Betapond Secures €2 Million in New Funding Round Led by the Ulster Bank Diageo Venture Fund

Leading European Facebook developer to drive ecommerce with social data

LONDON--()--Betapond, a leading social technology firm and Europe’s most established provider of Facebook technology solutions for global brands in retail, consumer goods and tourism, has raised €2 million in a new funding round led by The Ulster Bank Diageo Venture Fund, managed by Investec Ventures. Delta Partners and Irrus Investments also participated in the round.

Betapond plans to use the funds to accelerate development of its social commerce offering to retailers, powering product recommendations from other Facebook users the consumer trusts.

Declan Kennedy, CEO and co-Founder of Betapond, said: “We are thrilled to secure this new round of investment led by the Ulster Bank Diageo Venture Fund and to be working with Investec Ventures, whilst deepening our relationship with Delta Partners and Irrus Investments.”

He added: “Betapond delivers innovative social technology solutions to a great portfolio of global brands. This funding enables the Company to accelerate its development and go-to-market plan to be a global leader in social commerce solutions.”

Leo Hamill, Partner, Investec Ventures, said: “We are delighted to complete this investment in Betapond and look forward to supporting them as they continue growing and developing the business. The company has already established itself as a Facebook Preferred Marketing Developer and has a proven ability to build relationships with some of the world’s best brands. Betapond combines many of the key attributes we look for when investing in a business including a highly professional and capable management team, a proven business model and a clear strategy to grow the business both domestically and internationally.”

John Kenny of Delta Partners added, “Over the past 18 months, Betapond has laid the foundation for its social recommendation product offering. We are pleased to welcome Investec Ventures to the table at this pivotal time in the Company’s development.”

Delta is participating in this round from its expansion stage fund, Delta Equity Fund III Ltd Partnership.

Founded by Declan Kennedy, Conor Ryan and Peter Elger in 2009, Betapond is headquartered in Waterford, Ireland with offices in London, Dublin and San Jose. Betapond solutions allow global brands to make intelligent use of social platforms and innovate to engage with people. In 2011, the Company raised €1.15m in venture capital funding from the Bank of Ireland Start-up and Emerging Sectors Equity Fund, managed by Delta Partners, Irrus Investments and Enterprise Ireland. Since then the Company secured significant new customers in Unilever and Marks & Spencer.

Leo Hamill will represent the Ulster Bank Diageo Venture Fund on the board of Betapond. John Kenny will continue to represent the interests of Delta Partners on the Board of Betapond.

About Betapond

Betapond is a social technology solutions provider that enables global brands to grow revenue, gain consumer insights and extract greater value from social data.

The Company is a recognised expert at helping brands inspire their consumers to share stories of real world experiences in social media. Betapond is one of a select group of companies worldwide designated as a Facebook Preferred Marketing Developer. The Company has worked with some of the most recognised names in consumer goods, retail and tourism, including Unilever, Marks & Spencer, Tourism Ireland, Intel, Dove, VisitBritain, Boylesports, The Met Office and Paddy Power.

Betapond is headquartered in Waterford, Ireland with offices in London, Dublin and San Jose.

About Investec Ventures Ireland Ltd (“Investec Ventures”) and The Ulster Bank Diageo Venture Fund

Investec Ventures (formerly NCB Ventures), is part of the Investec Group in Ireland, and manages the €75 million Ulster Bank Diageo Venture Fund established in 2008 under the Enterprise Ireland Seed and Venture Capital Programme 2007-2012.

The Fund invests €1-€5 million in Irish companies across a range of sectors and all stages of development and has, to date, invested in fourteen companies AMCS, Brite:bill, Betapond; ePub Direct, Ferfics, Gridstore, Helix Health, HeyStaks, MicksGarage, Rainmaker, RAPT Technologies, Terminal Four Solutions, Xtra-vision and Zamano.

Investec Ventures has invested in over 40 Irish businesses taking them from early stages of development through to trade sale and IPO. The Investec Group is a leading international, specialist-banking group, with headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa. The group was founded in 1974 and currently has approximately 8,000 employees with offices in 14 countries. Investec is a distinctive Specialist Bank and Asset Manager providing a diverse range of financial products and services to a niche client base. These include Treasury Services (including hedging/FX/Deposits), Wealth Management, Institutional Equities, Bonds, Specialised Lending, Corporate Finance and Venture Capital. For more information please visit: www.investec.ie.

Investec Ventures Ireland Limited trading as Investec.

About Delta Partners

Delta Partners is a venture capital firm investing in Ireland and the United Kingdom. Established in 1994, it has €230 million under management, and is currently investing the Bank of Ireland Start-up and Emerging Sectors Equity Fund and Delta Equity Fund III. The firm has a strong focus on investing in early-stage technology firms and the team has made over 70 investments in the information communications technology and healthcare sectors. Delta Partners is among the most active early-stage investors in Europe.

Contacts

Betapond
Declan Kennedy, +44 20 3368 6820
info@betapond.com
or
For Investec:
ReputationInc
Ben Valdimarsson, +353(0)14786244 / Mob: +353(0)861735123

Release Summary

Betapond, Facebook Preferred Marketing Developer, secures €2 million in new funding for social commerce solutions.

Contacts

Betapond
Declan Kennedy, +44 20 3368 6820
info@betapond.com
or
For Investec:
ReputationInc
Ben Valdimarsson, +353(0)14786244 / Mob: +353(0)861735123