Sterling

New York, United States Founded: 1975 • Age: 51 yrs Acquired By First Advantage
Cloud-based applicant tracking for background checks is facilitated.
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About Sterling

Sterling is a company based in New York (United States) founded in 1975 was acquired by First Advantage in February 2024. It operates as a Professional Services, and Managed Services. Sterling has raised $254 million across 5 funding rounds from investors including First Advantage and Calera Capital. The company has 2,978 employees as of April 07, 2024. Sterling has completed 4 acquisitions, including A Check Global, EBI Inc. and Socratessa. Sterling offers products and services including Criminal Background Checks, Digital Identity, Global Screening, and Drug & Occupational Health. Sterling operates in a competitive market with competitors including HireRight, First Advantage, TalentWise, Orange Tree Employment Screening and i Back Tune, among others.

  • Headquarter New York, United States
  • Employees 2978 as on 07 Apr, 2024
  • Stage Public
  • Sectors
    Business Services
  • Email
    ***********
  • Phone
    *********
  • Website
    *********
  • Social
    *********
  • Legal Name First Advantage
  • Date of Incorporation 15 Jun, 2006
  • Jurisdiction Thane, Maharashtra, India
Operational Areas
Business Services → Workforce & Human Resource Solutions
Key Metrics
  • Annual Revenue
    $46.02 M (USD)
    25.99
    as on Mar 31, 2023
  • Net Profit
    $7.23 M (USD)
    100.12
    as on Mar 31, 2023
  • EBITDA
    $9 M (USD)
    79.34
    as on Mar 31, 2023
  • Total Equity Funding
    $254 M (USD)

    in 5 rounds

  • Latest Funding Round
    $146.21 M (USD), Series D

    Dec 06, 2019

  • Investors
  • Employee Count
    2978

    as on Apr 07, 2024

  • Investments & Acquisitions
  • Acquired by
    First Advantage

    & 1 more

    (Feb 29, 2024)

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Products & Services of Sterling

Sterling offers a comprehensive portfolio of products and services, including Criminal Background Checks, Digital Identity, Global Screening, and Drug & Occupational Health. The company's diverse product and service offerings are designed to meet the evolving needs of its customers, address market demands, and provide comprehensive solutions that drive value creation and customer satisfaction across various segments and use cases.

Primary

Criminal records are checked for informed hiring decisions.

Identity fraud is prevented through accurate data validation.

Screening programs are scaled globally for hiring needs.

Health and drug screenings are conducted for safety.

Funding Insights of Sterling

Sterling has successfully raised a total of $254M across 5 strategic funding rounds. The most recent funding activity was a Series D round of $146.21 million completed in December 2019. This substantial capital infusion reflects strong investor confidence in the company's business model, growth potential, and market opportunities. The funding enables strategic expansion, product development, market penetration, and operational scaling to drive long-term value creation and competitive advantage.

  • Total Funding
  • Total Rounds 5
  • Last Round Series D — $146.2M
  • First Round

    (11 Jun 2013)

  • Investors Count
Date Amount Transaction Name Valuation Lead Investors Investors
Dec, 2019 Amount Series D - Sterling Valuation

investors

Dec, 2017 Amount Series C - Sterling Valuation

investors

Mar, 2016 Amount Series B - Sterling Valuation

investors

Date Amount Transaction Name Valuation Lead Investors Investors
Jul, 2021 Amount Post-IPO - Grab Valuation

investors

Feb, 2021 Amount Post-IPO - Grab Valuation

investors

Jan, 2021 Amount Post-IPO - Grab Valuation

investors

Feb, 2021 Amount Post-IPO - Grab Valuation

investors

Investors in Sterling

Sterling has secured backing from 2 investors, including institutional and venture fund investors. Prominent investors backing the company include First Advantage and Calera Capital. This diverse investor base provides strategic capital, industry expertise, and valuable network connections that support the company's growth initiatives, market expansion, and long-term value creation.

All
Venture Fund
Institutional
Investor Description Founded Year Domain Location
PE firm investing in the US
Founded Year Domain Location
Background checks and screening services are provided for businesses.
Founded Year Domain Location
Investor Description Founded Year Domain Location
Single family office of Amitabh Bachchan, founder of Amitabh Bachchan Corporation or AB CORP
Founded Year Domain Location
Startup ecosystems are ignited through strategic investments by Signite Partners.
Founded Year Domain Location
Venture capital is directed toward companies in multiple sectors.
Founded Year Domain Location
Venture capital is invested in cybersecurity, fintech, and AI startups.
Founded Year Domain Location

Investments & Acquisitions by Sterling

Sterling has strategically engaged in corporate development activities, having acquired 4 companies. Notable acquisitions include A Check Global, EBI Inc. and Socratessa. These strategic investments and acquisitions demonstrate the company's commitment to growth through portfolio expansion, market consolidation, technology integration, and strategic partnerships that enhance competitive positioning and drive long-term value creation.

Investments
Company Name Description Domain Location Founded Year Amount
Bionic investment advisor platform
2016
Fine Asian gourmet food is offered by an internet-first restaurant.
2016
Physical e-commerce kiosks are deployed for rural purchases in Indonesia.
2014
Fine Asian gourmet food is offered by an internet-first restaurant.
2016
Acquisitions
Company Name Description Domain Location Founded Year Amount
Male reproductive health services are provided through andrology clinics.
2018
Criminal litigation and background checks are provided by Socrates.
1999
Background screening services are provided to businesses and organizations.
1994
Company Name Description Domain Location Founded Year Amount
OVO is recognized as a smart digital payment application.
2017
Bionic investment advisor platform
2016
Physical e-commerce kiosks are deployed for rural purchases in Indonesia.
2014
Physical e-commerce kiosks are deployed for rural purchases in Indonesia.
2014

Financial Statements - Sterling

Tata Steel revenue growth over time
Tata Steel profit and loss trends over time
Date Amount Transaction Name Valuation Lead Investors Investors
Jul, 2021 Amount Post-IPO - Grab Valuation

investors

Feb, 2021 Amount Post-IPO - Grab Valuation

investors

Jan, 2021 Amount Post-IPO - Grab Valuation

investors

Feb, 2021 Amount Post-IPO - Grab Valuation

investors

Sterling Comparisons

Employees
+
Add Comparison
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Competitors of Sterling

Sterling operates in a dynamic and competitive business environment, facing competition from various established players and emerging companies in the market. The competitive landscape includes prominent companies such as HireRight, First Advantage, TalentWise, Orange Tree Employment Screening and i Back Tune, among others. This competitive environment drives innovation, market differentiation, and strategic positioning as companies strive to capture market share and deliver value to their customers. Understanding the competitive dynamics is crucial for assessing market positioning, identifying growth opportunities, and navigating the challenges inherent in a competitive marketplace.

Company Name Domain Founded year HQ Location Description
domain founded_year HQ Location
Background screening services are provided to employers worldwide.
domain founded_year HQ Location
Background checks and screening services are provided for businesses.
domain founded_year HQ Location
Candidates are screened and onboarded via SaaS platform for enterprises.
domain founded_year HQ Location
Background screening services are provided to HR companies.
domain founded_year HQ Location
HR services are delivered to clients in Hangzhou, China.
Company Name Domain Founded year HQ Location Description
domain founded_year HQ Location
Multiple services are booked via an app-based platform.
domain founded_year HQ Location
On-demand services are booked through an app-based platform.
domain founded_year HQ Location
App based platform offering on demand delivery and ride-hailing services
domain founded_year HQ Location
Operates an on-demand hyperlocal delivery app for food and groceries.

Latest news on Sterling

Frequently Asked Questions about Sterling

When was Sterling founded?

Sterling was founded in 1975 and raised its 1st funding round 38 years after it was founded.

Where is Sterling located?

Sterling is headquartered in New York, United States. It is registered at New York, New York, United States.

Who is the current CEO of Sterling?

Billy Greenblatt is the current CEO of Sterling.

Is Sterling a funded company?

Sterling is a funded company, having raised a total of $254M across 5 funding rounds to date. The company's 1st funding round was a Series B of $37.54K, raised on Jun 11, 2013.

How many employees does Sterling have?

As of Apr 07, 2024, the latest employee count at Sterling is 2,978.

What is the annual revenue of Sterling?

Annual revenue of Sterling is $46.02M as on Mar 31, 2023.

What does Sterling do?

Comprehensive background screening and identity verification services are offered by Sterling, now part of First Advantage. Solutions are tailored for pre-hire and post-hire needs, including criminal record checks, digital identity protection, and global screening programs. Services are customized across various industries such as healthcare, financial services, and technology. Advanced technology and integrations are utilized to ensure fast turnaround times and enhanced candidate experiences. Support is extended to over 200 countries and territories with a focus on trust and authenticity in hiring processes.

Who are the top competitors of Sterling?

Sterling's top competitors include HireRight, First Advantage and Cisive.

What products or services does Sterling offer?

Sterling offers Criminal Background Checks, Digital Identity, Global Screening, and Drug & Occupational Health.

How many acquisitions has Sterling made?

Sterling has made 4 acquisitions, including A Check Global, EBI Inc., and Socratessa.

Who are Sterling's investors?

Sterling has 2 investors. Key investors include First Advantage, and Calera Capital.

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