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Listen Labs raises $69M after viral billboard hiring stunt to scale AI customer interviews

sourceVentureBeat AI
calendar_todayJanuary 16, 2026
schedule2 min read
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Listen Labs Secures $69M to Revolutionize AI-Powered Customer Research

Summary

Listen Labs has successfully raised $69 million in Series B funding to enhance its AI-driven platform for customer interviews, following a viral billboard campaign that attracted significant attention. The funding round, led by Ribbit Capital, values the company at $500 million and aims to scale its innovative approach to market research.

Key Points

  • Listen Labs raised $69 million in Series B funding, valuing the company at $500 million.
  • The funding round was led by Ribbit Capital, with participation from Evantic, Sequoia Capital, Conviction, and Pear VC.
  • The company has grown annualized revenue by 15x in just nine months, conducting over one million AI-powered interviews.
  • Listen Labs uses AI to conduct in-depth interviews, providing insights in hours rather than weeks.
  • The platform addresses issues of fraud in market research, reducing low-quality responses to nearly zero.
  • Major clients include Microsoft, Simple Modern, and Chubbies, who have benefited from faster insights.
  • The market research industry is valued at approximately $140 billion, with legacy players vulnerable to disruption by Listen Labs' approach.

Analysis

Listen Labs' innovative use of AI in market research presents a significant shift in how companies can gather customer insights more efficiently. By addressing the limitations of traditional methods, the platform not only enhances the quality of data collected but also accelerates the decision-making process for businesses.

Conclusion

IT professionals should consider leveraging AI-driven platforms like Listen Labs to improve customer research processes, reduce turnaround times, and enhance data quality. Embracing such technologies can lead to more informed product development and marketing strategies.