Customer messaging platform provider Podium announced that it had closed on a $125 million Series C round of funding led by YC Continuity.

Notable investors in the financing round included high-profile investors who also participated in the financing. This list includes Sapphire Ventures, Alkeon Capital, Recruit Co. Ltd., IVP, Accel, Summit Partners, and GV.

With this capital raise, Podium has now raised $217.6 million since its inception in 2014.

Podium Ready to Deploy Cash

The company carries a valuation of about $1.5 billion, according to TechCrunch.

Podium’s platform was initially meant to help local businesses get timely online reviews. It has since expanded, and this month Podium is introducing a new basic platform that allows businesses to interact with their customers and process contactless payments entirely via messaging. The product is invitation-only at first. However, availability will expand to all local business owners in the United States.

The new platform will allow local business owners to make an offer to customers and collect the cash all via instant messaging.  The app also enables business owners to communicate directly with customers as well. This is going to of enormous assistance to early users in a time when most Americans are under self-quarantine in their homes.

Podium is based in Lehi, Utah.

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