Avention

Avention, now part of Dun & Bradstreet, was acquired to enhance the latter's business intelligence and data analytics capabilities.

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Provides business intelligence and data analytics tools for sales, marketing, and risk management.

Avention, now part of Dun & Bradstreet, was acquired to enhance the latter's business intelligence and data analytics capabilities. Originally founded as a standalone provider of B2B data and sales intelligence tools, Avention specialized in delivering actionable business insights through its proprietary data aggregation and analytics platforms. The acquisition by Dun & Bradstreet in 2017 integrated Avention's technology into a broader suite of commercial data products, focusing on risk management, sales prospecting, and market analysis.

Today, Avention's solutions are marketed under the Dun & Bradstreet umbrella, targeting enterprises that require comprehensive business data to drive decision-making. The integration has allowed Dun & Bradstreet to expand its offerings in AI-driven workflows, though specific financials or headcount for Avention post-acquisition are not publicly disclosed. The platform's historical focus on real-time business data and predictive analytics remains a key differentiator within Dun & Bradstreet's portfolio.

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Who buys this

  • Enterprise sales teams needing prospecting tools
  • Marketing departments analyzing market trends
  • Risk management teams assessing vendor and supplier reliability
  • Financial institutions evaluating business credit risk
  • Public sector agencies monitoring compliance and fraud

Strengths and what to watch

Strengths

  • Integration with Dun & Bradstreet's extensive business data network
  • Real-time data aggregation and predictive analytics capabilities
  • Strong focus on AI-driven workflows for business intelligence

Watch for

  • Potential overlap or redundancy with other Dun & Bradstreet products post-acquisition
  • Dependence on Dun & Bradstreet's broader data ecosystem, which may limit standalone innovation
  • Competition from specialized analytics startups offering more niche solutions

Key Information

Founded
1986
Headquarters
Concord, MA

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Avention and what does it do?

Avention provides business intelligence and data analytics tools for sales, marketing, and risk management. Acquired by Dun & Bradstreet in 2017, it specializes in actionable insights through data aggregation and predictive analytics. The platform helps enterprises make data-driven decisions across prospecting, market analysis, and risk assessment.

How does Avention integrate with Dun & Bradstreet?

Avention was acquired by Dun & Bradstreet to enhance its business intelligence capabilities. The integration brought Avention's real-time data and predictive analytics into Dun & Bradstreet's broader commercial data products. Today, Avention's solutions are marketed under the Dun & Bradstreet umbrella, focusing on AI-driven workflows for enterprise decision-making.

What types of companies use Avention's tools?

Avention serves enterprise sales teams for prospecting, marketing departments analyzing trends, and risk management teams assessing vendors. Financial institutions use it for credit risk evaluation, while public sector agencies apply it for compliance monitoring. Its solutions target organizations needing comprehensive business data for strategic decisions.

What makes Avention different from other business intelligence tools?

Avention differentiates through real-time data aggregation, predictive analytics, and integration with Dun & Bradstreet's extensive business data network. Its AI-driven workflows provide actionable insights for sales, marketing, and risk teams. The platform's historical focus on immediate, predictive business intelligence remains a key strength post-acquisition.

What are the limitations of using Avention?

Potential limitations include product overlap with other Dun & Bradstreet solutions and dependence on their broader ecosystem, which may limit standalone innovation. Some organizations might find specialized analytics startups offer more niche capabilities. The platform's enterprise focus may also make it less suitable for smaller businesses.

Does Avention still operate as a standalone product?

No, Avention operates fully under the Dun & Bradstreet umbrella since its 2017 acquisition. While its predictive analytics and real-time data capabilities remain distinct, the solutions are now integrated into Dun & Bradstreet's broader portfolio of business intelligence and risk management products for enterprise customers.

Sources

  1. www.avention.com — Avention's current positioning under Dun & Bradstreet
  2. www.dnb.com — Integration of Avention into Dun & Bradstreet's offerings
  3. www.dnb.com — Focus on AI-driven workflows post-integration
  4. flauditor.gov — Public sector use cases for Dun & Bradstreet's data solutions