ViralMoment: AI-Powered Insights For Social Video

ViralMoment is an AI-powered video analytics company co-founded by Chelsie Hall and Sheyda Demooei. The company emerged from Hall's recognition of a gap in the market for understanding social video content. Hall had worked in intelligence with the Departments of Defense and State to understand online text conversations, and she realized that while text-based conversations were being analyzed, social video content like TikTok was not.

Hall interviewed hundreds of people at brands and found that everyone agreed social video was a "black hole."

She initially built a service that analyzed memes, which proved to be a successful proof point for her idea.

ViralMoment later secured funding from accelerators like Carnegie Mellon's VentureBridge and TechStars.

The company pivoted to develop a more comprehensive video analytics platform that provides insights into social video content, helping brands, governments, and individuals understand the conversations and trends emerging from video platforms.

ViralMoment has secured significant clients like Delta, Warner Bros., WPP, and Omnicom agencies, and the Collaboratory Against Hate, among others.

Challenging AI's Gender Bias

Hall and Demooei are actively challenging stereotypes by designing AI that embodies intelligence and strength, rather than reinforcing harmful tropes. They've also built a strong network and found mentors who have supported their journey.

Hall points out how AI often perpetuates biased representations of women, citing examples like Siri and Alexa, which are often portrayed as subservient assistants.

She also highlights the lack of women in leadership roles in AI, a reality she and Demooei have personally experienced.

Their company's AI bot is personified as a "brilliant researcher" rather than perpetuating harmful feminine stereotypes.

Fundraising Challenges and Successes

While the company gained early traction and secured customers, fundraising proved to be a challenge for Hall and Demooei. They faced hesitation from institutional investors who demanded more traction before investing.

Hall and Demooei persevered by focusing on building the company's credibility and securing high-profile clients.

This strategy eventually led to $3.7 million in pre-seed and seed funding, proving the value of their innovative video analytics solution.

Hall's resilience, the company's growing traction, and her ability to connect with investors who believed in her vision were key to this success.

They also leveraged their network and contacts from their time at TechStars to connect with potential investors.

Overcoming Investor Hesitation

Hall faced additional challenges due to being pregnant during her fundraising journey, as some investors were unfamiliar with women in AI and questioned her commitment to the company. However, she remained determined and focused on building a successful business.

Hall secured a six-figure contract with a Fortune 10 snack food company, but some investors still wanted to see more traction.

She overcame these obstacles by continuing to build momentum and secure high-profile clients.

Hall's commitment to building a successful company, despite the challenges, ultimately paid off, and she secured significant funding from investors who believed in her vision.

Women Leading the AI Revolution

Hall and Demooei are not just building a successful AI company; they're also advocating for greater representation of women in the field. By sharing their experiences and pushing for more inclusive AI development, they're working to create a more equitable and diverse tech industry.

They are breaking down stereotypes and demonstrating the power of women in tech.

Their journey serves as an inspiration for others who are navigating the challenges of this exciting and rapidly evolving field.

They are leading the AI revolution by developing cutting-edge technology to decode video content.

Key Takeaways

ViralMoment's story highlights the challenges and triumphs of women entrepreneurs in the AI field. It demonstrates the power of resilience, innovation, and building a strong network.

The company's AI-powered video analytics platform addresses a critical gap in the market and is helping brands, governments, and individuals understand the conversations and trends emerging from video platforms.

Hall and Demooei are challenging AI's gender bias and working to create a more equitable and diverse tech industry.