Pearl.com Closes $25 Million in Series B Funding

Plans for More Personalization, Mobile Expansion and Hires New CFO

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pearl.com, the world’s largest source of professionals online, announced today that it has raised $25.7 million in Series B funding. New investor Crosslink Capital participated in this latest funding round, along with original investors Glynn Capital and all Board members including Charles Schwab. This new round of funding brings the total amount raised to more than $50 million.

“My financial background combined with Andy’s creative vision for Pearl.com will enable us to achieve profitability and global expansion – and strive towards our goal of changing people’s lives by providing access to deep professional knowledge globally.”

Pearl.com allows anyone to have one-on-one conversations online with verified professionals including doctors, lawyers, veterinarians, electricians and technology specialists any time, from anywhere with an Internet connection. The website provides access to 10,000 professionals in 700 specialties.

“We’re building a strong, global brand that expands beyond the simple question-and-answer model of our competitors to focus on delivering ‘wisdom when you want it,’” said Pearl.com Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Andy Kurtzig. “This additional funding will allow us to deliver an even more personalized website experience for our customers, and make our service even more accessible by increasing our mobile applications.”

To help grow the company, Pearl.com has brought on Erik Zech as the company’s first Chief Financial Officer. Formerly the CFO of Real Goods Solar (NASDAQ: RSOL), Zech brings more than 20 years of diverse financial experience – as a CPA, an investment banker and CFO who led Real Goods Solar successfully through its IPO – to his position at Pearl.com. He will be responsible for the company’s corporate finance, accounting, investor relations and treasury.

“Pearl.com has a distinct financial advantage over other professional services online. They have already established a global presence, strong revenue, millions of users and thousands of professionals,” said Zech. “My financial background combined with Andy’s creative vision for Pearl.com will enable us to achieve profitability and global expansion – and strive towards our goal of changing people’s lives by providing access to deep professional knowledge globally.”

Pearl.com, formerly known as JustAnswer, was founded in 2003 by serial entrepreneur Andy Kurtzig as a way for his then-pregnant wife to speak with a doctor about her round-the-clock health concerns in a more convenient way. The company has been growing revenue at an average of 123 percent year-over-year the last five years, and generates revenue in 196 countries and 22 currencies.

About Pearl.com

Pearl.com is the largest source for professional expertise online, providing access to 10,000 professionals in 700 fields, including doctors, lawyers, veterinarians, auto mechanics and tech specialists. Professionals provide quick and affordable answers to just about any question, anytime and from anywhere. The professionals on Pearl.com are not employees, contractors or agents of Pearl.com but rather independent professionals who use the site to communicate with customers. Founded in 2003, and based in San Francisco, the privately held company operates in 196 countries and 22 currencies. The mission of the company is simple and motivating – to help people. And Pearl.com is doing just that – serving more than 10.5 million visitors each month. To learn more, please visit www.pearl.com, facebook.com/pearldotcom and follow us at twitter.com/Pearldotcom.