Toma, an AI voice startup founded in early 2024, has secured $17 million in Series A funding led by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z). Other notable investors include Y Combinator, Scale Angels, and auto industry influencer Yossi Levi ("The Car Dealership Guy"). The funding will fuel Toma's growth and expansion of its AI-powered voice agents, which are already deployed in over 100 car dealerships nationwide.
Toma's AI agents handle various tasks, including scheduling service appointments, processing parts orders, and answering sales inquiries, streamlining operations for dealerships. The founders' immersive experience working directly with dealerships, including extensive fieldwork in Oklahoma and Mississippi, provided invaluable insights that shaped the product's development and success.
This hands-on approach, coupled with the company's subscription-based business model, has proven highly effective. The funding round comes at a pivotal moment for Toma, as the company recently hired its first dedicated sales employee, marking a significant step in its scaling journey.
The success of Toma highlights the growing demand for AI-driven solutions in the automotive industry, addressing challenges related to inconsistent customer service and fluctuating call volumes. The company's focus on understanding and addressing the specific needs of its clients has been a key factor in its rapid growth and investor appeal.