# Photon raises $4.5 million for agents that work through messaging services

_Published Thursday, October 1, 2026 at 10:55 AM EDT · Capital, AI · Latest · Tier 2 — Notable_

![Photon raises $4.5 million for agents that work through messaging services — Primary](https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/DSC01567.jpg?resize=1200,801)

Photon raised $4.5 million in seed funding to develop tools that let developers build and operate AI agents through messaging services, TechCrunch reported. Gradient and A* co-led the round, with participation from Vercel, HongShan, Z Fellows, Llama Ventures, Karman and angel investors.

Its tools connect agents with users through iMessage, WhatsApp, Telegram, SMS or RCS, email and voice. Photon says it has over 40,000 developer sign-ups and revenue grew 10x in four months. The open-source version still accounts for 98% of use; the company is not sharing revenue figures.

## Sources

- [Startups | TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/01/photon-held-a-funeral-for-mobile-apps-now-it-has-4-5m-to-help-replace-them-with-agents/)

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Canonical: https://techandbusiness.org/newswire/KBZN42SKvgCOi_d_5qiIge
Published: 2026-10-01T14:55:15.666Z
Story chronology: 2026-10-01T14:00:00.000Z
Retrieved: 2026-10-01T17:01:46.425Z
Publisher: Tech & Business (techandbusiness.org)