Data Start-up GRID Raises $12m for Launch

Iceland-based GRID, a SaaS start-up for users of data, has raised $12m in a Series A round of funding, which it will use to bring its product to market.

Founded in 2018 by 'data enthusiast' Hjalmar Gislason (pictured) and a group of software execs, GRID enables Excel users to convert their spreadsheets into interactive, web documents, dashboards and interactive applications that can be securely shared online, without the need to learn any new skills. According to the firm, GRID does for Excel and Google Sheets what data science notebooks have done for Python and R, making reporting of data and models 'easier and more powerful'.

New funding has been led by New Enterprise Associates, with participation from existing investors BlueYard Capital, Slack Fund, Acequia Capital and other strategic partners. Gislason comments: 'Data is now so ubiquitous in organizations that our entire way of thinking, reporting, and collaborating around data must improve. The key is to understand and leverage the ways people already work rather than introducing something completely new that interrupts existing workflows and requires people to rebuild what's already working for them. We're thrilled to have NEA joining us in delivering on this vision and are convinced that they are the best possible partner for us on this journey'.

Web site: www.grid.is .