IQBlade’s platform allows businesses to gain real-time insight into competitors, business partners and customers, enabling them to make data driven decisions. Tony McDonough reports

A Liverpool business analysis firm that offers its clients “competitive intelligence and market insight” has secured £325,000 of new equity funding to grow its employee numbers from seven to 32.

The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF) is investing the cash into IQBlade that offers a  web platform that delivers competitive insight to accelerate business growth.

NPIF is delivered by MSIF, formerly known as Merseyside Special Investment Fund, working with Maven Capital Partners in the Liverpool city region.

IQBlade’s platform allows businesses to gain real-time insight into competitors, business partners and customers, enabling them to make data driven decisions needed to react swiftly to market changes.

Key features of the platform include financial benchmarking, growth analysis, intelligent partner search, news tracking and real-time analysis of a company’s marketing capability.

Initial clients include global IT brands and Government bodies wishing to analyse and transform supply chains. 

The investment will allow IQBlade to grow the business further, by boosting its headcount to include software engineers, data researchers, QA specialists and sales people.

It will also allow the firm to increase its current marketing activity, with a new website, corporate videos and PR, all planned for the coming months.

Antony Young, director and co-founder of IQBlade, said: “The investment from NPIF enables us to help more clients to navigate significant changes occurring in the technology industry and local government.

“We believe that it’s crucial to have accurate, real-time data at your fingertips when defining strategy and making investments during this time.

“We have an aggressive growth plan and are looking forward to building a great team to achieve it.”

Simon Thelwall-Jones, MSIF investment director, who delivered the investment on behalf of Maven Capital, added: “I found the management team at IQBlade really impressive; they have great industry knowledge, with a combined 50 years of experience working in IT.”