Investment is led by African boutique investment and advisory firm HAVAIC, together with funding from UK-based investor Kevin Gaskell.
“We identify scalable early-stage businesses like delvv.io that have international potential – something that isn’t perceptible just by scrutinising a balance sheet,” says Ian Lessem, CEO of HAVAIC. “Enthusiastic management, consistent delivery, servicing globally-relevant markets, as well as a culture that attracts the best talent, are the hallmarks of a startup that will result in funding becoming a smart investment.”
delvv.io crowdsources professional feedback on advertising and marketing campaigns for advertising agencies and brands the ability to get meaningful early-stage inputon creative concepts, storyboards, apps and websites from an extensive network of independent specialists. This dramatically reduces the costs of testing new campaigns, and taking existing campaigns to new markets, while improving campaign performance.
“These are characteristics we recognise by spending time with entrepreneurs, learning about their industries and proposing financing arrangements that will drive long-term business growth –ultimately, this is what delivers favourable returns to long-term investors,” added Lessem.
Launched last year by co-founders, Trevor Wolfe and Remon Geyser, the founders say the firm has had a significant first year, signing 25 brand clients in South Africa, Asia and North America while increasing revenue by 150% in that time, and staff complement to seven.
In the meantime, delvv.io is eyeing multinational FCMG, tech and automotive clients, an expanded product suite and compound annual growth over 50% within five years of opening its doors.
The startup was a finalist in this year’s FNB Business Innovation Awards and the winner of the Ventureburn Pitching Den that took place at the 2016 Innovation Summit in September. As a result, itwill compete in Silicon Valley’s Startup World Cup in 2017, for a US$1-million investment prize.
