Messaging Platform Podium Raises $210M in Funding
It will be used to help the company further its customer communications and payments technology.

The company provides a wide variety of communications tools for small businesses.
It helps generate customer reviews, facilitates webchat and communication via text message, enables payment through text so customers can pay exactly how they want, handles video chat invitations, offers a platform for employee communication, and aggregates all customer messaging into one inbox so no conversation or query is overlooked.
According to Podium, it serves more than 100,000 businesses and has reached one in three cell phone users in the United States on behalf of its brands.
Investors are feeling bullish on the company; Podium has raised $201 million in Series D funding, the company announced this week.
YC Continuity led Podium’s latest funding round, which also included investments from Durable Capital Partners, Arpex Capital, Accel, Album VC, IVP, Sapphire Ventures, Summit Partners, and Sorenson Capital.
The company’s total valuation now sits at $3 billion.
Founded in 2014, Podium is headquartered in Lehi, Utah, a suburb of Salt Lake City.
"We see this as a watershed moment for local businesses all over the world, especially as the world opens up again and local businesses are tasked with meeting the changing preferences of consumers who have welcomed digital-first interactions through the pandemic,” said Eric Rea, Podium’s co-founder and CEO.
"Our goal is to help communities get back on their feet and to help local businesses participate in a meaningful way in the digital evolution happening at the local level."
YC Continuity invests in companies that empower small businesses. Its portfolio includes Stripe, Coinbase, DoorDash, Instacart, Checkr, Brex, Zapier, Fivetran, Faire, GitLab, Gusto, and Segment.
"Podium brings world-class marketing and payments tools to the small and medium businesses that power our economy and employ the lion's share of workers,” said Ali Rowghani, YC Continuity’s managing director.
“These businesses have traditionally been overlooked by technology companies. Podium's products level the playing field for SMBs and help them compete in a changing world."
Podium’s latest funding round will help it further develop its payments, communications, and marketing technology in its goal to bring analog customer service to digital platforms.
For more information on Podium’s services, visit the company’s website.
The Latest

JSA’s Scott Guginsky provided a list of nine security measures jewelers should observe while locking up for the long weekend.

From Lau’s “Love of a Kind” series, the engagement ring was inspired by the moon and holds a different meaning depending on how it is worn.

The lab has adjusted the scale it uses for nacre grading.

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

Sponsored by GCAL by Sarine


David Walton will serve three years’ probation after an incident in a hotel bar led to the death of West Virginia jeweler David Ettinger.

The retailer also provided an update on how the tariffs situation in the U.S. is affecting its business.

Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA

The family-owned jeweler in Great Falls, Virginia, will be celebrating its golden jubilee with a year’s worth of events.

The nonprofit elected five judges who will decide the winners of its design competition.

This year’s edition includes articles on the favorite tools of notable designers, evaluating when to outsource production, and more.

The jeweler’s high jewelry collection features extraordinary gemstones, like a 241.06-carat emerald and the world’s fourth-largest spinel.

In a special column for the State of the Majors, Edahn Golan breaks down what the top-performing fine jewelry sellers are doing right.

The bolo tie necklace is inspired by “Queen Bey” and set with a nearly 15-carat black diamond.

The nonprofit focused on mining communities in East Africa has added three new members to its advisory council.

Current Diamond Council of America President and CEO Terry Chandler is set to retire in January 2026.

The company's Series A shares will continue to trade following a reverse stock split while its Series B shares will be delisted.

Communicating clearly with your staff is key to navigating turbulent times, writes columnist Peter Smith.

The “Inner Journey” collection debuted as the brand celebrated its 25th anniversary, with designs inspired by Morais’ journey.

Tanishq is expanding its presence in the United States with a new store in Santa Clara, California, which is its largest in the country.

Sales for Richemont’s four jewelry brands increased 8 percent, while watch sales picked up toward the end of the year.

Two scholarships are available, one for new and non-members and another for NAJA certified members.

The retailer’s new flagship is set to open in October at the Tuscan Village development in Salem, New Hampshire.

Sapphires, emeralds, and rubies are finding their place in a U.S. market captivated by the gemstones once referred to as “semi-precious.”

Plus, parent company Saks Global announces plans to cut ties with up to 600 vendors.

Peter Smith joined Michelle Graff to chat about the state of brick-and-mortar stores and share a few book and podcast recommendations.

The necklace features a candy-colored Australian white opal in 18-karat Fairmined gold, as the brand was named a Fairmined ambassador.