Less than a year after launching, South African creative technology startup delvv.io has successfully concluded a first-round funding, securing R6.5 million.<\/p>\n
Delvv.io crowdsources professional feedback on advertising and marketing campaigns. The platform provides advertising agencies and brands the ability to get early-stage input on creative concepts, storyboards, apps and websites from an extensive network of independent specialists.<\/p>\n
The aim is to help firms reduce the costs of testing new campaigns, and taking existing campaigns to new markets, while improving campaign performance.<\/p>\n
Investment is led by African boutique investment and advisory firm HAVAIC, together with funding from UK-based investor Kevin Gaskell.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe identify scalable early-stage businesses like delvv.io that have international potential \u2013 something that isn\u2019t perceptible just by scrutinising a balance sheet,\u201d said Ian Lessem, CEO of HAVAIC.<\/p>\n
\u201cEntering the funding phase is exciting because it means we can go-to-market faster and start international expansion. It is also frustrating as most venture capital funders in South Africa prefer mature and steady businesses while investing at an early-stage valuation,\u201d said Trevor Wolfe, co-founder of delvv.io.<\/p>\n
Delvv.io has signed 25 brand clients in South Africa, Asia and North America since launch, while increasing revenue by 150% in that time, and staff complement to seven.<\/p>\n