Business Growth Fund invests £1.25 million in data aggregation firm

Collision Management Systems will invest the funds in accelerating its market expansion.

Data aggregation specialists Collision Management Systems (CMS) has received a £1.25 million investment from the Business Growth Fund (BGF), following the launch of its telematics data aggregation, risk management and crash detection software, aimed at telematics and insurance businesses.

The funding will help accelerate CMS’s market expansion following a year of strategic licensing deals with insurers, such as global giant Swiss Re; and telematics vendors who are looking to exploit CMS’s technology-agnostic solution to deliver field-proven benefits.

Founded in 2012 by CEO Charles Smith, the architect behind CMS’s software platform, the company aims to take advantage of the growing use of connected vehicle technology and an industry-wide desire for greater accuracy, efficiency and cost reduction when managing risk and processing insurance claims.

CMS’s ability to aggregate and standardise data from multiple sources and systems, is proving increasingly attractive to businesses abroad, the business says. It is now engaged in projects in the US, South America, Middle East and Japan. Its platform is also opening up vertical opportunities at home, including recent consultations with Heathrow’s Innovation Technologists.

Hiring staff

CMS will use BGF’s investment to build upon the sales-traction gained in the last 12 months, assisted by the hiring of more senior product and sales staff in the UK and US.

Smith says, ‘As our reputation grows at home and abroad, we are eager to build on the momentum, scaling our software and services even further. We have moved to new premises in Milton Keynes, to accommodate our growing team and to position us at the heart of the UK-connected vehicle market.

‘We wanted an investment partner who could follow our long-term growth ambitions and contribute additional support and connections. BGF fits that bill exactly and we’re looking forward to working with its team to accelerate our commercial success.’

James Syrotiuk, of BGF, who will sit on the CMS board says, ‘CMS stands out in the national and international market as an ambitious business that has developed proven, market-leading and future-focused technology. We are partnering with an exciting management team that has successfully steered the company from an initial concept to winning contracts with notable global brands.

‘They have developed an excellent reputation among earlier investors, peers and customers and we’re delighted to be supporting them through their planned and sustainable growth.’

Further reading on market deals and fundraising

Ben Lobel

Ella Swaniawski

Ben Lobel was the editor of SmallBusiness.co.uk and GrowthBusiness.co.uk from 2010 to 2018. He specialises in writing for start-up and scale-up companies in the areas of finance, marketing and HR.

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