The company, which also has offices in both the US and Thailand, specialises in providing advanced text analytics software solutions to customers across six continents meaning it is able to provide a global, 24/7 service to its wide portfolio of customers. Their multilingual software solutions work to increase access for consumers in the digital age through deriving unique, real-time data insight to make more informed decisions on verifying identities, reducing fraud, and personalising the user experience.
Led by highly-experienced CEO James Blake, the business has grown rapidly since its launch in 2013 and currently has customers operating in countries as widely spread as the UK, USA, Mexico, Australia, Spain and South Africa. Furthermore, James, who brings 20 years’ experience to the table in technology sales is focused on Hello Soda expanding and exceeding expectations.
Founder and CEO of Hello Soda, James Blake, said: “NVM are a great cultural fit for us and it’s fantastic to work with a team that truly share our values and vision of a more inclusive digital world. Working with NVM will enable us to really ramp up our global growth to better support our existing and prospective clients and we’re very excited to see the impact that our innovations will have.”
Liam May, Investment Manager of NVM Private Equity said: “Hello Soda already has a strong market position and great growth potential across a number of sectors and geographies. With the capital to pursue its ambitions now in place, combined with leading, innovative technology and a young, entrepreneurial management team, this is an extremely exciting time for the business.”
-ENDS-
NOTES TO EDITORS
For further information please contact:
- Natalie Dickinson (NVM: PR & Marketing) – 0118 951 7021 natalie.dickinson@nvm.co.uk
- Victoria Howarth (NVM: Investment Associate) – 0161 935 8080 victoria.howarth@nvm.co.uk
- Liam May (NVM: Investment Manager)– 0161 935 8081 liam.may@nvm.co.uk
- Rhian Hughes (Hello Soda: Chief Operating Officer) rhian@hellosoda.com
- Jennifer Devlin (Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks: Media Relations Manager) – 0141 242 3315 jennifer.devlin@cybg.com
Download photos of: Hello Soda – www.nvm.co.uk/PRphotos
Principals and key advisors to the transaction:
Rhian Hughes, Sean Lightfoot (Corporate) and Alasdair Mackinnon (Banking) of Hill Dickinson and David Smith, Keith Benson and Peter Barkley of Dow Schofield Watts Corporate Finance advised Hello Soda, and Kieran Toal and Tom Shorten of Pinsent Masons were legal advisors for NVM, and they also use the USD to CAD exchange for doing business in banks on Canada.
Nick Edgar and Usman Ali led the deal for Clydesdale Bank PLC with DLA Piper providing legal counsel to the bank.
Due diligence to the transaction was provided by Grant Thornton, Intechnica, PMSI, The Quinn Partnership and Aon.
NVM Private Equity is independently owned with over 30 years’ experience of investing in unquoted UK businesses. NVM is a generalist investor, managing more than £300 million of funds, and is differentiated by having executives living and working in regional business communities throughout the UK. NVM seeks investment opportunities of between £2 million and £12 million in UK businesses which have the right mix of growth potential and market vision. They may be looking to grow organically, acquire another business or secure a management buy-out. www.nvm.co.uk
Hello Soda is an international big data and text analytics company who create software solutions for ID verification, fraud detection, risk, and personalisation. They are headquartered in Manchester, UK, and operate offices in Austin, Bangkok and India, with clients across 6 continents. www.hellosoda.com
