Channel IQ

Channel IQ, established in 2009 by founder and CEO Wes Shepherd, provides actionable, real-time online pricing and channel intelligence for manufacturers and brands. The company's platform addresses the complexities of modern eCommerce by helping brands understand and manage how their products are being sold and priced across a vast network of online retailers. Shepherd's background in technology and his experience as CEO of the data services company Lirus, which was later acquired by Corbis, informed the creation of Channel IQ to tackle pricing visibility challenges. Initially launched as Price Forecaster, the company rebranded to Channel IQ in 2010 to better reflect its comprehensive channel management solutions.

The core of Channel IQ's offering is a cloud-based software platform that monitors online channels to enforce Minimum Advertised Price (MAP) policies, combat grey market selling, and provide a clear view of the competitive landscape. This service is crucial for brands looking to maintain price integrity, protect their brand reputation, and ensure a level playing field for their authorized retail partners. By delivering detailed analytics and automated alerts, the platform enables manufacturers to identify and address policy violations swiftly. The business model is primarily subscription-based (SaaS), generating revenue by charging clients for access to its data monitoring and analytics tools. In 2012, the company secured a significant $5.3 million Series A funding round led by Drive Capital, a milestone that fueled its growth and product development. In a strategic move to broaden its market presence, Channel IQ was acquired by Numerator, a market intelligence firm, in 2021, integrating its channel monitoring capabilities into a larger suite of market analytics services.

Keywords: channel intelligence, price monitoring, MAP enforcement, brand protection, eCommerce analytics, retail intelligence, pricing analytics, grey market, SaaS, competitor analysis