DigiCompanion Raises 1.7 million euros to Accelerate the Development of its Digital Gift Download Platform

PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DigiCompanion, a download platform specifically designed to enable brands to offer digital gifts to their consumers, today announced its first funding round of 1.7 million euros.

“The team has assembled an extensive database of content of extremely high quality”

The round, led by Alven Capital and supported by Ile-de-France Développement (IDFD), is intended to accelerate the development of DigiCompanion’s digital gift download platform and to broaden its catalogue of digital content. Aelios Finance advised DigiCompanion on the transaction.

“We were impressed both by DigiCompanion’s management and innovative platform the company is developing,” said Charles Letourneur, managing partner of Alven Capital.

DigiCompanion’s white-labelled platform helps brands to distribute downloadable digital rewards to consumers on mobiles and PC’s and to collect CRM data. The company also furnishes a catalogue of rights-cleared premium content from which brands can choose prizes that fit the needs of their target consumers. Together the platform and catalogue provide a turnkey solution for brands wishing to distribute premium content to their consumers.

“DigiCompanion allows brands to leverage the increasing popularity of downloadable content,” said Jean-Marc Holder, CEO of DigiCompanion. “Our platform provides a cost-effective alternative to advertising or sponsorship.”

The DigiCompanion platform is used by brands to reinforce brand image, promote products and increase customer loyalty. The advantages compared to traditional physical premiums include: lower costs, simplified logistics and an improved ability to collect consumer data.

“DigiCompanion allows brands to engage in one-to-one relationship with their customers,” said Gilles Babinet, non-executive co-founder of DigiCompanion. “Consumers are more loyal to their brands if they know that each purchase will give them access to another instalment of content they enjoy; in parallel, brands learn about the consumer’s interests and motivation.”

Thanks to partnerships with scores of content providers, DigiCompanion today provides digital gifts ranging from mobile or PC games, ringtones, PC music, cartoons, TV series, documentaries and computer software.

“The team has assembled an extensive database of content of extremely high quality,” said Thomas Galloro, Chairman of the Board of IDFD. “With the help of our investment, they will offer an even greater choice of compelling content.”

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About DigiCompanion

DigiCompanion was founded in 2006 by Jean-Marc Holder, CEO, Jeremie Wainstain, COO, and Gilles Babinet, non-executive, serial entrepreneurfounder of Musiwave and executive chairman of Eyeka. DigiCompanion operates the first turnkey download platform specifically designed to enable brands to deliver digital gifts to promote their products and build consumer loyalty.: www.digicompanion.com.

About Alven Capital

Alven Capital is an independent venture capital fund with 50 million Euros under management. Its investors include institutional investors (Crédit Agricole, Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations and AIG) and family offices. Alven Capital invests in innovative companies with high growth potential in the media and IT sectors. www.alvencapital.com.

About Ile-de-France Développement

Ile-de-France Développement is a venture capital fund that invests in start-ups and turnarounds. It has invested in over 140 companies since its inception, with 50 investments currently active. IDFD boasts of a diversified portfolio of investors all based in the Ile-de-France region including CCI, CDC, regional companies, etc. www.idfd.fr.

About Aelios Finance

Aelios Finance structures venture funding and mergers and acquisitions for companies in the information technology or life sciences. Aelios’s partners have realised over 100 deals with a cumulated value of over 400 million euros. Aelios Finance is a member of the premier worldwide network M&A International Inc. www.aeliosfinance.com.