WebHancer

About WebHancer

Founded in 1999, WebHancer was a Canadian internet intelligence company that specialized in providing web analytics and customer intelligence solutions for online enterprises. The company, based in Ottawa, developed services to produce data and reports on both internal site and competitor customer activities. WebHancer's core technology involved a 'global desktop panel,' consisting of millions of PCs with its client software installed. This software would run in the background, recording user browser behavior and tracking website performance to provide analytical insights. The tool operated as a Browser Helper Object (BHO) that integrated with Internet Explorer and as a Winsock layered service provider (LSP), collecting data on web-browsing activity and sending it to WebHancer's servers.

The company's business model focused on offering these performance analysis services to corporate clients, enabling them to make data-driven decisions to enhance user experience and optimize their online presence. One of its key clients was Microsoft, which utilized WebHancer's services to gauge its own online performance against that of its competitors. The company's offerings included web analytics, user behavior tracking, and conversion optimization tools. Over its lifetime, WebHancer secured $13.5M in funding from investors including Capital Alliance Ventures, Jefferson Partners, and McLean Watson Capital.

In May 2006, Microsoft announced its acquisition of WebHancer for a reported sum of up to $10 million, a move approved by the privately held company's shareholders. Following the acquisition, WebHancer became a subsidiary of Microsoft. The company is now considered deadpooled as its operations were absorbed into Microsoft.