AI Meets Influencer Marketing: Croatian Hypefy lands Seed round led by Fil Rouge Capital

The global influencer marketing landscape is evolving rapidly, with automation and AI playing an increasingly critical role. Croatian startup Hypefy is at the forefront of this transformation. The company has successfully secured €1.5 million ($1.75 million) in a seed funding round led by Fil Rouge Capital, with participation from Oktogon Ventures, Euroventures, InterCapital, and Interactive Venture Partners.

Revolutionizing Influencer Marketing

Founded in 2019 by Stjepan Zelić, Hypefy aims to address a common problem in influencer marketing: the difficulty businesses face in finding the right influencers and ensuring effective campaign outcomes. Many companies struggle with mismatched audiences, leading to disappointing results and wasted budgets.

Hypefy’s AI-driven platform tackles these challenges head-on by automating the entire influencer marketing process. Users can input a brief description of their product, and the platform manages every step—from influencer selection and budget allocation to contracts, payments, and campaign reporting. This level of automation ensures precise audience targeting and measurable ROI, making it an indispensable tool for modern marketers.

Key Customers and Industries

Hypefy caters to marketing agencies, direct-to-consumer brands, and businesses across diverse industries, including cosmetics, fashion, consumer electronics, and food. The platform’s technology has already been embraced by over 80 clients, including major brands such as Nivea, Henkel Schwarzkopf, and Cedevita. Campaigns powered by Hypefy have spanned 13+ markets, consistently delivering ROI 3-5 times higher than industry averages.

Growth and Future Plans

Currently operating with a lean team of 10, Hypefy plans to expand to 25 employees in the wake of its successful seed round. The new funding will also support the company’s ambitious expansion into the US and European markets and accelerate platform development to further enhance its capabilities.

“This investment is a testament to the demand for innovation in influencer marketing,” said founder Stjepan Zelić. “We’re excited to scale our platform and bring our vision of automated, efficient, and impactful influencer marketing to a global audience.”

Market Opportunity and Competitive Edge

The global influencer marketing industry is projected to exceed $21 billion by 2023, driven by increasing demand for authentic content and efficient campaign management solutions. Hypefy’s all-in-one platform positions it well to capitalize on this growth, offering a comprehensive solution that simplifies the influencer marketing process while maximizing campaign impact.

Unlike traditional platforms that charge fees to both brands and influencers, Hypefy’s business model is unique: brands and businesses pay to use the platform, while influencers retain 100% of their earnings. This approach fosters trust and transparency, further differentiating Hypefy from competitors.

Recognition and Milestones

Hypefy’s innovative approach and proven results have earned it industry recognition. The company won the prestigious Slovenian Podim Pitching Competition in 2024, solidifying its reputation as a leader in MarTech innovation.

With its robust platform, strong client base, and fresh funding, Hypefy is poised to revolutionize the influencer marketing industry on a global scale. As it expands into new markets and enhances its technology, the future looks bright for this Croatian startup.