Visual Web Analytics Firm Piqora Raises $7.7m

Pinterest analytics specialist Piqora has raised $7.7m in a Series A funding round, which it will use to double its workforce, develop deeper visual analytics, expand its content management and CRM capabilities, and open new offices across the US.

Silicon Valley-based Piqora emerged from private beta in 2012, with $1.4m in seed funding. The firm aims to connect businesses with their most influential brand advocates, using a cloud-based data engine to capture data and insight generated by 'pins' and 'repins' posted on Pinterest, while also providing analytics for other visual social media networks such as Instagram and Tumblr. Alongside news of its new funding round, the firm has launched a tool called 'Instagram Conversation Manager', to enable brands to engage their Instagram communities outside the site's mobile app, using a web-based dashboard.

New funding has been led by DFJ with participation from Freestyle Capital, Baseline Ventures, Lazerow Ventures, Firebolt Ventures and Altos Ventures, bringing total financing to more than $11m to date. Funds will also be used to hire more image recognition technology engineers and customer strategists.

Piqora co-founder and CEO Sharad Verma (pictured) comments: 'The visual web is a two-way street where brands and consumers are discovering each other, communicating visually, expressing tastes and understanding intent. This latest investment will allow us to continue executing on our vision of bringing brands and consumers together in new ways to foster deep, authentic relationships.'

Web site: www.piqora.com .