Agorize operates an online platform for hackathons and open innovation challenges that helps clients launch, organize, and share innovation challenges. Founded in Paris in 2011, the company has offices worldwide, including Toronto and Montreal, and says its community spans five million students, developers, and startups across 185 countries. Agorize has coordinated 500 hackathons, after which over 60,000 people have been recruited or have founded a startup. Its clients include L’Oréal, CBC, TD Insurance, Microsoft, National Bank, and Desjardins. The company said the C$20 million round will be used to expand its Canadian presence, strengthen its platform and community through R&D investment, and support a mass recruitment campaign for its global network of innovators. Currently, North America generates 12 percent of Agorize’s revenue and the company aims for the region to account for 25 percent of its income by 2021. Agorize operates a platform that hosts open-innovation challenges across dedicated communities (students, engineers, startups) to surface ideas and potential hires for corporate clients. The company designs and manages challenges on behalf of customers, promising more actionable recommendations than traditional surveys or Mechanical Turk. Clients mentioned in the article include Google, Microsoft and Bank of America. Challenge fees range from €10,000 up to more than €100,000 depending on scope. More than 2,000 universities worldwide participate in Agorize challenges, providing a large talent pool and community reach. Co-founder and CEO Charles Thou said the platform also functions as a recruitment channel for participating companies.

Total raised

$17M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

Apr 2019