Category Visionaries Chris Brunner, CEO of Authvia: $30 Million Raised to Build the Future of Conversational Commerce
Authvia is pioneering conversational commerce, building the infrastructure that enables businesses to accept payments through text messages, WhatsApp, and other messaging platforms. With $30 million in funding raised, the company has connected over 250 payment processors and gateways with 300+ messaging networks globally, creating a seamless payment experience that Chris Brunner believes will become bigger than traditional e-commerce. In this episode, Chris shares his journey from identifying SMS as the most ubiquitous communication channel to building a platform that processes payments with just a four-digit code, all while navigating the complex world of channel partnerships and enterprise sales.
Topics Discussed:
- The evolution from app fatigue to messaging-first commerce solutions
- Building infrastructure that connects 250+ payment processors with 300+ messaging networks
- The challenge of creating a new payment category without established buyers or budgets
- Why channel partnerships take years to mature but ultimately provide massive scale
- The technical innovation behind tokenized payments over messaging platforms
- How regulatory compliance and paper elimination drive enterprise adoption
GTM Lessons For B2B Founders:
- Sometimes being early means waiting for the market to catch up: Chris spent years building Authvia before the market was ready, describing how "channels sit" for years before they eventually activate. He emphasizes that conviction in your vision is crucial when you're ahead of market demand. B2B founders building transformative solutions should prepare for extended timelines and focus on building deep partnerships that will pay off when the market matures.
- Focus on the financial buyer when there's no established category: Without a clear buyer or budget line item, Chris found success by targeting CFOs and finance teams who could immediately see the cash flow impact of faster payments. He noted, "When you get into the office of the CFO, that group cares... I can get what was going to be paid in 30 days, paid in two hours." B2B founders should identify who benefits most financially from their solution and lead with those metrics.
- Build infrastructure that makes partners look good: Rather than trying to sell standalone solutions, Chris focused on creating technology that could be white-labeled by major payment and messaging companies. He explained, "Getting them to sell your stuff that looks and feels like your stuff is next to impossible. Getting them to sell their stuff that looks and feels like them is the home run." B2B founders should consider how their technology can enhance partners' existing offerings rather than compete with them.
- Channel partnerships require massive upfront investment: Chris candidly shared that the first five years of channel partnerships showed little return, saying "channels sit, right? And channels do nothing until they eventually do." However, this strategy ultimately provided access to enterprise customers that would have been impossible to reach directly. B2B founders pursuing channel strategies should prepare for long development cycles and ensure they have sufficient runway.
- Target the intersection of multiple pain points: Authvia succeeds by solving messaging, payments, and compliance challenges simultaneously. Chris described how customers quickly identify 17 different use cases once they understand the platform. B2B founders should look for solutions that address multiple related problems rather than point solutions, as this creates stronger value propositions and higher switching costs.
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