News

AEO startup Profound hits unicorn valuation, raises $180M Series D 7 months after last round

Published

3 weeks ago

September 15, 2026

Profound, which builds marketing software to help brands appear in AI search results, on Tuesday said it has raised a $180 million Series D at a $1.8 billion valuation, less than seven months after it raised a $96 million Series C.

Sequoia and Kleiner Perkins led the round, and existing investors, including Lightspeed Venture Partners, Khosla Ventures and South Park Commons, also participated.

Launched two years ago, Profound started as an analytics platform, and has since expanded to help companies research and create marketing strategies. The startup helps businesses understand how AI helps consumers discover their brands.

It’s part of a wave of startups in the GEO/AEO space (generative engine optimization and answer engine optimization, respectively), where companies try to find ways to surface their products in the AI systems customers are increasingly using for search.

The company says its revenue has increased by 3x in the past six months, and it now has more than 1,000 enterprise customers, which include Comcast, The Estée Lauder Companies, and Walmart.

Related Topics:180M AEO hits months Profound raises Series startup unicorn valuation

Up Next

Six in 10 Nigerian domestic flights delayed in August — Report

Don't Miss

I won’t help anyone win elections in their states – Wike

Click to comment

News

2027: Why I will rather back Tinubu than Atiku – Babachir Lawal

Published

2 hours ago

October 6, 2026

PlateauReports

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Babachir Lawal, has explained why he would rather support President Bola Tinubu than Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

Speaking during an interview on the Naija Unfiltered Podcast, Lawal said Nigeria could collapse chaotically if Atiku becomes president in 2027.

Recall that Lawal recently joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, after resigning from the ADC following the emergence of Atiku as its presidential candidate.

“I’d rather go with Bola than Atiku because when Nigeria crashes with Bola, it might be an orderly crash, but with Atiku, it would be a chaotic one,” Lawal said.

Business

The Extra Mile: PenCom marks 2026 Customer Service Week

Published

7 hours ago

October 6, 2026

PlateauReports

BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR—The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has joined in the celebration of Customer Service Week, aimed at celebrating retirees and workers in the country.

According to PenCom, day one of the week kicked off on a high note as staff celebrated their colleagues, customers and the commitment to going “the extra mile” in delivering exceptional customer experience.

From engaging conversations and interactive sessions to team spirit, smiles and celebrations, the opening day set the tone for a week focused on putting the customer at the heart of the Commission’s work.

This year, the Commission is reminded that great customer service is not just about meeting expectations; it is about exceeding them, creating value and making every interaction count.

The highlight of the event was the cutting of the cake by the Director-General of PenCom, Ms. Omolola Bridget Oloworaran, and her management team.

The post The Extra Mile: PenCom marks 2026 Customer Service Week appeared first on Business Today NG.