Since banking $1.2 million last summer, Seaport-based startup Crowdly has been steadily building momentum. The company launched this week Crowdly 2.0, a new version of its platform that allows brands to identify and build relationships, with their biggest advocates to drive brand loyalty, advocacy and sales.
The second version of the product is a more streamlined and targeted offering than its predecessor, explained Crowdly Founder and CEO Dan Sullivan.
“Initially, we were very much positioning ourselves to get brands more Facebook advocates,” said Sullivan. But, the team realized that the customers were getting excited about the actionable ways in which they could connect with advocates. “Facebook is one way, but it’s not the only one,” added the CEO.
The former Techstars startup grew revenues over 300 percent in the first half of 2014 compared to this time last year. It’s also increased its customer base by 400 percent in the same period. The startup now counts top brands like SodaStream, Hilton, Lowes, Hendrick’s Gin and Sailor Jerry’s among its clientele.
“Crowdly’s new platform capabilities allow us to track individual fan engagement and influence over time, and connect with true brand loyalists," noted Laurie Warden, director of strategy at MMB, in a statement. “This helps us tie influence to ROI, and foster smarter relationships that drive the bottom line.”
Crowdly cut 40 percent of the buttons from its advocate platform in order to focus on sourcing brands’ advocates, and giving them ways to connect with them.
“There are a lot of Swiss army knives out there that do a little bit of everything, but now we’re a can opener,” explained Sullivan.
Crowdly has expanded its team to nine, and plans on being 25 people come next year.
