Durham Startup Scale Social AI Raises $1.3M Pre-Seed to Expand AI-Powered Localized Advertising

Scale Social AI, a marketing technology company headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, has secured $1.3 million in pre-seed funding to expand its platform that converts authentic customer-generated content into localized advertising for franchises and multi-location brands. Founded in 2025 by CEO Runbin Dong, the company’s early success and investor support reflect growing enthusiasm for AI-powered solutions that help brands engage customers more effectively and cost-efficiently.

The pre-seed round was led by prominent investors LAUNCH and The Syndicate, both of which are early-stage investment organizations spearheaded by entrepreneur and investor Jason Calacanis. LAUNCH is known for supporting founders from the idea stage through early traction, while The Syndicate functions as a global angel investing club that connects accredited investors with early-stage deals.

In addition to the lead investors, the round saw participation from regional and sector-focused backers, including RTP Angel Fund, Primordial Ventures, Charlotte Fund, Triangle Tweener Fund, and Blue Valley Capital, as well as strategic angel investors such as Mike Cristinziano, the former senior vice president at Citrix and Digital Ocean.

Scale Social AI also previously received a $50,000 seed grant from the NC IDEA Foundation, which supported early product development before the recent equity financing. This combination of grant funding and investor capital has helped the company extend its runway and accelerate key initiatives.

The funding will be used to bolster Scale Social AI’s engineering capabilities, expand its partnerships and pilot programs with both local and national brands, and enhance the company’s automation platform. The goal is to enable more franchises and multi-location businesses to leverage real customer interactions as high-performing advertisements tailored to specific geographies and audiences.

Scale Social AI’s platform encourages guests at physical locations to share their experiences by scanning a QR code, which then feeds authentic customer content into a system that transforms it into localized, performance-driven creative. Early adopters of the technology include brands such as Osmow’s and Mimi Garden, with interest growing from businesses in sectors like fitness, hospitality, and experiential services.

Investors in the pre-seed round highlighted the company’s potential to disrupt traditional marketing models, especially as brands face rising costs from generic advertising and influencer partnerships. By harnessing customer-generated content at scale, Scale Social AI’s technology promises a more authentic and cost-efficient alternative that drives measurable foot traffic and engagement for local outlets.

Despite being a relatively new entrant in the crowded marketing technology space, Scale Social AI’s early traction and funding momentum suggest that investors see strong demand for solutions that bridge the gap between customer experience and advertising effectiveness. The company’s approach resonates with broader industry trends emphasizing personalization, local relevance, and data-driven creative execution.

Scale Social AI’s leadership believes that the convergence of AI and authentic customer interactions will redefine how brands connect with audiences at scale. With the recent funding, the company plans to deepen its technology investments, onboard additional franchise partners, and support wider adoption of its localized advertising platform throughout North America.

The pre-seed financing round marks a significant milestone for Scale Social AI as it transitions from early product development to broader commercialization, backed by a diverse group of investors eager to support innovative applications of artificial intelligence in marketing.