A new data platform that will give early stage tech companies much faster data analysis powers has come out of stealth mode, amid an urgent need to give startups better decision making tools.
Count, which raised $2.4m in a previously un-announced seed round led by LocalGlobe, is launching formally and has opened up its data platform to startups working in the fight against the coronavirus crisis for free.
The seed funding round was led by LocalGlobe, with participation from Global Founders Capital. Angel investors including Charlie Songhurst, the former head of corporate strategy at Microsoft have also backed the round.
Count’s data consolidation and analysis features were designed to help growing tech companies make strategic and operational decisions with confidence.
The company was founded in 2016 by former management consultant Oliver Hughes and Imperial College physicist Oliver Pike, who were frustrated by the number of people who weren’t able to make data-driven decisions because of the complexity of standard data software and the technical and design constraints accepted by the industry.
Hughes said: “During our research we spoke with hundreds of teams who were struggling to move quickly because of the limitations of their data infrastructure.
“The teams making the most progress were having to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars a year, across separate solutions, to help them get their data under control and it was taking them up to 12-18 months to purchase and implement it all.
“Rather than iteratively purchase and implement different data products as internal resources allow, Count allows teams to create a mature data capability instantly so they can get on with growing the business. Count has a simple pay-as-you-go model so teams can start using the platform for free and only pay more as their team and data grow.”
Remus Brett, Partner at LocalGlobe, added: “Most people know that data is incredibly important but the ability to take it and tell stories with it still remains difficult. Now more than ever, we see the value in being able to process and analyse data at speed, to help us make critical decisions.
“Count makes it possible for even very early stage companies to begin making decisions based on analysis of their data.”
Count hopes the speed and ease of implementation of its platform will be of help to organisations tackling the direct and indirect impacts of the covid crisis. It is offering organisations 6 months free access to the Count platform as well as dedicated analytical support to teams most in need of analyst support.