Merge API Inc.
Category: AI Infrastructure
Connective infrastructure for production AI — a unified API platform that connects products and AI agents to enterprise tools, LLMs, and data sources with governance and security controls. Merge API Inc. was founded in 2020. The company is led by Shensi Ding. Based in San Francisco, CA / New York, NY / Berlin, Germany. Team size: 101-500. Total funding raised: $74.5M. Latest round: Series B. Key investors include Accel, NEA, Addition, Lee Fixel (Addition).
- Founded
- 2020
- Headquarters
- San Francisco, CA / New York, NY / Berlin, Germany
- Team size
- 101-500
- Total funding
- $74.5M
Value proposition
One platform that provides the connective infrastructure for AI — unified APIs, pre-built agent tool connectors, and LLM gateway — so companies can ship AI features faster without building and maintaining integration infrastructure
Products and solutions
Merge Unified (unified API for 150+ integrations across HRIS, ATS, CRM, accounting, ticketing, file storage), Merge Agent Handler (MCP-based AI agent tool connectivity with authentication, DLP, and audit logging), Merge Gateway (LLM routing and optimization across providers), Agent Handler for Employees (June 2026 — IT gatekeeper for governing employee access to AI tools with SCIM provisioning, DLP, and audit trails)
Unique value
Only platform spanning unified data integrations, AI agent tool connectivity (MCP-based), and LLM routing in a single governance layer — purpose-built for both product engineering teams and enterprise IT/security teams in regulated industries
Target customer
B2B SaaS companies needing customer-facing integrations; AI product teams building agent-powered features; IT and security teams at enterprises (especially regulated industries like finance, healthcare, government) needing to govern employee AI tool usage
Industries served
Financial services, HR technology, Healthcare, Government, Private equity, B2B SaaS, AI platforms
Technology advantage
Pre-built, fully maintained connectors to 150+ enterprise systems; SOC 2 Type II / ISO 27001 / HIPAA / GDPR compliant; MCP-native architecture compatible with all agent frameworks; SCIM-based IdP integration for employee provisioning; DLP scanning on tool-call inputs/outputs; real-time observability and audit logging
How they differentiate
Unified API approach reduces integration complexity from one-per-vendor to one-per-category; evolved from static data sync to live MCP-based agent tool access; unique IT governance layer (Agent Handler for Employees) for regulated industries combining SCIM-based identity management, DLP, and audit trails for AI tool usage across multiple vendors
Main competitors
Apideck, Unified.to, Nango, Paragon, Finch (HRIS/payroll focused), Composio
Key partnerships
BambooHR (HRIS integration partner), Lever (ATS integration partner), Perplexity AI (customer using Agent Handler), AWS (infrastructure), Accel, NEA, Addition (investor partners)
Notable customers
Perplexity AI, Foxit, BILL (formerly Bill.com), Electric, AngelList
Major milestones
2020: Founded by Shensi Ding and Gil Feig, 2021-05: $4.5M Seed led by NEA, 2021-11: $15M Series A led by Addition, partnerships with BambooHR and Lever, 2022-10: $55M Series B led by Accel, 3,000+ customers, ARR grew 26x YoY, 2025-10: Launched Merge Agent Handler (MCP-based AI agent tools), 2026-06: Launched Agent Handler for Employees (IT gatekeeper for workplace AI agents)
Growth metrics
137 employees (as of Apr 2026); 3,000+ customers (as of Oct 2022); ARR grew 26x YoY in 2022; serving enterprise customers including Fortune 500s
Market positioning
Leading unified API and AI agent connectivity platform; positioned as "everything you need but the agent platform" — the infrastructure layer that sits between AI agents/LLMs and enterprise systems
Geographic focus
Global — serves customers in Asia Pacific, Europe, and the United States
About Shensi Ding
Ex-Chief of Staff at Expanse (cybersecurity startup acquired by Palo Alto Networks); Investment Associate at a technology investing firm; Columbia University (Computer Science Research & Web Development)
Official website: https://www.merge.dev