Expansion Funds for New Zealand MR Platform Yabble

New Zealand-based consumer data platform Yabble has raised $NZ 3m in a second round of funding, which it will use to expand to Australia and then the US.

Founded by Kathryn Topp and Rachel O'Shea, Yabble (formerly known as The Thinking Studio) provides a platform which uses machine learning and natural language processing to help brands connect with more than 62 million consumers globally, and collect data in real-time. Using the solution, clients can build their own surveys, and manage their own customer research communities.

New funding has been led by Hillfarrance (which also led the $NZ 1.3m seed round last year), with participation from existing investors including Movac, New Zealand Growth Capital Partners, Enterprise Angels, and other Angel networks and high-net-worth individuals. Topp said that existing shareholders had oversubscribed the latest round in 'record time.'

Hillfarrance Managing Partner Rob Vickery commented: 'Kathryn, Rachel, and the rest of the team at Yabble are using this capital to conquer new markets, pioneer new technologies, and grow their global workforce. This is what good start-up venture capital is all about.'

Web site: www.yabblezone.net .