A DATA analytics firm established by a former boss of music chain Fopp has gone into administration.
Big Data for Humans, founded by Peter Ellen, provided data science services for retailers and travel companies, with clients including Tesco, 7-Eleven, Selfridges and Co, Carter and AirAsia.
Administrators Eileen Blackburn and Brian Milne at accountancy firm French Duncan said the firm, which Mr Ellen founded with Steven Rose in 2014, had faced a range of financial problems, including cash flow difficulty caused by the late payment of an invoice by a “significant client”.
Ms Blackburn also cited the “economic slowdown and uncertainty due to the economy; a company structure that caused problems in accepting new investment; and ill health with one of the directors who had to withdraw from the business for a significant time.”
She added: “The result was that the company fell behind with key bills as they arose, and its creditors lost patience. This was a strong company performing well among an excellent array of clients with a highly regarded range of products which we expect will be acquired by another company.”
The administrators are marketing the assets of the Edinburgh-based company, which has four employees, including its cloud-based marketing software. It is also marketing two European trade marks for Big Data for Humans and Bd4H, copyright of web content, domain names and social media assets.
Ms Blackburn added: “All insolvency is unfortunate but, in this case, there really were extenuating circumstances which led to the administration of this company. As these circumstances were unique to the company, I would expect a reasonably quick sale of its assets and a return for its creditors.”
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