Usermind cut 25% of its staff in March, preparing for the worst at the outset of the pandemic. But then came the increased attention on digital services across various verticals and markets, leading to a rush of interest in its marketing software.
Now investors like what they see on the horizon. The Seattle startup announced a $14 million round on Tuesday led by WestRiver Group, with participation from existing backers Andreessen Horowitz and Menlo Ventures. Total funding is $60 million to date.
Founded in 2013, Usermind’s “Experience Orchestration Platform” helps companies acquire, retain, and service customers. Its technology enables clients to provide contextually relevant and personalized messages to customers. Competitors include Adobe and Kitewheel, among others.
“The pandemic accelerated the interest and demand for delivering this type of service,” said Usermind CEO and co-founder Michel Feaster.
A recent survey from McKinsey found that the adoption of digital technologies has accelerated by several years.
Usermind now has more than 50 employees, close to its pre-pandemic headcount. It also recently brought on two key hires: Gary Davis as chief marketing officer, and Bryant Hoopes as senior director of customers success. Davis is a veteran of Intel and McAfee. Hoopes was previously at Adobe.
Laurel Buckner, managing director at WestRiver Group, joined the Usermind board as a result of the new funding.
“Usermind is uniquely positioned to bring data and technology together to enable this digital transformation and deliver an unparalleled level of personalization,” Buckner said in a statement.
