Professional Networking Startup Shapr Raises $9.5 Million

Shapr closed $9.5 million in financing. Three investors participated in the round, including Bouygues Telecom and the Afflelou Family.

Shapr aims to revolutionize professional networking. Its software was developed as a free tool to help professionals meet for inspiring conversations and meaningful collaborations. The app works through a smart algorithm that combines geographic proximity, self-selected interests, and work experience to produce a daily, personalized selection of 10 to 15 people to meet. Users swipe through their daily batches of profiles anonymously and receive a match notification when interest to connect is mutual. The next step is to message within the app and set a time to meet for sharing ideas, inspiration, and opportunities.

The company revealed it will use the funds to hire 15 employees for its Paris and New York offices in the next 12 months and to launch Shapr Premium, a paid subscription model.