As AI-powered search reshapes how buyers discover products and services, a new generation of startups is racing to help businesses stay visible.
Bengaluru-based AI-driven B2B marketing platform Gushwork has raised $9 million in a fresh funding round led by Susquehanna Asia VC.
The round also saw participation from Lightspeed, B Capital, Seaborne Capital, Beenext, Sparrow Capital, and 2.2 Capital.
This latest round follows the company’s $2.1 million pre-seed raise in July 2023, which was led by Lightspeed with participation from B Capital, Sparrow Capital, Seaborne Capital, and Beenext.
With the new capital, Gushwork plans to sharpen its AI agents, scale its engineering team, accelerate product development, and expand its go-to-market efforts.
The Big Shift: From Traditional SEO to AI-Led Discovery
Search is changing.
For years, businesses optimized their websites for traditional search engines like Google. But today, buyers are increasingly asking questions directly on platforms powered by generative AI — including ChatGPT, Gemini, and Google’s AI search features.
Instead of typing keywords, users ask complete questions. Instead of browsing links, they receive summarized recommendations.
This shift is creating a new challenge: how can businesses ensure they are mentioned or recommended when buyers ask AI tools for advice?
That’s where Gushwork steps in.
What Gushwork Actually Does
Founded in 2023 by Nayrhit Bhattacharya and Adithya Venkatesh, Gushwork combines Generative AI with human expertise to help small and medium businesses (SMBs) and manufacturers generate qualified leads from AI-powered search.
AI Agents That Work Behind the Scenes
The startup builds AI agents that:
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Create optimized content tailored for AI-driven search platforms
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Improve a company’s visibility across ChatGPT, Gemini, and Google
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Ensure businesses are recommended when buyers ask relevant questions
Unlike traditional SEO agencies, Gushwork blends automation with human oversight. Its AI systems handle scale and data processing, while human experts refine strategy and ensure quality.
The goal is simple: when a potential customer asks, “Who are the best suppliers for X?” or “What’s the top solution for Y?” — Gushwork’s clients appear in the answer.
Strong Early Traction
According to the company, more than 300 businesses globally already use its platform, with another 800 on the waitlist.
The numbers shared by Gushwork suggest strong early traction.
On average:
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By month three or four, customers begin seeing 10–15 qualified sales inquiries per month
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Those leads are generated from roughly 100,000–200,000 impressions across AI-driven content
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Out of those inquiries, three to four typically convert into customers
Financially, that translates into:
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An estimated $30,000–$50,000 in return
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On a monthly investment of approximately $1,500–$2,000
For SMBs and manufacturers that rely heavily on inbound leads, those economics can be compelling.
Why Investors Are Backing the AI Marketing Wave
The strong investor lineup reflects growing confidence in AI-native marketing platforms.
Susquehanna Asia VC leading the round signals belief in the long-term opportunity in AI-driven customer acquisition. Lightspeed and B Capital doubling down after participating in the pre-seed round further reinforces investor confidence.
Several factors are driving this interest:
The Explosion of Generative AI
As platforms like ChatGPT and Gemini become mainstream research tools, buyer behavior is evolving rapidly.
B2B Marketing Still Lags in AI Adoption
While consumer brands experiment heavily with AI, many B2B companies — especially SMBs and manufacturers — are slower to adapt.
Clear ROI Metrics
Unlike branding campaigns, Gushwork focuses on measurable lead generation and revenue impact. The company’s emphasis on conversion data and return on investment makes its value proposition easier to quantify.
How the New Funding Will Be Used
According to the company’s press release, the $9 million will be deployed toward:
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Accelerating product development
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Improving the accuracy and reasoning ability of its AI agents
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Expanding engineering teams
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Scaling go-to-market operations
As competition in AI marketing intensifies, refining agent performance will likely be critical. The better the AI understands buyer intent and content positioning, the stronger the recommendations.
The Bigger Picture: AI as the New Gatekeeper
Search engines were once the gatekeepers of online discovery. Now, AI systems are becoming that gatekeeper.
Instead of scanning ten blue links, buyers increasingly trust AI-generated summaries and recommendations.
This shift could redefine digital marketing:
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Ranking may matter less than being referenced
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Content quality and authority may outweigh keyword density
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Structured knowledge could become more important than backlinks
Startups like Gushwork are betting that businesses need dedicated infrastructure to win in this new environment.
What’s Next for Gushwork
With fresh funding and growing traction, Gushwork’s next challenge is scale.
Maintaining performance while onboarding hundreds or thousands of additional clients will require robust AI systems and strong operational processes.
If the company can consistently deliver measurable ROI, it could position itself as a key player in the emerging AI-led marketing ecosystem.
In a world where buyers ask AI before they ask sales teams, being recommended by an algorithm might soon matter more than ranking first on a search page.
Gushwork wants to make sure its customers are part of that answer.
