TrustYou, a Germany-based consumer feedback platform operator backed by publishing conglomerate Ganske Verlagsgruppe, has been acquired by human resources company Recruit for an undisclosed sum.
Established in 2008, TrustYou operates a platform that enables hotels to gain feedback from their visitors. The company processes approximately 100 million reviews per year for thousands of hotels – both chain-owned and independent locations – across the world.
The company’s review summarisation and ranking data are also used by search engines and travel sites such as Skyscanner, Hotels.com, Kayak, Google Search and Google Maps.
TrustYou secured undisclosed amounts over three rounds in 2008 and 2009 from enterprise software developer HP Autonomy (then known as Autonomy Corporation), publishing group Ganske Verlagsgruppe and VC firms HV Holtzbrinck Ventures and Omnes Capital.
Crédit Agricole Private Equity, the investment unit of banking group Crédit Agricole, subsequently led a $5m round for the company in 2011.
TrustYou’s management, including co-founders Jakob Riegger and Benjamin Jost, will remain with the business. The company plans on using Recruit’s resources to boost its international growth activities and accelerate product development.
Yoshihiro Kitamura, head of media and solution strategic business at Recruit, said: “TrustYou sparked our interest three years ago with its unique technology and product portfolio, as well as its highly successful, entrepreneurial team.
“Its remarkable growth from a small start up to a globally operating company is very impressive to us, and we see a high potential for further growth and expansion.
“We are very committed to providing TrustYou with the necessary resources it needs to spearhead our big ambitions in the hospitality and travel market.”