Kleiner Perkins-backed voice AI startup Keplar aims to replace traditional market research

Core Insights - Keplar is a market research startup that leverages voice AI to conduct customer interviews, offering faster and more cost-effective analysis compared to traditional market research firms [2][4] Company Overview - Keplar was founded in 2023 by Dhruv Guliani and William Wen, who identified the potential of conversational AI to replace traditional market research methods [3] - The company recently raised $3.4 million in seed funding led by Kleiner Perkins, with participation from SV Angel, Common Metal, and South Park Commons [2] Technology and Methodology - Keplar's platform allows companies to set up studies in minutes, transforming product-related questions into interview guides [4] - The AI voice assistant engages with participants, asking probing questions to gather insights on customer preferences [4][5] - If granted access to a client's CRM, the AI can reach out to existing customers, and the results are compiled into reports and presentations similar to those produced by human researchers [5] Market Context - Keplar's technology has advanced to the point where participants often forget they are interacting with AI, indicating a high level of realism in the conversations [5][6] - The startup's clients include notable companies such as Clorox and Intercom [6] - Keplar faces competition from other AI companies in the customer research space, including Outset and Listen Labs, which have also secured significant funding [6]