8seats secures AUD $2m funding for global expansion plans

8seats, a messaging platform aimed at revolutionising workplace communication, has raised AUD $2 million in seed funding to support its development and expansion.

The funding round, led by Black Nova and supported by notable investors such as former Woolworths CEO Brad Banducci and tech entrepreneurs Mike Priddis and Greg Miller, is set to expedite 8seats' go-to-market strategy in anticipation of its public launch in 2025. This follows the successful early-access rollout of the platform.

8seats is focused on bridging the communication gap between office-based and deskless employees, offering a platform that combines familiar aspects of consumer messaging apps with workplace communication tools. "8seats is on a mission to disrupt the norm," declared Iain McDonald, Founder and CEO of 8seats. "In a world dominated by legacy platforms, we're here to give businesses a smarter, simpler way to connect and collaborate across every employee, from the shop floor to the boardroom."

The platform has been designed to eliminate the need for personal chat apps in work settings, thus mitigating risks associated with data and security breaches. Its AI-driven interface aims to streamline daily communications and improve productivity. Forecasts suggest that businesses with more than ten employees could see productivity gains equivalent to saving up to 12 weeks per year.

The startup has seen significant activity since its closed beta launch, processing over 300,000 messages, underscoring its impact on communication efficiency. Its approach has been backed by early investors who see 8seats as addressing the needs of an underserved market segment of deskless workers, which number approximately 12 million in Australia and over a billion worldwide.

Matt Browne, Managing Partner at Black Nova, expressed optimism about the platform's potential. "8seats has reimagined group messaging with an extremely credible solution that makes it easier for businesses to communicate. We're excited to be early partners on this journey and see enormous global potential for the company," he said.

The company also boasts a robust advisory board, including the likes of Jodie Fox, Founder and CEO of Shoes of Prey, John Moore, former Head of Innovation at Bupa, and Michael Buckley, former Managing Director of Accenture Digital. Additional angel investors include TBWA's President Paul Bradbury, Prezzee's Tony Karp, and Innovation Bay's Ian Gardiner.

With support from AWS and Google's startup programmes, 8seats is preparing for international expansion into the United States, United Kingdom, and Europe. The company plans to announce key partnerships in the near future to further develop its user base and enhance its platform's offerings.

"This mission is ambitious, and we're thrilled to have such experienced investors backing us," concluded McDonald. "Their support will help us challenge the status quo and deliver a product that better meets the needs of businesses and their employees."

Founded in 2021, 8seats is driven by Iain McDonald, co-founder Sandor Moldan, and a team seasoned in tech industry dynamics, with experience from companies such as Prezzee, SafetyCulture, Carma, Immutable, and Mable. The startup aims to position 8seats as the ideal choice for businesses of all sizes seeking efficient communication solutions.