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Purple is a UK-based technology firm that specializes in intelligent spaces.[1][2][3] The company offers a three core products guest WiFi, business analytics and digital wayfinding.
 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Business analysis, Software |
| Founded | 2012 |
| Founder | Gavin Wheeldon |
| Headquarters | Manchester, UK |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Gavin Wheeldon(CEO) |
| Services | Business analytics |
| Website | purple |
Purple introduced social media logins in the WiFi login process, where a customer has to like or follow or promote the social media page of the retail business to get the access of WiFi and in the process precious customer data also gets captured on its web portal. The captured data by Purple's integrated WiFi and location analysis solution can be used by the retail businesses for customer relationship management.[4]
History
editPurple was founded in 2012 by Gavin Wheeldon.[5][6] The company was incorporated in 2012 as 'Purple WiFi' to provide custom WiFi solutions for the retail businesses.[7]
Purple remained bootstrapped until 2015, before receiving its first round venture funding of $5 million from Sir Terry Leahy, CEO of Tesco,[8] Bob Willett, Iain MacDonald and Bill Currie from the William Currie Group and Juno Capital, a leading alternative asset manager.[9] The initial funding helped the company in building the technology and establishing roots in the international market. Purple was used by enterprises in events, leisure, hospitality, tourism, education, and retail industries.[10][11] The software started out as an analytics ad measurement tool, and expanded to a whole suite.[12]
The company expanded globally by partnering with major companies as its resellers in Australia,[13] US,[14] New Zealand, India,[15] UK and other countries.[16] In January 2016, the company rebranded its name to Purple.[17]
Purple expanded its product portfolio in 2019 by acquiring LogicJunction[18] specialists in indoor wayfinding.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "What defines a modern, secure, social WiFi network?". TechRadar. 6 March 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
- ^ Fiona Briggs (17 January 2014). "Why it works: Purple WiFi on how to use WiFi effectively to build profit in-store". Retail Times. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
- ^ Ben Sillitoe (23 February 2015). "Social Wi-Fi' launched in Schuh stores". Essential Retail. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
- ^ Geoff White (25 March 2014). "Inside the shopping centre that tracks your every move". Channel4 News. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
- ^ "Purple WiFi allows companies to grow through social media endorsements". ManchesterEvening News. 7 November 2012. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
- ^ "Big-name investors put £3.3m into firm". Oldham Evening Chronicle. 7 November 2012. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
- ^ Anh Nguyen (2 Mar 2015). "Sir Terry Leahy: Wifi provides retailers with crucial geolocation data". Tech World. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
- ^ Sam Shead (15 January 2015). "Ex-Tesco CEO Sir Terry Leahy and others fuel Purple WiFi's global expansion with £3.3m". Techworld. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
- ^ Ingrid Lunden (14 January 2015). "UK's Purple WiFi Raises $5M To Push Its Free Social WiFi Service Abroad". TechCrunch. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
- ^ Kevin Fitchard (14 January 2015). "UK hotspot startup Purple WiFi raises $5M". Gigaom. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
- ^ Fiona Briggs (15 January 2015). "Purple WiFi raises $5m investment for rapid international expansion". Retail Times. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
- ^ "Why we need to address the UK's digital skills shortage right now". PCR. 21 March 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
- ^ Jasmine O'Donoghue (5 May 2014). "Purple WiFi launches in Australia". Hospitality Magazine. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
- ^ "Purple WiFi Expands to the US". MrWeb Ltd. 20 March 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
- ^ "Purple WiFi teams up with Trend Vision in India". Telecompaper. 17 September 2015. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
- ^ Shelina Begum (19 August 2014). "Purple WiFi looks to US and Asia for global expansion". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
- ^ unknown (19 January 2016). "Purple WiFi Rebrands as Purple". Comms Business. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
- ^ Finch, Isabel (2019-10-25). "Purple acquires US wayfinding business LogicJunction". Business Live. Retrieved 2021-06-24.