Gary and Ian, cofounders of Chert, are simplifying business messaging with an API that turns iMessage into a programmable channel. After building agents and sequencers that reached thousands of users, they found the real demand wasn’t flashy consumer bots—it was high-volume enterprise use cases like customer service and cart recovery.
Why iMessage for business messaging
Most companies already use SMS or RCS because they include native APIs. iMessage, however, lacks a direct API, forcing businesses to maintain separate infrastructure. That’s exactly what Gary and Ian set out to solve with Chert. They built a platform that lets companies send and receive iMessages programmatically, route replies to agents or workflows, and integrate conversations into existing systems.
They launched an early one‑shot agent builder that onboarded 2,000 users in its first week. Another product automated outbound sequences sending thousands of messages daily. Behind the scenes, the team noticed that the most active use cases weren’t mass‑market agents or sales drips—they were operational workflows in verticals like home services, direct‑to‑consumer brands, and property management.
Core features and integrations
Chert handles both outbound and inbound messaging with built‑in redundancy. The platform automatically checks line health and falls back to SMS or RCS when iMessage delivery stalls. Businesses can connect their existing messaging stacks—SMS, RCS, or voice agents—and plug conversations directly into tools they already use.
- CRM integrations: Salesforce, HubSpot, Attio
- Team tools: Slack, webhooks, ticketing systems
- Scaling tools: Automated line provisioning, usage‑based pricing, volume dashboards
Businesses start with a few test lines and grow to hundreds using Chert’s API-first architecture. The system manages contact cards, local area codes, and worker sessions to ensure compliance and reliability across markets.
Real-world use cases and traction
Early adopters are running thousands of iMessage lines for customer service, missed‑call callbacks, cart abandonment recovery, and lead intake. Companies in sectors like home services and property management are seeing higher open and response rates than SMS equivalents, thanks to iMessage’s blue bubbles and typing indicators.
Chert’s customers currently span DTC brands, sports programs, property managers, and home service operators. Each vertical benefits from the same underlying API—sending personalized messages, routing replies, and syncing data with existing workflows.
Looking ahead
The team is focused on expanding line capacity and deepening integrations. They’re also exploring vertical‑specific templates for faster onboarding and compliance automation. If you’re running high‑volume conversations and want to add iMessage to your stack, now’s the time to evaluate the platform.
What other verticals could benefit from iMessage automation? Share your thoughts and use cases.
AI summary
Chert, işletmelerin iMessage üzerinden otomatik ve ölçeklenebilir mesajlaşma yapmasını sağlayan bir API geliştiriyor. Detaylı özellikleri ve kullanım alanları hakkında bilgi edinin.
