Needle is a Utah-based social eCommerce platform that connects online shoppers with certified product experts and brand evangelists through chat, video, and voice. Its web-based communications platform lets brands display banners or pop-ups that enable shoppers to click-to-connect with experts in real time. Needle identifies and certifies "Needlers," who work remotely on flexible schedules and are incentivized per client goals (sales, leads, or support). The company says many clients have seen doubled ROI, improved conversion and retention, and Net Promoter Scores above 72% versus a 47% industry average. Clients named in the article include Skullcandy, Woolrich, Under Armour, and Urban Outfitters. Needle positions its service as an alternative to text-based chat and aims to disrupt the global call-center market (~$100 billion). Financially, the company has raised outside capital and is expanding its remote-agent model to serve more retailers. Needle builds a guided shopping platform that connects crowdsourced experts and brand advocates with online shoppers through a chat platform layered with social commerce tools. The platform enables real-time conversations with product owners and passionate brand advocates, who are paid for their efforts, aiming to boost conversions at low cost. Its tools let ecommerce sites offer live, expert-led assistance before purchase decisions. Needle was founded by Morgan Lynch and Mikko Valimaki; Lynch previously founded Logoworks and Valimaki was chief scientist at Blue Coat Systems. Sam Decker sits on the company’s board and Jeff Kearl is listed as a board member and angel investor. An SEC filing indicates Needle is raising $2 million in its first round of financing.

Total raised

$13M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Series B

Latest activity

Jul 2012