Innovative Welsh firm OpenGenius has secured funding of £1.1m.
With the backing of an equity investment package of £500,000 from the Development Bank of Wales and a further £600,000 from private investors, OpenGenius has its sights on global expansion and stock market flotation.
Cardiff-based OpenGenius, which develops high-tech software for innovators and creative teams, has enjoyed increasing momentum over the past few years.
Task management app, DropTask, has attracted a worldwide customer base, with teams and individuals at Harvard University, Nike, Ralph Lauren, Coca-Cola and McDonald's, among others, all joining its client list. Whilst iMindMap is an all-in-one Mind Mapping and visual thinking tool – the software is used for creative ideation by a large number of varied industries; ranging from education to finance.
In 2017, OpenGenius became the first Welsh company to be selected for the international 'accelerator' training and networking programme (ELITE) at the London Stock Exchange. A scheme which has helped them develop their scalable business model as well as building new strategic partnerships, increasing sales and raising awareness of their brand and pioneering products.
The DropTask app brings structure and transparency to every day work by allowing users to assign tasks, display progress, and increase productivity through enhanced collaboration. iMindMap uses brainstorming techniques and an intuitive user interface to facilitate visual and creative thinking; it has been taken up in industries ranging from education to finance.
Owner and founder Chris Griffiths said: "OpenGenius is excited to gain this investment; it will play a big part in the company's development over the next year as we continue to expand our international customer base."
The company's innovative approach extends beyond its products. Its headquarters lie in Tec Marina, a creative workplace in Penarth. The unit ('Wales's answer to Silicon Valley') was built specifically for OpenGenius to foster an atmosphere of open thinking and entrepreneurship.
“We’re proud to be based in Wales, and firmly believe that DropTask can help people improve their productivity all around the globe. With this investment, we can accelerate the development of DropTask, and be more aggressive in our marketing. We have our sights set on flotation in the very near future, and this investment takes us one step closer.”
Alexander Leigh, a Technology Venture Investments Executive with the Development Bank of Wales who led the transaction said: “This £1.1m investment will provide OpenGenius with the capital it needs to further refine its innovative SAAS platform and accelerate its global expansion plans.
"As lead investor the development bank recognises the importance of the co-investment from sophisticated private investors who bring considerable sector experience to the company.
Chris Griffiths is a respected, Welsh entrepreneur and has built an impressive organisation with an experienced management team which now has the ability to scale up and create additional high calibre jobs at its headquarters in Tec Marina.”
This latest equity investment from the development bank follows a number of recent venture deals focussed on the rapidly expanding software sector within Wales. OpenGenius joins a cohort of the very best Wales based software companies within the Development Bank’s Tech Venture investment portfolio.
This investment was funded by the Wales Business Fund which is part-funded by the ERDF, through the Welsh Government. It was created specifically to support businesses with fewer than 250 employees based in Wales and those willing to move here.
