In the age of Large Language Models (LLMs), chatbot development has become more accessible. Giants like OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft have introduced ChatGPT, Bard, and Bing Chat to the world. However, not all tech-savvy innovations reach every corner. Enter Luzia, the Spain-based startup on a mission to introduce AI chatbot technology to the masses through WhatsApp.
The Brainchild of Three Visionaries
Founded in 2023 by Álvaro Martínez Higes, Javier Andrés, and Carlos Pérez, Luzia is setting its sights on the Spanish and Portuguese-speaking markets for chatbots. Interacting with Luzia is a breeze – you simply add the chatbot as a contact in your phone and start a conversation on WhatsApp or Telegram. So far, over 17 million users have interacted with Luzia, with a whopping 8 million engaging on a monthly basis. While daily active users weren’t disclosed, the startup proudly receives 13 million daily requests.
Martínez Higes revealed that many users share Luzia as a contact, inviting their friends to chat with the bot.
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Multilingual Magic
Luzia uses your phone number to identify your location and initiates conversations in either Spanish or Portuguese. As it expands its horizons to the U.S., Luzia will soon converse in English. However, if you prefer Spanish, it will seamlessly switch back. Thanks to its GPT technology foundation, Luzia can engage in other languages as well.
Currently, Luzia is compatible with users in Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Spain, Mexico, and the United States.
Bridging the Gap with AI
Luzia aims to acquaint those unfamiliar with AI models. Interestingly, many first-time users liken the bot to voice assistants like Siri or Alexa. While the app offers a basic onboarding message showcasing potential use cases, the startup refrains from overwhelming users with educational messages about its array of features.
The Powerhouse Behind Luzia
Luzia’s prowess stems from a blend of models, including GPT 3.5/4, Llama, and Kandinsky. Like any other chatbot, Luzia can generate text for emails or provide answers to your queries. It can even transcribe voice notes or audio files and create images based on your prompts.
Funding for Future Growth
In a groundbreaking development, Luzia recently secured $10 million in Series A funding, with Khosla Ventures leading the charge. Investors like Basketball Hall of Famer Pao Gasol, A* Capital, Abstract Ventures, FJ Labs, Globo Venture, Mike Santos of Technisys, Sean Ryan of Sean Investments LTD, and Grupo Product also joined the funding round. Prior to this, the company had successfully raised $3 million.
The Road to Free Accessibility
For the time being, Luzia remains free, with its primary focus on expansion and delivering value to users. While potential monetization avenues like unlimited messages, lengthy transcriptions, and access to advanced models through paid plans exist, the company believes these approaches are becoming industry standards that might limit innovation.
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A Bright Future in AI Assistance
Adina Tecklu, a partner at Khosla Ventures, recognizes Luzia’s potential to transform the personal assistant market. She emphasizes that targeting the LatAm and Iberian Peninsula markets presents a significant opportunity. Tecklu acknowledges Luzia’s early success, attributing it to the team’s profound understanding of their consumer base and their ability to resonate with Spanish and Portuguese consumers.
