Mobee Gets a Million for Mystery Shopping

In the US, mystery shopping app provider Mobee has launched out of private beta, with $1.1m in seed funding.

The Boston-based company, led by CEO Prahar Shah (pictured), has developed an app through which users undertake mystery shopping assignments and are then rewarded for providing relevant feedback about the businesses they visit.

These users are given 'live missions' comprising five to ten questions, where they are asked to rate retailers and restaurants on issues such as staff friendliness, wait times and cleanliness. In return, they receive gift cards and prizes such as free Dunkin' Donuts coffee, or vouchers to spend at iTunes.

Shoppers can photograph their receipts to prove they've made a purchase in a particular store, and Mobee can also use GPS technology on the device to check the consumer was actually there. Resulting data is then shared in real-time with clients.

The firm's initial round of funding comes from LaunchCapital, TiE Angels Boston and Hub Angels, along with other angel investors.

Web site: www.getmobee.com .