User Interviews Raises $10M Series A - Qualitative Research CRM

User Interviews Secures $10 Million in Series A Funding

User Interviews, a company backed by the Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator, specializing in CRM solutions for product research teams to gather user feedback, has successfully completed a $10 million Series A funding round.

Teamworthy Ventures spearheaded the financing, with additional participation from Las Olas, Accomplice, FJ Labs, ERA, Trestle Partners, and ValueStream.

From Failure to Innovation

The company’s origins, cofounded by Basel Fakhoury, stem from an initial venture that didn’t succeed. The team initially developed Mobile Suites, a platform designed for hotel amenity logistics.

Recognizing the need for a different approach, Fakhoury, along with Dennis Meng and Bob Saris, resolved to conduct more thorough user research before embarking on their next project.

Addressing a Critical Pain Point in User Research

During their research efforts, they identified a significant obstacle. Companies frequently encounter lengthy delays, often spanning weeks or even months, when attempting to execute user research studies.

This realization prompted them to develop a platform capable of efficiently and rapidly sourcing participants for research, utilizing an algorithm to connect clients with qualified and engaged individuals.

The Evolution of User Interviews’ Product Suite

The initial offering, named Recruit, operated on an a la carte basis. To enhance Recruit, the team subsequently introduced Research Hub, a CRM and recruitment tool specifically designed for research teams to manage their participant panels.

It’s important to note that User Interviews does not directly conduct surveys or A/B tests; instead, it facilitates the management of participants and logistical aspects of these studies.

Recently, a subscription model was integrated, enabling companies to access the software on an annual basis, providing an alternative to the usage-based pricing.

Fakhoury explains that this dual-model approach allows potential clients to evaluate the platform before making a full commitment.

Impressive Growth and Notable Clients

The startup reports a substantial 140 percent year-over-year growth rate, a trend that has been further accelerated by the recent pandemic.

Among its clientele are prominent organizations such as Amazon, Microsoft, Colgate, and Spotify.

Future Plans and Team Expansion

The newly acquired funding will be allocated towards expanding the product development team and establishing integrations with existing user testing software and clients’ data management systems.

Currently, the team comprises approximately 50 individuals, operating entirely remotely, with women constituting nearly half of the workforce.

Navigating Dual Challenges

Fakhoury identified the company’s primary challenge as the need to effectively pursue two distinct objectives simultaneously.

“We are concurrently disrupting a traditional industry with Recruit, and simultaneously establishing a new category with Research Hub,” he stated. “Balancing these somewhat divergent strategies and missions is a key focus for us.”

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