GWI, a UK-based tech company — formerly GlobalWebIndex — that’s built up a SaaS business that disrupts traditional offline market research methods with a global network of data contributors, mobile surveys, and a self-serve platform for surfacing rich consumer insights to customers that include tech giants like Google, has closed a $180 million Series B at a valuation of more than $850 million.
The growth funding round is led by global investment firm Permira — and is only GWI’s second tranche of VC after a $40 million Series A back in 2018.
The 2009-founded startup was bootstrapped for years by founder and CEO, Tom Smith, before finally taking external investment a few years ago with the goal of scaling access to its consumer lifestyle and habits data beyond dedicated research teams — to “nonexpert” professionals who may be working in all sorts of roles right across a business.
Following its $40 million Series A, GWI says it’s tripled recurring revenue and grown to nearly 400 employees based across offices in London, New York, Prague, and Athens. Last year it also opened an office in Singapore.
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