Qazzow, a spin-out from the University of Washington’s Information School, has landed $2.4 million in series A financing in a deal led by WRF Capital and Voyager Capital. The W Fund and Seattle angel investor Geoff Entress also participated in the round, which followed a $500,000 financing last month.
We reported on Qazzow’s technology last month, pointing out how the company’s technology is poised to provide shoppers with instant answers to questions on e-commerce Web sites.
Qazzow is led by UW professors Andy Ko and Jake Wobbrock as well as University of Waterloo professor Dr. Parmit Chilana.
Wobbrock says that the technology provides the “easiest, fastest, and most efficient way for website and web application owners to get answers to their users.” Pilot customers that have used the service include Ben Bridge Jeweler, Game House, Big Fish Games, PetHub and Yapta.
The company says it can help online retailers reduce support costs by as much as 40 percent, getting a better understanding of why customers abandon purchases or leave the site.
“Without a doubt, many online companies are looking to increase sales, reduce support costs, and gain insights into their customers, particularly as e-commerce increasingly moves to smartphones and tablets,” said Thong Le of WRF Capital. “We believe that the market will respond favorably to Qazzow’s desktop and mobile product offerings, and that Qazzow will be well-positioned for rapid growth over years to come.”
As a result of the deal, Le, along with Voyager Capital’s Bill McAleer and tech industry vet Ken Myer, will join the board.
