As conversational AI platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity rewrite the rules of online discovery, businesses are scrambling to stay visible. Gushwork, a startup founded in 2023, is positioning itself at the center of this transition. The company recently announced a $9 million seed round led by Susquehanna International Group (SIG) and Lightspeed, valuing the startup at $33 million post-money.
From General Outsourcing to AI Visibility
Founded by Nayrhit Bhattacharya and Adithya Venkatesh, Gushwork didn’t start as a marketing powerhouse. Initially focused on helping small businesses outsource general workflows, the team pivoted after recognizing an urgent demand for search-led growth. Today, the platform deploys a network of AI agents designed to help companies surface not just in traditional Google results, but within the conversational answers provided by Large Language Models (LLMs).
How the Platform Works
Gushwork automates the complex labor of modern digital presence through three core pillars:
- Agentic Content: AI agents automatically generate and update search-optimized content.
- Strategic Backlinking: The system builds authority via a network of roughly 200 to 300 partner websites.
- Lead Management: An integrated CMS tracks inbound interest to ensure no lead is lost.
High-Intent Leads and Rapid Growth
Data from Gushwork’s customer base reveals a shift in user behavior. While only 20% of website traffic currently stems from AI-driven search and chat platforms, those sources account for a staggering 40% of inbound leads. This suggests that users searching via AI possess higher intent, leading to better conversion rates for Gushwork’s core clientele of B2B service providers and industrial manufacturers.
Currently generating $1.5 million in annualized recurring revenue (ARR), Gushwork is growing at a rate of 50% to 80% month-over-month. With over 300 paying customers—mostly in the U.S.—the startup plans to use its new capital to expand its engineering team, improve model accuracy, and begin onboarding a waitlist of over 800 businesses.
