Chicago-based tech startup CircleIt lands $5.1M to let you send messages, flowers, and gifts to loved ones long after you’re gone

Life is short. From the moment we enter this world to the time we leave it, we’re writing our story. One day, one milestone, one memory at a time. Even with our technological advancement, most people still don’t live up to 120 years. So, what about if you want to send life-changing messages, flowers, and gifts to your loved ones long after you’re gone? That’s where CircleIt comes in, a Chicago-based tech startup founded by Art Shaikh.

CircleIt is a new generational platform that helps you to write, share, and preserve your legacy for future generations. The platform enables the secure creation and storage of digital memories, customizable cards and physical gifts to be delivered years – even decades – in the future. Shaikh got the inspiration for CircleIt from his father. “Before my father passed, he asked us to deliver handmade cards and gifts to family members near and far on holidays and occasions. CircleIt was built to replicate this special gift he left behind,” Shaikh said.

CirleIt’ smart technology allows you to be there for all of life’s milestones, even after you’re gone. You can even schedule future communications so you can share your love and ensure your legacy lives on.

CircleIt has exploded since its inception three years ago. The CircleIt app has been downloaded more than 3 million times in 167 countries. With the much-anticipated Q3 release of their patented child accounts and SmartCards, CircleIt expects to reach 10 million members by Q1 of 2022.

To further meet the growing demand for its app, CircleIt announced today it has raised $5.1M in series A funding. This funding was driven by CircleIt founder Art Shaikh with participation from TeleSoft Partners, a Silicon Valley venture capital firm led by Arjun Gupta, and private investor Connor Crown. To date, TeleSoft has raised over $1 billion in capital and invested in 100+ technology companies and is eager to help CircleIt soar to new heights.

Shaikh started CircleIt in 2018 while working at Salesforce. He left the company in mid-2020 to dedicate his life to delivering CircleIt to the world. Today, CircleIt has 21 employees.

Art Shaikh, CircleIt Founder, shares “Today is truly a day for celebration; the technology that was inspired by my father’s gift of handmade cards left behind after his passing is destined to change the lives of families around the world.” Shaikh’s father passed away in 2012 and left letters, cards, and gifts for him to deliver to family members on future holidays and occasions. It’s this unique sentiment that inspired Shaikh to build CircleIt.

With this series A funding, Shaikh plans to expand CircleIt aggressively. “We’ve been working together as a team remotely for about a year and a half,” shares Shaikh, “and we’re excited to get our CircleIt family together under one roof.” The new global headquarters is located in the bustling river north area of downtown Chicago and already buzzing with excitement as Shaikh and his team prepare for the release of some new features in the near future.

Going forward, CircleIt said it’s planning to launch child accounts that will let family and friends send children advice, memories, accolades, and more in the form of cards, photos, videos, and voice recordings – all to be stored and preserved for when they’re ready.

Also in the pipeline are first-of-its-kind SmartCards that enable members to send cards and gifts to future events without ever knowing the date. With cutting-edge AI technology, grandparents can schedule the delivery of a sentimental card for their young granddaughter’s wedding day – 20 years (or more) down the road. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Below is a quick overview of how CircleIt works.