UNGUESS Company Profile

Background

Overview

UNGUESS, established in 2015 within the "Mobile Lab" research center of Politecnico di Milano, is Italy's pioneering platform utilizing crowdtesting methodologies to enhance the quality, security, and user experience of digital products and services. The company leverages a global community of real users to provide actionable feedback on various digital interfaces, including apps, websites, e-commerce platforms, and chatbot interfaces.

Mission and Vision

UNGUESS's mission is to guide companies in making informed, data-driven decisions by integrating user feedback into the development process, thereby improving product quality and customer satisfaction. The vision is to transform the way businesses interact digitally with their customers by delivering innovative solutions that create real value and enhance user relationships.

Primary Area of Focus

The company specializes in crowdtesting, focusing on three key areas:

Quality: Identifying and resolving functional defects and bugs in software to ensure reliable and effective digital solutions.

Experience: Collecting data on user experience to optimize user and customer interactions with digital products.

Security: Enhancing the security of digital ecosystems through crowdsourced testing, including Bug Bounty programs involving certified ethical hackers.

Industry Significance

UNGUESS has established itself as a leader in the European crowdtesting market, serving over 300 clients across various sectors, including Pirelli, Costa Crociere, Sky Italia, ING, Enel, Lottomatica, Intesa Sanpaolo, and Axa. The company's innovative approach has set a benchmark for integrating real-user feedback into the digital development process, influencing industry standards and practices.

Key Strategic Focus

Core Objectives

Expansion: Strengthening its presence in France and other European markets to become a leading European group in User Experience research and Software Quality.

Innovation: Continuously developing and integrating new solutions, content, and services into the UNGUESS platform to meet evolving customer needs.

Sustainability: Achieving operational break-even and focusing on sustainable growth through strategic investments and partnerships.

Specific Areas of Specialization

Crowdtesting Methodologies: Utilizing a dynamic and global crowd to provide real-time, actionable insights across diverse digital interfaces.

User-Centric Research: Conducting comprehensive user experience research to inform product development and optimization.

Cybersecurity Testing: Implementing Bug Bounty programs with a community of certified ethical hackers to identify and resolve security vulnerabilities.

Key Technologies Utilized

TRYBER Platform: A proprietary, cloud-based platform that manages a vast crowd of testers and integrates data into all phases of development, providing seamless and efficient testing processes.

Crowdsourced Testing Tools: Advanced tools and methodologies for conducting functional testing, accessibility testing, and user research, ensuring comprehensive evaluation of digital products.

Primary Markets Targeted

Digital Product Development: Companies seeking to enhance the quality, security, and user experience of their digital products.

E-commerce Platforms: Businesses aiming to optimize online shopping experiences and ensure seamless transactions.

Mobile Applications: Developers and companies focusing on delivering high-quality mobile app experiences.

Enterprise Solutions: Organizations requiring robust and secure enterprise software solutions.

Financials and Funding

Funding History

UNGUESS has undergone two significant capital increases:

2020: Raised approximately €5 million to support growth and expansion initiatives.

2023: Closed a funding round of over €10 million, led by Fondo Italiano d’Investimento SGR through its Fondo Italiano Tecnologia e Crescita (FITEC), with participation from P101 SGR, Italian Angels for Growth (IAG), Club degli Investitori, and Club Italia Investimenti 2.

Total Funds Raised

Approximately €15 million across the two funding rounds.

Utilization of Capital

The funds have been allocated to:

Market Expansion: Strengthening presence in France and other European markets.

Platform Development: Integrating new solutions, content, and services into the UNGUESS platform.

Operational Growth: Achieving operational break-even and supporting sustainable growth initiatives.

Pipeline Development

Key Pipeline Candidates

UNGUESS focuses on expanding its service offerings in the following areas:

Accessibility Division: Launched in response to new accessibility legislation in Italy, aiming to provide comprehensive accessibility testing services.

User Research Conference (URCA!): Initiated in 2023, this conference aims to gather ideas, experiences, and stories from the world of User Research, with the fourth edition planned for 2026.

Stages of Development

Accessibility Division: Established in 2024, with services expected to be fully operational by June 2025.

URCA! Conference: Ongoing annual event, with the next edition scheduled for 2026.

Target Conditions

Digital Accessibility: Ensuring compliance with accessibility standards and regulations.

User Experience Research: Gathering insights to inform product development and optimization.

Anticipated Milestones

Accessibility Division: Full operational status by June 2025.

URCA! Conference: Successful execution of the fourth edition in 2026.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Proprietary Technologies

TRYBER Platform: A cloud-based platform that manages a vast crowd of testers and integrates data into all phases of development, providing seamless and efficient testing processes.

Significant Scientific Methods

Crowdtesting Methodology: Utilizing a dynamic and global crowd to provide real-time, actionable insights across diverse digital interfaces.

User-Centric Research: Conducting comprehensive user experience research to inform product development and optimization.

Cybersecurity Testing: Implementing Bug Bounty programs with a community of certified ethical hackers to identify and resolve security vulnerabilities.

Leadership Team

Executive Profiles

Luca Manara: Co-Founder and CEO. Former student at Politecnico di Milano, he co-founded UNGUESS in 2015 and has been instrumental in its growth and strategic direction.

Antonio Arezzo: Chief Financial Officer. Responsible for overseeing financial operations and strategic financial planning.

Federico Malvezzi: Chief Strategy Officer. Leads strategic initiatives and partnerships to drive company growth.

Valentina Coppini: Head of Customer Success & Delivery. Ensures client satisfaction and oversees the delivery of services.

Lorenzo Capecchi: Chief Community Officer. Manages the global community of testers and researchers.

Alessandro Caliandro: Head of UX. Leads user experience research and design initiatives.

Leadership Changes

Diego Devalle: Joined the Board of Directors in April 2021. He is the Chief Product Development Officer at Guidewire.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The crowdtesting and user experience research market is experiencing significant growth, driven

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