San Francisco-based startup Instinct has secured $1 billion in a Series C funding round, bringing its total valuation to $10 billion. The company, founded in 2025 by 23-year-old Noah Shinn, previously reached a valuation of $2.5 billion just one month prior following a $250 million investment in August 2026.
The current round was supported by Sequoia, Benchmark, and Coatue. Total funding raised by the company is approximately $350 million. Despite the significant valuation, the startup has not yet disclosed its specific revenue strategy or monetization plans, such as subscription fees or commission models.
Instinct develops agentic AI software designed to perform tasks autonomously, including travel planning, grocery ordering, and bill payments. The service operates via SMS and phone calls without requiring a dedicated mobile app. Since its invite-only launch in August 2026, the platform has surpassed 100,000 users and remains in early access.
