Instinct raises $350m at $2.5bn valuation after latest funding round
Instinct raised $350 million in a fresh capital round that values the AI assistant developer at $2.5 billion, the company told the Wall Street Journal.
Source: TechCrunch · August 27, 2026 at 10:02 AM · AI-assisted report
Single-sourceKUALA LUMPUR, 27 AUGUST 2026 —
Instinct raised $350 million in a fresh capital round that values the AI assistant developer at $2.5 billion, the company told the Wall Street Journal.
Market Impact
The Series B round, led by Index Ventures and Benchmark, added $250 million to the company’s coffers, bringing total funding to $350 million. Instinct, founded in 2023 by 23-year-old chief executive Noah Shinn, operates via Spear Street Technology and supplies an AI agent that users connect to apps and devices by text or call.
Early adopters have used the tool to plan road trips, buy groceries and concert tickets, cancel subscriptions and organise weddings, Shinn said in a tweet. He called the feedback “thrilling.”
Benchmark partner Eric Vishria told the Journal that Instinct’s ability to execute tasks across platforms differentiates it from text-generating chatbots. Index Ventures partner Shardul Shah said the agent’s utility created a compelling value proposition for consumers and developers.
Malaysian investors should note how niche consumer AI tools can command premium valuations during the current global funding boom. The round shows global venture firms are backing early-stage AI plays even as macroeconomic uncertainty persists. No Malaysian backers were disclosed in the filing.
Related: Instinct · Ministry of Digital · Noah Shinn · Kuala Lumpur