Podium

Podium is a CRM platform aimed at facilitating local-level interaction between SMEs and their customers. Podium allows users to communicate with potential leads, customers, and teams via a messaging feature; integrates customer reviews via social media and emails; and offers competitor insights. It has experienced significant growth, with annual recurring revenue (ARR) increasing to USD 100 million by end 2019 (compared with USD 60 million in 2018 and just USD 1 million in 2015). As of February 2022, the platform was used by more than 100,000 local businesses—more than double the number reported in March 2020.

Podium added payment solutions to its platform with the introduction of “text-to-pay’ solutions (March 2020) and a portable card reader for in-person payments (June 2021).  The company claimed that SMEs could improve working capital management by collecting payments 80% faster and reduce bad debts by improving aged debt collection rates by 300%.

Podium claimed that its service had helped local businesses generate a 67% increase in website visits, on average. It also claims clients experience clicks and listing view growth of 85% and 52%, respectively, within the first three months of use.

In November 2021, Podium raised USD 201 million in a Series D round led by YC Continuity. This round valued Podium at more than USD 3 billion, more than doubling its value compared to its last funding round in April 2020. The company aimed to use the funding for continued market growth and product development.