietary AI technology.
Co-founded by Maria Zhang, Steve Liu, and Tim Howes, Palona develops AI systems that integrate advanced multi-agent and multimodal models with emotional intelligence capabilities. These solutions enable brands to create highly personalized, empathetic interactions with customers while maintaining brand consistency. Zhang stated that Palona aims to replace the “shopping doomscroll” with individualized experiences that build lasting relationships and increase sales.
Palona’s technology is already being used by clients like Wyze, which employs its AI to deliver personalized buying journeys, and Pizza My Heart, where the platform has brought a virtual brand ambassador to life to engage with customers through voice and text. The AI systems are designed to improve day-one sales, cart sizes, and overall customer loyalty, helping businesses like MINDZERO, a wellness studio, deliver authentic, conversational customer experiences.
The company’s innovative approach positions it as a key player in transforming how consumer-facing businesses engage with customers using AI.
