New Zealand procurement startup Cotiss has raised $2.2 million in pre-Seed funding.

The spherical led by Blackbird Ventures, supported by Icehouse Ventures, AfterWork Ventures, Section One, and Co-Ventures.

Cotiss is trying to assist small and medium-sized procurement groups with easy, intuitive software program that improves effectivity and saves cash for organisations in excessive regulation and compliance industries reminiscent of authorities, banking, major industries and healthcare. It automates repetitive duties, improves traceability, and supplies guardrails that forestall non-compliance. 

The startup was based in November 2020 by Harry Wilde, Matt Whiting, and Matt O’Halloran and has primarily bootstrapped for its first two years. 

Wilde mentioned they’ll use the funding to construct out the engineering group led by John Gregoriadis, a former Xero head of engineering. They’re additionally trying to increase in Australian and launch in North America later this yr. 

“We’re thrilled to have the assist of such a robust group of traders as we proceed to construct the Cotiss platform,” he mentioned.

“This funding will allow us to increase our group and speed up our efforts to simplify and streamline procurement processes for organisations which are usually underserved, in the end resulting in better effectivity and price financial savings.” 

Blackbird Ventures investor James Palmer mentioned Cotiss redefines procurement for small to medium groups.

“Procurement departments, hindered by outdated instruments and processes, are laborious pressed to handle what are extremely collaborative and compliance pushed processe,” he mentioned

Some who understands the issue first hand is Sarah Blackie head of procurement consultancy Esby and Co,.

“Smaller organisations and their procurement groups have been neglected and underserved for years in terms of fit-for-purpose sourcing software program. The place software program is absent, there’s typically an excessive amount of paperwork, expensive inefficiencies and frustration,” she mentioned.

“In the end, these inefficiencies forestall leaders from specializing in essential issues reminiscent of considering strategically, sourcing regionally and supporting our provider ecosystem to behave sustainably. That’s why it’s so nice to have Cotiss serving to organisations to enhance the procurement expertise for all.”