Facebook Chatbot Creation Platform Octane AI Raises $1.5M, Partners With 50 Cent, Aerosmith, KISS, SPiN

Chatbot boosters are fond of saying that just as no musician or business would think of not having a web site, very soon they'll all also need chatbots. Making that vision accessible is the goal of Facebook Messenger chatbot creation platform Octane AI and some key investors have signed on.

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Octane AI, a platform that enables the easy creation of chatbots on Facebook Messenger, today announced the release of its private beta product, and the addition of $1.5 million in new funding.

This first major funding round for the startup was led by General Catalyst Partners and included investments from Boost VC, Dimension 6, Ustream founder Brad Hunstable, Hired and Talkable founder Allan Grant and angel Lawrence Braitman.

As with any new technology, time to market and cost are a big issue. "That’s why Octane AI enables you to build a powerful chatbot in minutes without the need to code anything," said Octane AI Co-founder and CEO Matt Schlicht. "We provide the technology so that you can focus on the content, experience and personality.” 50 Cent, Aerosmith KISS & MoreOctane AI is already powering chatbots on Facebook Messenger’s one billion user platform for 50 Cent, Aerosmith, Curejoy, Epic Rights, KISS, Magic Mike, NextShark, Shots Studios, SPiN and Asian partners Cinta Laura, Gushcloud and Joanne Peh.Octane AI was founded in May 2016 by Y Combinator alum, former Ustream product manager, 2x Forbes 30 Under 30 and Chatbots Magazine creator Matt Schlicht; alongside former Mashable co-editor and editor-at-large, CNET columnist, venture capitalist, Forbes 30 under 30, and Captivology author Ben Parr; and Omegle creator and owner Leif K-Brooks.