‘Zero Data’ leader CitizenMe raises $2m to fund mission to “fix the internet”

• October 26, 2021
• StJohn Deakins
• no comments

London, UK. 9:00am GMT, 26 October 2021

CitizenMe has announced an investment of $2 million in a round led by the North East Venture Fund (NEVF), supported by the European Regional Development Fund, and managed by Mercia, with participation from 1818 Venture Capital. The money will fund its mission to “fix the internet” and become a global leader in a new category called Zero-Party-Data which allows consumers to take control of their data, and choose what data to share with companies, in exchange for fair and immediate payment. This investment will also be used to enhance CitizenMe’s edge computing AI capabilities, and grow its presence in the US and UK markets.

Today, our personal data is scattered across the internet, harvested by big tech companies like Facebook, Google and faceless data brokers. CitizenMe’s ‘Zero Data’ technology introduces a simple change with a massive impact: people reclaim their digital superpower over their personal data by using a smartphone and the CitizenMe app. Companies and organisations use CitizenMe to request anonymised data and insights directly from consumers in real-time, in a fair, transparent and ethical exchange of value.

With more than 7.5 million zero-party data exchanges already completed on the CitizenMe SaaS platform, this method of sharing data is quickly establishing itself as the voice of the customer. It enables customer-centric businesses to drive unique insights and one-to-one personalisation. With over 9000+ Google reviews and counting, customers agree.

Digital Citizens have chosen to pre-share over 350+ different data types: from housing to income to their personality types. Such data can be used for segmentation strategies. But more importantly, CitizenMe can ensure a business’s segmentation strategy remains up to date with changing trends. Researchers can also use CitizenMe for prototype testing and rapid product development.

“Personal data. CitizenMe enables people and brands to co-create better digital products, services and life outcomes. We are delighted that Mercia and 1818 share our belief in a sustainable digital future and our lead in the new Zero Data category. It is time to fix the internet by putting the control of data where it should be: in the hands of Digital Citizens.”

StJohn Deakins, CitizenMe Founder

This is just the first step. CitizenMe is already helping Digital Citizens to understand themselves in a digital world. The app will increasingly provide a 360 view of people’s digital selves, and provide insights into life-style choices such as health and finances. By helping people to understand themselves better, companies can better understand their customers. Everyone benefits.

“Growing concern about the use of personal data is creating demand for a new type of customer data technology. CitizenMe offers a solution, enabling consumers to retain ownership of their personal data and companies to access it in an ethical way. The company is already ahead of the field and has huge potential for growth.”

Thea Tebble, Mercia

The Covid pandemic, combined with yet more data regulations, has accelerated demand for a new type of customer data technology. Major consumer brands are now piloting the underlying CitizenMe Zero Data technology to future-proof their business with their own customers and markets. They get rapid, fast access to a single source of truth.

“Data privacy is of ever-increasing importance to consumers and regulators. Companies want and need to be able to personalise while respecting those desires. CitizenMe’s Zero Party Data solution elegantly enables all those needs to be met.”

Marc Cohen, Partner, 1818 Venture Capital

By being Citizen-First, and enabling people to participate in the exchange of their data, CitizenMe is part of a groundswell of ethical data companies delivering the required technology to change the internet. These include the MyData organisation and Tim

Berners-Lee’s SOLID protocol. CitizenMe is an active partner in this transformational new ecosystem seeking to create a more sustainable digital future.

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