E-commerce and financial technology firm Rakuten led an $18m round for US-based web and mobile engagement technology developer CafeX Communications yesterday.
Founded in 2013, CafeX provides software that seeks to increase engagement and collaboration between companies, their teams and customers in web and mobile applications.
The closure of the funding follows CafeX’s recent acquisition of India-based Vayyoo Rooms, through which it added virtual meeting technology to its product offering.
CafeX signed a Japanese distribution agreement with Rakuten’s information and communication technology subsidiary, Rakuten Communications, in November 2016, and Rakuten also supplies assistance with product and market strategy in the Asia Pacific region.
Rami Musallam, chief executive of CafeX, said: “As a company on the front line with enterprise customers every day, Rakuten’s lead position in this series C round is a clear affirmation that CafeX has products that address real customer needs across multiple markets.
“This capital investment will fuel CafeX’s globalisation development activities as well as support expansion into new geographic regions.”
CafeX has now raised a total of $50m, having closed a $21m series B round in early 2015 featuring semiconductor maker Intel’s corporate venturing unit, Intel Capital, as well as financial services firm USAA, Illuminate Ventures and various angel investors.
The company had previously completed a $10.4m series A round in mid-2014, according to a regulatory filing.