Kiwi startup backed by Xero founder Rod Drury raises $4.5 million Series A

New Zealand customer messaging platform Atomic.io has raised $4.5 million in a Series A.

The round was led by veteran Wellington VC Movac, supported by K1W1, Hoku and existing investor and Atomic director Rod Drury as well as fellow Xero cofounder Hamish Edwards, along with former Xero execs Paula Jackson, Alistair Grigg, Paul Williams, and Ben Styles.

The capital lands as the startup moves into the Australian market, offering enterprise business the ability to communicate with their customers in-app. Atomic’s customer base includes ANZ Bank, Foodstuffs North Island, Kiwibank, Bank of New Zealand, and after an initial move into the US, healthtech provider SS&C Health.

Atomic’s low-code platform allows enterprise apps to find the communications channel that suits customers best, making it easier for them to interact, transact and communicate with a business.

Former BNZ exec Ben Pujji is Atomic’s CEO, with former Xero COO Alastair Grigg.

Pujji said they’ve been energised by the success to date in New Zealand for the push west across the Tasman.

“Within the past year we have signed up five of the biggest Kiwi enterprise companies. Our customers tell us once they start working with Atomic they can increase customer engagement literally overnight,” he said.

“It is a thrill to see Atomic.io provide so much value so quickly for our customers, and we’re excited to expand that impact to Australian businesses.

“We’ve got two amazing people on board in Carol Yeomans and adviser Ben Styles, and are looking to expand the team in Australia over the coming months.”

Drury said the capital injection set them up for the Australian launch with a base being established in Melbourne.

“The future of customer experience is proactive and personalised. Apps should work for you and let you know what you need to do next and give clear options,” he said.

“Atomic.io provides a platform for app developers to deliver those experiences. With a scarcity of mobile developers I love that Atomic allows business analysts and product managers to deliver measurable mobile experiences quickly across iOS, Android and Web.

Movac partner Mark Vivian will join the Atomic board as the business ramps up its global ambitions.

“What attracted me to the business was the quality of the team that’s been assembled, the clear market need, and case studies as to how enterprise customers have been able to extract significant value from using Atomic.io solutions,” he said.

“With a solid foundation of enterprise customers in New Zealand, and growing momentum in Australia and the US, we look forward to using our experience and networks to accelerate the business even further.”