ExploreB2B, an innovative web portal for establishing business contacts, has concluded an investment round with a six-figure sum from the Investment Bank of Berlin (IBB). The money is part of the ProFIT (Programm zur Förderung von Forschung, Innovation und Technik, or Program for the Development of Research, Innovation and Technology), which requires applicants to prove the innovative nature of their projects.
Founded by Dr. Susanna Gebauer and her brother Jonathan Gebauer in 2010, exploreB2B is an article-based platform for business-to-business communication and collaboration. Taking a new approach to networking through “thematic intersections between different business topics”, the company is planning to quickly expand its functionality and userbase and to enter other European markets, with new functions and a revamped design set to be introduced in mid-October. “This investment allows us to quicken our development cycle so new and innovative parts will reach our userbase faster”, said Jonathan, the company’s co-CEO and product manager.
The final decision to award eploreB2B the ProFIT funding was made by a board of state representatives and business experts, and the program offers an alternative form of financing for startups. Dr. Susanna Gebauer, former strategy and management consultant and now co-CEO of exploreB2B, said: “The closing of this financial round via the ProFIT program allows us the flexibility and opportunities of an external investment, while we keep full control and shares in our company.”