AI2Mob Enters $1.6 Trillion Auto Market with AI-Powered Referral Network

The platform aims to reduce dealership customer acquisition costs by leveraging personal networks and artificial intelligence, while raising a $2.5 million seed round.

Florida, April 2, 2026 — Daniel Pellegrini, a former Microsoft and U.S. Robotics executive, announced the early April launch of AI2Mob, an artificial intelligence-powered automotive referral network designed to reduce customer acquisition costs for dealerships. The platform introduces a three-sided marketplace that connects car buyers, dealerships, and referrers through AI-matched personal recommendations.

The U.S. automotive industry currently spends an estimated $10.7 billion annually on digital advertising, with dealerships facing customer acquisition costs ranging from $43 to $283 per lead. AI2Mob seeks to capture a portion of this market by replacing traditional digital ad spend with a commission-based referral system.

Operating as a three-sided marketplace, AI2Mob allows individuals—ranging from automotive enthusiasts, GIG workers, to professional influencers—to share unique, trackable referral links for specific vehicles across their networks. The platform’s proprietary artificial intelligence matches referred buyers with appropriate vehicles and local dealerships in real time. When a transaction is completed, the platform automatically tracks and distributes commissions to the referrer.

“At Microsoft, I learned that the most powerful technology strengthens human connections rather than replacing them,” said Pellegrini, co-founder and chairman of AI2Mob. “We are using AI not to replace the human element in car buying, but to scale personal recommendations and restore trust to the process.”

According to the company, this model offers dealerships a 60% to 70% reduction in cost-per-lead while providing higher conversion rates compared to traditional anonymous internet leads.

Financial Outlook and Funding

AI2Mob generates revenue through a tiered software-as-a-service (SaaS) subscription for dealerships, which provides platform access and analytics, partners’ revenue share, alongside a percentage-based commission on successful vehicle sales.

The startup is currently raising a $2.5 million seed round through a SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) or priced equity, targeting a close in the third quarter of 2026. The capital will be allocated toward go-to-market execution (40%), product and AI development (40%), and operations (20%).

The company aims to onboard over 500 dealer partners and activate 10,000 referrers in its first year, targeting a $25 million gross merchandise value (GMV) run rate and $1.5 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR). By its third year, AI2Mob projects scaling to $1 billion in GMV and expanding into adjacent mobility markets, including recreational vehicles, marine, and powersports.

Leadership Team

Pellegrini, whose 31-year career includes leadership roles at Microsoft, US Robotics, and HP, is joined by a founding team with extensive corporate experience. Rafael Madeira Santos, a former executive at the Shell joint venture Raízen, serves as CEO. Eric Santos, who led the development of the platform’s infrastructure, is the Head of IT, and Vanessa Salvati leads commercial operations.

Key Facts:

• Company: AI2Mob
• Founders: Daniel Pellegrini (Chairman), Rafael Madeira Santos (CEO), Eric Santos (Head of IT)
• Market: U.S. Automotive ($1.6 trillion total addressable market)
• Business Model: Tiered SaaS subscription for dealers + transaction commissions
• Funding: Currently raising $2.5 million seed round (Target close: Q3 2026)
• Launch Date: Early April 2026

Potential News Angles for Journalists:

• Ad-Tech Disruption: How AI2Mob is attempting to divert a portion of the $10.7 billion automotive digital ad spend into a gig-economy referral network.
• AI in Retail: Practical applications of AI in matching high-consideration purchases (vehicles) with consumer networks.
• Founder Story: Veteran tech executive pivots from enterprise software (Microsoft, HP) to consumer automotive marketplaces.

About AI2Mob AI2Mob is an AI-powered automotive referral platform that connects car buyers with dealerships through trusted personal recommendations. Founded by veteran technology executives, the platform operates a three-sided marketplace designed to lower dealership customer acquisition costs while rewarding referrers for successful sales. For more information, visit ai2mob.com or contact press@ai2mob.com.