The marketing landscape has evolved so much over the past few years. From print ads, campaigns are now catered to the digital world and are mostly done through advanced design software. Apart from that, freelancers rule in creative content creation instead of ad agencies.
Because of this, branding is now the gospel need of ventures big and small. And as the demand for content grows, so does the importance of platforms that connect firms to creative talent.
This current business need explains why Upwork, Fiverr, and 99Designs are among the hottest sites for branding services today.
Co-existing in this space are agencies such as Superside that also thrive in the digital ad realm. The company makes it easy for firms to tap local talents for branding needs. Typically, these are logo design, ads, and other design efforts.
Recently, the startup raised a $30 million fund to expand operations and welcome new talent to their team. The funding round will be led by Prosus Ventures and Lugard Road Capital. This will be the firm's first big investment round since its launch.
Formerly known as Konsus, the firm seeks to expand its network of creatives from 350 to 1,000 and even up to 10,000. It will also use the fund to hire more engineers to improve its own design software.
Tech-driven design startup
Superside has a lot in common with other design agencies. The Palo-Alto-based startup offers subscription-based services for enterprises in need of design ideas. However, it stands out because it operates on a wholly remote basis. Aside from that, it also uses in-house project management tools to cater to clients' needs.
It has also proven itself a powerhouse in driving sales. Even with a small $5.5 million capital, it has proven to be a reliable supplier for Silicon Valley ventures. Amazon, Facebook, and Shopify join the ranks of their 400-strong customer base.
Owners Fredrick Thomassen and Sondre Rasch have been leading the firm since 2015. Today, it has 150 staff members and 350 designers across 57 countries.
In terms of Superside pricing, the subscription service is flexible and comes with benefits. Walk-throughs to the design service and onboarding to their in-house design tech are included.
This process makes it easier for clients and managers to collaborate on presentation decks, branding demands, and other needs. Superside reviews reveal that clients are fond of this tool, as well as the fast turnaround rate of projects.
The firm's Level 1 deal starts at $8,000 for 100 hours of work per month. This already includes a dedicated team of designers, managers, and a director.
The firm's reviews reveal good communication lines between managers and clients. The presence of managers and teams also allows for easy scaling from small to bigger projects.
A plan to expand further across the globe
Prosus Ventures is famous for raising funds for tech-based startups that focus on developing economies.
The $30 million Series A funds push Superside at an advantage against other players in the market. For one, it's the biggest investment it has seen since its inception. Also, the funding paves the way for global expansion and service upgrades.
The firm is keen on riding the design wave. The owners are looking to hire engineers and design experts to take advantage of its DesignOps technology. At the same time, it plans to create more equal opportunities around the globe by hiring more talent, especially in South Africa, where a majority of its talent is based.
The firm knows that freelance creatives will only grow more in demand with the changing digital marketing tactics. The new funds will be used to greatly scale up operations by making decisive moves that will boost sales and reach.
