Scale Social AI has secured $1.3 million in pre-seed financing to advance its marketing technology platform, which turns authentic customer content into localized advertising for franchises and multi-location brands. The round was led by LAUNCH and The Syndicate, both overseen by entrepreneur and investor Jason Calacanis, with additional participation from RTP Angel Fund, Primordial Ventures, Charlotte Fund, Triangle Tweener Fund, Blue Valley Capital, a network of strategic angel groups, and individual investors, including Mike Cristinziano, former senior vice president at Citrix and Digital Ocean. Earlier this year, the company also received a $50,000 SEED grant from the NC IDEA Foundation.
The funding arrives as many franchises and multi-unit businesses face reduced returns from generic corporate creative and escalating influencer fees. Scale Social AI positions itself as an alternative by enabling enterprises to leverage real customer experiences as polished, high-performing ads tailored to individual locations. The platform is designed to help operators attract new foot traffic, encourage return visits, and strengthen community engagement.
The company’s technology allows customers to scan a QR code during their visit to capture photos and videos of their experience. That content is automatically transformed into branded short-form ads optimized for major social platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Google, as well as hyperlocal advertising networks. Scale Social AI reports that these campaigns have already delivered measurable results, including more than doubling sales for some partners.
With new capital in place, Scale Social AI plans to accelerate product development, expand its partnerships and early pilots, and further enhance the automation capabilities of its platform. Existing customers include quick-service brands like Osmow’s and full-service restaurant chains such as Mimi Garden, and the company is also seeing interest from gyms, studios, museums, and other experiential businesses seeking cost-effective alternatives to corporate ad creative and paid influencer campaigns.
The company was founded by Runbin Dong, a veteran of IBM Watson who also brings firsthand experience in restaurant operations. Dong’s background in both technical product development and food service operations informs the company’s approach to helping retailers and hospitality brands capture authentic customer moments and translate them into compelling local advertising.
KEY QUOTES
“Authenticity has become the most valuable currency in marketing. We’re giving local and national brands the ability to turn their happiest customers into their most effective marketers, driving measurable results like the 104% sales increase we’ve seen with our partners.”
Runbin Dong, Founder and CEO, Scale Social AI
“What you’re building is trying to find people who authentically went to the business, had a great experience, and start a flywheel going — and then use that as advertising.”
Jason Calacanis, Entrepreneur, Investor, and Leader of LAUNCH and The Syndicate
