UK SaaS business OpenBlend attracts investment and talent in the post pandemic HRTech landscape.

OpenBlend, the SaaS platform transforming the way companies and their employees think about performance management has taken additional funding and appointed David Grundy as Chair to support rapidly growing demand for its products and services. OpenBlend performance management software helps companies, and their employees stay engaged and productive as they respond to the new challenges and opportunities presented by the pandemic and the new world of work.  

UK based OpenBlend has received funding from the FSE Group through the Thames Valley Berkshire Growth Fund which has been matched with investments from a number of high-profile SaaS Angels.  

Alongside this round, David Grundy was appointed as Chair and will be working closely with OpenBlend founder and CEO Anna Rasmussen to support the business through the next stage of growth.  Grundy previously co-founded Invenias, the leading SaaS platform for executive hiring which was acquired by Bullhorn in 2018.  He is currently a Venture Partner with MMC Ventures, Board Observer at MMC portfolio company StorageOS and Chair at SaaS Marketing platform StoryStream.

David Grundy, Chair at OpenBlend, said,

“The past 18 months have highlighted the critical importance of good communication between managers and their teams.  As we move into a post pandemic world with permanent adjustments to physical working models and expectations of a better work/life balance, OpenBlend can really help companies build stronger partnerships with their employees, driving better performance for the business while improving employee satisfaction and retention. OpenBlend is the right tool at the right time and I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with Anna, Kate and the team.”

Anna Rasmussen, CEO & Founder of OpenBlend, added,

“OpenBlend has always had a forward-thinking approach to performance management. Placing the employee at the centre of performance conversations is both logical and effective in driving high performance. Whilst the last 15 months has rocked many aspects of our working lives, the silver lining is how its accelerated the mindset in recognising ‘the human’ in high performing workforces. It’s how it should have always been and I’m thrilled with the outcome. Our time is now, the workplace needs OpenBlend and we very much look forward to scaling the business with the support of FSE.”

Bradley Jones, Equity Portfolio Manager at The FSE Group, commented,

“Having known OpenBlend through other FSE funding activities, we have been able to witness the great strides made by the business over the past two years. It was a real pleasure to work with Anna, Kate, David and the rest of the team to complete this funding round. In an ever-evolving work environment, OpenBlend is at the forefront of effecting change in its market. I look forward to working with the OpenBlend team as the business scales with its next stage of growth.”

Thames Valley Berkshire Growth Fund is part of Thames Valley Berkshire Funding Escalator, an £11.3m initiative funded by Thames Valley Berkshire LEP to support job creation and economic prosperity in Berkshire. The escalator, which also includes four separate loan schemes, provides eligible companies – from start-up to established – with loans and equity funding between £50,000 and £300,000 for activities that will deliver high-growth and employment opportunities.