What is Become?
Founded in 2004, Become operates as a search engine and comparison shopping service designed to empower consumers with informed purchasing decisions. Leveraging its proprietary AIR (Affinity Index Ranking) search technology, the platform offers comprehensive product reviews and guides by scanning billions of web pages. With a vast catalog of over 25 million products from 5,000 merchants, Become facilitates product research and comparison shopping, enabling users to discover and acquire items from leading retailers at competitive prices. The company's reach extends across North America and Asia, serving both business and consumer markets with its technology-driven approach to e-commerce.
How much funding has Become raised?
Become has raised a total of $37.2M across 4 funding rounds:
Series A
$4.5M
Series B
$7.2M
Series C
$17.5M
Series D
$8M
Series A (2004): $4.5M with participation from TransCosmos
Series B (2005): $7.2M led by TransCosmos
Series C (2008): $17.5M supported by TPG Growth
Series D (2008): $8M featuring European Founders Fund
Key Investors in Become
TPG Growth
TPG Growth is a global investment firm known for its focus on managing alternative assets and supporting business expansion across various sectors. It provides investment management, advisory, and capital solutions, operating in private equity, credit, and real estate.
European Founders Fund
European Founders Fund is an investment company run by the Samwer brothers, focusing on young and later-stage technology and new media companies. They have a track record of investing in successful market leaders.
TransCosmos
TransCosmos is an investor that has provided backing to Become in its earlier funding rounds, indicating a strategic interest in the company's search and comparison shopping technology.
What's next for Become?
The substantial enterprise-level funding and recent strategic investment indicate that Become is likely in a scaling phase, aiming to enhance its market penetration and technological capabilities. This capital will likely be directed towards expanding its product offerings, refining its AIR search technology, and potentially entering new geographic markets. The company's focus on providing detailed product research and comparison shopping positions it to capitalize on the growing e-commerce landscape, with future strategies likely involving deeper merchant integrations and enhanced user personalization to maintain its competitive edge.
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