Singapore-based startup Acti has launched its agentic keyboard for iOS and Android, backed by a newly closed $5.3 million seed funding round led by BITKRAFT Ventures. The application aims to revolutionize mobile interaction by embedding AI directly into the keyboard, allowing users to perform actions without switching apps. This approach moves beyond simple text prediction to transform the keyboard into an intelligent, context-aware command center for any application.
Reinventing the Keyboard for the AI Era
Acti was created to solve the problem of fragmented user context, where AI assistance requires navigating away from primary tasks. Founder and CEO Young Wang stated that the keyboard's position across all apps allows it to build a unified context layer that truly belongs to the user. This integration provides a seamless experience, unlike standalone AI chatbots that operate in isolated environments.
The vision behind Acti is to transform the keyboard from a passive input tool into an active interface for executing user intent. Wang, who previously grew Baidu's Facemoji Keyboard to 300 million daily users, believes large language models have made text a "carrier of intent." This fundamental shift inspired him to rebuild a foundational product for the AI era, making complex actions accessible within any conversation.
Privacy-First Functionality and Customization
Powered by Google's Gemini models, Acti delivers a balance of intelligence, speed, and reliability while prioritizing user privacy with a "local-first" model. This design ensures personal context remains on the user's device by default, and the app does not store private messages unless a feature requires it. This commitment to security is a key differentiator in the growing market of AI-powered personal tools.
A central feature of the keyboard is "Skills," which are user-programmable shortcuts for multi-step tasks triggered by a single key press. Users can create these Skills using simple natural language, eliminating the need for coding knowledge to automate workflows like translating text or sharing meeting links. Early testers created over 1,000 Skills, highlighting the feature's intuitive appeal and powerful customization potential.
Strategic Investment and Future Outlook
The $5.3 million in seed funding, led by BITKRAFT Ventures, provides Acti with the capital to scale its operations and enhance its technology. Jonathan Huang, Partner at BITKRAFT, expressed confidence in the team's potential to "own the next phase of human-computer interaction." This investment underscores the market's interest in innovative solutions that embed AI into everyday digital experiences.
The company's leadership includes experienced veterans like CTO Mike Sun, formerly of Baidu's Yike Album, and CSO Junbo Yang from HashKey Capital. Acti plans to generate revenue through a subscription model offering premium features, such as access to more advanced AI models and higher usage limits. A public "Skill Hub" marketplace also presents future opportunities for monetization and community-driven innovation.
With its launch on iOS and Android, Acti introduces a compelling new paradigm for mobile AI, shifting intelligence to the point of text entry. By combining a privacy-centric design with powerful, customizable actions, the company is well-positioned to change how users interact with their devices. The platform's success will depend on its ability to deliver a truly seamless and indispensable experience that integrates into users' daily digital lives.