Capital D, the next-generation private equity fund manager investing in disruptive mid-market businesses across Europe, has become the first institutional investor in Qmee, acquiring a majority stake. Headquartered in Reading, UK, Qmee is a data driven rewards and loyalty company that uses a sophisticated tech platform powered by machine learning and AI, to collect insights, data and opinions from the public on behalf of brands and polling organizations.

Capital D plans to help to accelerate Qmee’s expansion plans to build a high-performing commercial organization to drive forward both sample exchange partnerships and sales of its white-label third-party audience software management tools.

Jean-Marc Jabre, co-founder, Capital D, said, “It comes down to one simple idea: finding new ways for businesses to connect with their consumers. With its cutting-edge tech, Qmee is a business operating at exactly this intersection within the research and consumer insight ecosystem. Qmee fits well with our strategy of backing growing and profitable disruptive companies where we become the first reference shareholder alongside a founding management team. Qmee’s ability to offer businesses access to efficient, low cost, genuine first-party data is becoming increasingly important as brands yearn to stay connected with their customers.”

Jonathan Knight, CEO and founder, Qmee, added, “The Capital D team has deep sector knowledge across e-commerce, market research and innovative technology and we are delighted to have partnered with them for the next stage of our journey. Qmee is revolutionizing the way people and brands connect. The shifting focus towards online privacy and the move away from third-party data means our business model is becoming only more relevant. Today, more than ever, in the context of uncertain operating environments, businesses want to know what their customers and users are thinking.”