An AI social media vetting startup, Ferretly, has successfully raised $2.5 million in seed funding and is now introducing a new platform specifically tailored for screening election personnel. Since its establishment in 2019, Ferretly has been utilizing AI technology to scan social media and publicly available online data in order to identify potential risks and behaviors that may be overlooked by traditional background checks.
The brainchild behind this innovative startup is Darrin Lipscomb, who has previously founded successful software startups including Pipestream and Avrio, both of which were eventually acquired by major companies such as BMC Software and Hitachi. Lipscomb explained to TechCrunch that Ferretly aims to assist hiring managers in ensuring that the individuals they are hiring align with their company’s values. The platform helps in identifying candidates who may be engaging in threatening behavior or sharing racist remarks online, similar to how hiring someone with a criminal background would be undesirable.
With the upcoming 2024 presidential election, Ferretly is unveiling its Election Personnel Screening Platform which is designed to evaluate candidates, poll workers, canvassers, and other election personnel to minimize the risks of disruptive behaviors. The screening platform is equipped to detect digital red flags such as inflammatory rhetoric, hate speech, bullying behavior, drug use, nudity, connections to extremist groups, etc.
Recently, Ferretly has enhanced its image classification tool to identify offensive gestures, extremist symbols, and images of weapons including firearms, sharp objects, and explosives. The platform also scans web pages and news articles for additional information to provide a comprehensive overview.
After conducting a thorough scan of an individual’s social media and publicly available data, Ferretly generates a detailed report for hiring managers showcasing risk indicators, flagged content, and behavioral insights. The startup ensures compliance with all federal and state laws related to pre-employment social media screening and data protection.
Ferretly has a global presence with customers in 32 countries and over 1,000 clients across various industries. Notable clients include Deloitte, Blizzard Entertainment, Paramount Global, and various others. The startup’s tools are utilized by nonprofits, law enforcement, political parties, and even NFL teams to vet influencers for brand representation.
The recent funding round was spearheaded by David Dickerson, Chairman, and Founder of Accurate Background. The funding will primarily be allocated towards marketing initiatives for enhancing brand awareness and research and development endeavors.
