Brandlight founders (company pic)
Brandlight, a new Israeli startup focused on brand intelligence in AI, has officially launched from stealth with $5.75 million in seed funding. Founded by CEO Imri Marcus, CTO Dvir Dvash, and COO Uri Gafni, Brandlight aims to empower companies to influence how their brands are perceived, interpreted, and represented by AI models across digital platforms.
The funding round in Brandlight was led by Cardumen Capital and G20 Ventures, with participation from high-profile advisors including Tony Weisman, former CEO of Digitas and CMO of Dunkin’; David Edelman, a former Fortune 50 CMO and senior fellow at Harvard Business School; and Sarah Fay, a seasoned media executive.
The traditional marketing focus on conquering search engine rankings, particularly Google’s coveted top spot, is being fundamentally disrupted by the integration of generative AI into search experiences, exemplified by ChatGPT’s direct answers and Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE). We are moving decisively away from a simple directory of links towards a world where AI curates answers, potentially providing a single, comprehensive response that negates the need for multiple website visits.
Will you offer us a hand? Every gift, regardless of size, fuels our future.
Your critical contribution enables us to maintain our independence from shareholders or wealthy owners, allowing us to keep up reporting without bias. It means we can continue to make Jewish Business News available to everyone.
You can support us for as little as $1 via PayPal at office@jewishbusinessnews.com.
Thank you.
This transformation raises critical questions about brand trust and customer loyalty. How will trust be established when AI synthesizes and delivers information? What happens to enduring loyalty when the user journey no longer involves direct interaction with carefully developed website content and brand experiences? This demands a new strategic imperative: AI Engine Optimization (AEO), focused not just on being seen, but on cultivating trust and loyalty within this novel environment. Let’s delve into how generative search is rewriting the rules of engagement.
Brandlight enters the market at a time when AI-generated content is reshaping brand visibility, and businesses are seeking greater control over their digital identity. The company’s platform is designed to help organizations manage how AI systems—from search engines to generative AI tools—understand and present their brand narratives.
“AI search is no longer the future – it is happening now. Traditional SEO is no longer enough, and brands must proactively influence how AI engines interpret and present their content,” said Imri Marcus, CEO of Brandlight. “AI search is a zero-sum game, and those that act now can secure a dominant position in an era where AI-driven visibility determines brand success. Brandlight’s system enables businesses to track, optimize, refine, and improve their AI-driven presence, ensuring they remain competitive in this new frontier. Over the last year, we’ve built the best-in-class solution for AI search. But more than selling a solution, we’re selling a world-class team that keeps innovating for our clients as the space continues to evolve.”
