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Based in Plano, Texas, e-Rewards operates an exclusive, invitation-only online market research panel that allows members to earn redeemable currency by completing consumer surveys for global brands. The company monetizes its proprietary platform by selling digital data collection services and targeted consumer insights to over 3,000 corporate clients operating across 38 countries. Operating with approximately 139 employees, the platform manages a substantial user base of over 2 million active members across four continents who process roughly 100,000 reward redemptions monthly. The enterprise previously secured a $60 million minority equity investment from lead investor TA Associates to support its ongoing strategic expansion initiatives. To broaden its international presence and mobile research capabilities, the firm completed the notable corporate acquisitions of London-based Research Now and iPinion, LLC. The digital market research organization was originally founded in 1999.
e-Rewards has raised $15.0M across 1 funding round.
e-Rewards has raised $15.0M in total across 1 funding round.
e-Rewards has raised $15.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $15.0M Series U in December 1998.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 1, 1998 | $15M Series U | — | Polaris Partners | Announced |
e-Rewards is a market research platform that enables users to complete online surveys, polls, product tests, and real-world missions in exchange for e-Rewards currency, which can be redeemed for rewards.[1][2][5] Headquartered in Plano, Texas, and founded in 1999, it serves researchers and brands seeking consumer insights while providing participants with incentives, operating as a consumer panel with a focus on privacy and diverse feedback methods.[1][3][5] The company has raised $80M in total funding across 2 rounds, including a $60M round, and employs around 87 people, generating $16.4M in revenue.[1]
It solves the challenge of gathering high-quality, permission-based consumer data for market research by incentivizing participation through rewards, targeting everyday users interested in topics like news, brands, and entertainment.[2][5] Growth includes strategic acquisitions like iPinion in 2013 to bolster mobile research capabilities amid rising smartphone adoption.[3]
Founded in 1999 in Plano, Texas, e-Rewards emerged as a pioneer in permission-based digital data collection, initially focusing on survey-based rewards systems.[1][3] The company quickly expanded through its business units, including Research Now, e-Miles, Peanut Labs, and Conversition Strategies, growing to over 1,200 employees worldwide and serving 3,000+ clients in 38 countries by the early 2010s.[3]
A pivotal moment came in 2013 with the acquisition of iPinion, a mobile research leader founded in 2010, which integrated advanced mobile surveys, geo-location targeting, and behavioral research to capitalize on the smartphone boom—over 30% of the global mobile population using smartphones at the time.[3] This move, led by President and CEO Kurt Knapton, positioned e-Rewards as a global leader in innovative data collection methods.[3]
e-Rewards rides the wave of digital market research, fueled by exponential mobile adoption and demand for real-time consumer insights in an data-driven economy.[3] Its timing aligns with the shift from traditional panels to incentivized, tech-enabled platforms, enabling brands in sectors like FMCG, tech, and media to gather actionable feedback efficiently.[2][3]
Market forces favoring it include rising privacy regulations and the need for high-engagement panels amid survey fatigue, positioning it against competitors like PureSpectrum and Survmetrics through its rewards model and mobile prowess.[2] It influences the ecosystem by accelerating mobile research adoption, as seen in the iPinion deal, helping agencies and enterprises innovate in behavioral and geo-targeted studies.[3]
e-Rewards is poised to expand in AI-enhanced surveys and gamified missions, capitalizing on growing demand for nuanced consumer data in personalized marketing.[3][5] Trends like mobile-first research and privacy tech will shape its path, potentially through further acquisitions or platform integrations amid a market projected to prioritize real-time insights.
As a veteran in rewards-based panels, its evolution from 1999 surveys to global mobile leadership underscores adaptability—watch for deepened B2B analytics tools to sustain momentum in competitive landscapes.[1][2][3] This positions it to remain a key enabler for brands decoding consumer behavior in a fragmented digital world.
e-Rewards has raised $15.0M in total across 1 funding round.
e-Rewards's investors include Polaris Partners.
