Global Reviews Raises Raises $600k in Growth Capital

Melbourne, Australia: One of Australia's most established internet companies, Global Reviews, has closed a $600,000 Series A equity raising.

Global Reviews was originally established in 2000, and now has offices in Australia and Europe with a roster of blue-chip clients. The company offers unparalleled industry data, competitor intelligence and behavioural insights to improve sales conversion, customer satisfaction and competitiveness online. It also analysing how and why consumers make omni- and multi-channel buying decisions; where they engage online, via the call centre, and in-store. For over a decade the company has worked with hundreds of companies across dozens of industries including finance, travel, retail, insurance, education, and energy.

The equity funding was raised from Australian investors including boutique private equity group Aura Capital. An Aura Capital representative will also join the Board. Calvin Ng, Aura Capital Director, said Global Reviews distinguishes itself from other online competitors as it provides a blue chip customer base with both industry-wide and firm-specific analysis into consumer purchasing decisions.

The funds raised will be used to continue the innovate program, with the ongoing development of new products and an upgraded analytics platform for the benefit of its clients. It will also enable a dramatic increase in the volume and depth of data being captured.

"We've got an established business with a great brand, offices in Australia and the UK, and a big loyal group of brand-name clients ", said Dr. Adir Shiffman, Chairman of Global Reviews. "This capital, and the involvement of Aura and our other new investors, enables us to continue to grow and work towards a dominant position in other major global markets."

In 2010 Greg Muller was appointed CEO of Global Reviews and has led a major expansion of the company. Muller, who previously founded online services leader iFocus and then merged it with digital agency Bullseye, has rebranded Global Reviews, brought in new talent, and developed a suite of new products.

One popular new product is the Shortlist Report, which provides clients with detailed information on which products and brands are most often "short-listed" by customers buying online.

"The new products are proving extremely popular with existing clients, and are key in driving new business through the door" explained Muller. "This is particularly true in Europe, which is clearly not in great economic shape at present and yet we continue to win new clients". Global Reviews is also strongly benefiting from the rise in omni-channel retailing and the fact that it has more than 6 years experience helping offline retailers integrate their online offerings.

Muller says the new funding will enable further enhancement of the analytics platform underlying Global Reviews' products, facilitating the development of more new products, and building market presence.

"In 2 years time, we're aiming for Global Reviews to be over 5 times the size we are today", says Muller.

The capital raising was led by Natasha Mandie from Mandie Consulting, assisted by lawyers Arnold Bloch Leibler and Tisher Liner, and accounting firm Lowe Lippmann.

ENDS

For more information on the research or further comment please contact:
Global Reviews
Greg Muller on Mb: 0419 844 486
[email protected]
Website: www.globalreviews.com

Aura Capital
Calvin Ng on Mb: 0451 111 222
[email protected]
Eric Chan on Mb: 0488 853 425
[email protected]
Website: www.auracapital.com.au

About Global Reviews
Global Reviews is a leading international customer experience research and insights company servicing top tier clients around the world. Global Reviews provide heads of marketing, digital marketing, e-Commerce and research with unparalleled industry data, competitor intelligence, metrics and customer behavioural insights that help improve online and cross-channel sales conversion, customer satisfaction and competitiveness.

About Aura Capital Group
Aura Capital is a boutique corporate advisory and private equity house focussed on early stage and SME businesses in the retail financial services, technology and resources sector. The firm operates out of offices in Sydney, Australia and has recently established a presence in Singapore.