An Investor’s Story – Interview with Alex Gelman, CEO of mTAB

There is a steady stream of investment occurring in the market research space, although it is largely focused on a few key plays:

1. Analytics Technology
2. Data Collection Software
3. Niche Data Sources
4. Specialty Consulting

Of course, deals with more traditional research companies with strong financial fundamentals still occur regularly, mostly via M&A transactions.

It’s rare for the larger research audience to hear from investors what attracts them to this space, so I thought it would be a good thing to change that, which brings me to today’s interview.

Late last year, Alex Gelman of Poplar Partners was an investor looking for an acquisition target. When he found mTAB, it fit his brief perfectly (and by the way, fit into a few of the criteria I outlined above). In this interview we explore how an investor from outside the market research space acquired an MR company, why he chose mTAB, and where he sees the market going in the future.

The interview lasts about 15 minutes and is well worth the time to listen to for great insight into the investment process, mTAB as a company, and educated views on how client needs regarding data management and analysis are changing.