Jan 08, 2015
Edison Partners Exits B2B Marketing Data Management Leader, Generates 4X Return
LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ, January 8, 2014 – Edison Partners announced today the strategic acquisition and successful exit of NetProspex to Dun & Bradstreet, the world’s leading source of commercial information and insight on businesses. Edison generated a 4X return and 54% IRR.
Headquartered in Waltham, MA, NetProspex created the B2B Marketing Data Management category, one of the three core marketing ingredients (in combination with Content and Automation) that fuel effective demand generation activities for the modern marketer.
The company’s SaaS-based Workbench platform provides an easy and cost-effective way for B2B marketers to analyze and improve their data health in real-time to ensure they are targeting the best prospects. With NetProspex, Dun & Bradstreet enhances its company business data offerings with a next-generation analytics and B2B data management pl
atform.
NetProspex revenue grew 8X since Edison’s initial investment in 2010, which was also the Company’s first institutional capital raised. “Great companies begin with great cultures; NetProspex embodies this philosophy with a culture driven by innovation, customer success and personality,” stated Ryan Ziegler, General Partner of Edison Partners. “Michael Bird and team successfully built the Marketing Data Management category with a high-growth, subscription-based business model, delivering great value to hundreds of B2B marketing organizations.” Ziegler led Edison’s investment and served on the board along with Edison Director Network members, Paul Schmidt and Andre Yee.
“From the beginning, our focus has been to build a company that creates value by tackling our customer’s biggest data challenges with an innovative approach, deep expertise and a partnership mentality,” said Michael Bird, CEO of NetProspex. “Over the past four years, the strategic guidance and support of Ryan and the Edison team has helped us effectively navigate through each stage of our journey. We are extremely proud of the kind of company we have built together and excited to be taking the next step as part of Dun & Bradstreet.”
Edison Partners has financed and guided 200 private companies, including 29 Interactive Marketing companies, encompassing advertising and marketing technology, and digital media and entertainment. The current Interactive Marketing portfolio includes Arkadium, Fishbowl, Lifebooker, Magnetic, MediaBrix, Motionsoft, Offerpop, Operative, RealMatch and Salsa Labs.
About NetProspex
NetProspex is the smarter B2B data services partner. NetProspex helps marketing and sales organizations optimize their revenue impact by increasing the quality and effectiveness of their marketing data management practices. Hundreds of B2B organizations rely on NetProspex for continuous data management, target market analysis, improved inbound lead intelligence and targeted audience acquisition to fuel high-performing marketing campaigns and accelerate the creation of sales pipeline. For more information, visit www.netprospex.com.
