Paylode, a Miami-based startup, has raised a $5.5 million seed round to enhance its perks-as-a-service platform. The company provides tools for businesses to launch and manage customer perks programs efficiently. It aims to improve customer engagement and retention by offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional in-house programs. Paylode's features include a curated perks marketplace, a non-code program builder, and embeddable engagement campaigns. Founded by Mikhail Naumov, who previously co-founded AI-powered customer service platform DigitalGenius, Paylode has already seen significant beta success, with over 50 clients and 1,000+ brands in its ecosystem.



Miami, FL — In an era where customer engagement and loyalty are paramount to business success, Miami-based startup Paylode is leading the charge with its innovative perks-as-a-service platform. The company has recently announced the completion of a $5.5 million seed funding round, led by notable investors including Susa Ventures, Vinyl Capital, Struck Capital, and Day One Ventures.

The mission at Paylode is clear: to enable businesses to easily create, manage, and customize their own private-labeled perks programs in less than 15 minutes. By offering pre-negotiated and pre-vetted offers, Paylode aims to transform traditional customer rewards programs into a more personalized and targeted approach. The newly acquired funds are earmarked for further development of digital customer engagement tools to meet the increasing demand of the market.

Paylode was founded by Mikhail Naumov, an entrepreneur with a proven track record in leveraging technology to enhance customer service. Prior to Paylode, Naumov co-founded DigitalGenius, a platform that incorporates artificial intelligence and machine learning into customer service contexts. Under Naumov's leadership, Paylode is poised to reach new heights in the customer loyalty sector.

However, Paylode's offerings extend beyond just perks. The platform includes features to offer relevant perks during the checkout process, deploy email campaigns for micro-engagement moments, and provide deals or freebies to incentivize specific customer actions. This holistic approach not only enhances the customer experience but also opens new revenue streams for businesses.

During its beta phase, Paylode successfully enrolled over 50 clients and incorporated more than 1,000 brands into its embeddable perks ecosystem. The clientele spans major hotel chains with thousands of locations, residential housing operators managing millions of apartment rentals, consumer mobile apps, and top-tier insurance companies.

Leo Polovets, a founding partner at Susa Ventures, commented on the current economic landscape, noting, "Every company is currently figuring out how to retain customers while driving down costs. Paylode's approach to perks programs addresses the rising challenges of customer acquisition costs and offers businesses a seamless solution to deepen engagement and unlock additional revenue streams."

The success of Paylode not only underscores the market demand for its unique solution but also marks a new chapter in how businesses can enhance customer loyalty through digital and personalized services. As the company continues to expand its platform and services, it is expected to bring innovation and transformation to corporate customer engagement and loyalty strategies.

The rise of Paylode and its successful seed funding round represent a significant victory for the company and inject new energy and hope into the customer engagement sector. As more businesses recognize the importance of maintaining customer satisfaction and loyalty, platforms like Paylode are set to become key tools in the future of customer relationship management.