Znode, a Columbus-based leader in multi-store ecommerce, has been acquired by the Yell Group plc.
Yell Group, based in Reading, UK, announced in a July 11 news release that Znode will continue its Ohio operations and serve "as the development base for Yell's ecommerce capabilities."
Founder Vish Vishwanathan will serve as executive VP and general manager of Yell Connect while co-founder David Chu will serve as senior VP of technology.
According to TechColumbus, the central Ohio technology business incubator, Znode was founded in 2007 and funded by TechColumbus, the co-Investment Fund, Ohio TechAngel Fund II and North Coast Angel Fund II.
Mike Pocock, Yell Group's CEO, said in the release that "The Znode team and their innovative technology provide Yell with a platform for our digital business and enable us to provide ecommerce solutions to small businesses, connecting them more efficiently with their local consumers. Their talented workforce and technological capabilities are a great addition to Yell as we move forward into new digital marketplace opportunities."
The release notes that Znode's platform enables businesses to "expand their online footprint using innovative multi-store and online franchising strategies."
Yell Group is a provider of print and digital services for consumers and small- to medium-size businesses within the local eMarketplace in the UK, US, Spain and some countries in Latin America.
Sources: TechColumbus, Yell Group