Powerlinx, a US-based platform that helps companies form strategic partnerships, has received $7m in series A funding from a consortium featuring business information company Altares D&B.
The round was co-led by Powerlinx founders – Steve Alesio, Doron Cohen, Christine Christian and David Emery – and unnamed strategic investors.
Founded in 2012, Powerlinx’s technology relies on big data, machine learning and business analytics to identify possible collaboration deals for companies.
The platform, which Powerlinx claims indexes 52 million companies, can be used for goals such as joint ventures, supply chain agreements or raising funding.
The collaboration agreement with Altares D&B was first revealed at the Big Data Paris Conference in March 2016, when Powerlinx’ platform came out of beta. Powerlinx’s founders provided $2.4m in initial seed funding in 2012, before adding another $1.4m in 2014.
Cohen said: “The partnership arena is often limited to big business due to expensive consulting services. Powerlinx now brings a business-matching partnership platform, backed by big data capabilities, to any company, regardless of sector or size, across the world.
“Never before has this industry been so ripe for disruption.”