AnyMind closes $21m round, acquires influencer network

AI solutions provider AnyMind Group has closed its series B round at US$21.4 million after receiving funding from Thai tech firm VGI Global Media and Japanese financial services company Tokyo Century.

(L to R) TV Thunder executive vice president Pirath Yensudjal, CastingAsia Creators Network and AnyMind managing director Siwat Vilassakdanont, AnyMind CEO and co-founder Kosuke Sogo, and Moindy founder Punsak Limvatanayingyong / Photo credit: AnyMind

Singapore-based AnyMind had previously secured series B funds from messaging app Line and Mirai Creation Fund.

It also announced its acquisition of Moindy Digital, a Thai influencer marketing network, from television production company TV Thunder.

Moindy works with more than 500 YouTube and Line TV channels, totaling 30 million subscribers and 600 million monthly views.

Following its series B round, AnyMind aims to form a joint venture with VGI to create digital out-of-home advertising for VGI’s ad spaces in Thailand, which include billboards and digital signage on buildings, public transport, and at roadsides.

This digital signage will include a camera that uses computer vision technology to determine gender, age group, and location of viewers, allowing for targeted advertising.

In addition, some of the fresh funds will be earmarked for strategic acquisitions in the advertising, human resources, and influencer marketing spaces, as well as for product development and recruitment.

Formerly known as AdAsia, AnyMind launched in 2016 as an AI-driven digital advertising platform. It began applying its AI tech to areas other than advertising, leading to a rebrand and restructuring in January 2018 as well as the creation of job candidate matching service TalentMind and influencer marketing platform CastingAsia. Its digital advertising business retained the AdAsia name.

AnyMind said it made US$26 million in revenue in 2017 and has been operating at a profit since January that year.