Largest Funding to Date for Networked Insights

US-based social media analyst Networked Insights has added $30m to its growth funding, for use in a broad range of activities including international expansion, product and partnership development, and acquisitions.

The company was formed in 2007, with an initial $4m in venture capital funding and has continued to add to this, including $5m in 2010 and $20 million in 2011 - the latest round was led by Sands Light Capital and the Cherng Family Trust and brings the total to date to around $80m.

Networked Insights has developed a technology platform called Kairos to analyze real-time consumer conversations from social media, including consumer demographics, interests, emotions and intent data. Kairos starts with the premise that marketers spent 75 percent of their budgets on the 1 percent of online conversations revolving around brands, and aims to give them 'a more holistic view of people's lives', to help them develop more relevant and effective campaigns. The firm's existing partners include GroupMand Twitter.

CEO Dan Neely (pictured) says the funds will allow the firm to take 'another leap forward' and bring 'several powerful new AI products to market this year'. He adds: 'We are pleased to bring on new strategic investors who have strong entrepreneurial backgrounds as founders to help us develop into our next growth phase. As global leaders in CPG, they provide a deep understanding of how to use customer data strategically'.

Web site: www.networkedinsights.com .