Scale Social AI, a marketing technology company based in Durham, North Carolina, has successfully raised $1.3 million in pre-seed funding. The funding round was spearheaded by LAUNCH and The Syndicate, both under the leadership of Jason Calacanis. Additional contributions came from RTP Angel Fund, Primordial Ventures, Charlotte Fund, Triangle Tweener Fund, Blue Valley Capital, and strategic angels such as Mike Cristinziano. The NC IDEA Foundation also awarded the company a $50,000 SEED grant.
LAUNCH, an early-stage startup accelerator and investment firm in the U.S., supports founders from the conceptual stage to gaining traction, offering programs like Founder University and the LAUNCH Accelerator. The Syndicate, an angel investing club, connects accredited investors with opportunities in early-stage startups, allowing them to review deal memos and invest.
The funds raised will be utilized by Scale Social AI to enhance product development, expand partnerships and pilots, and improve its automation platform. This will enable the company to better serve local and national brands across various industries.
Founded in 2025 by Runbin Dong, Scale Social AI aims to revolutionize marketing technology by transforming authentic customer interactions into localized, high-performing advertising. The platform encourages customers to share their experiences by scanning a QR code at physical locations, capturing genuine customer moments. With thousands of content pieces already generated, early clients include Osmow’s and Mimi Garden, with increasing interest from gyms, studios, museums, and experiential businesses.
