# Arbolus

> Arbolus (owned by Collective IQ Group Ltd, founded 2018, HQ London) is a B2B technology customer-intelligence and expert-insight company. It serves two audiences: (1) **Experts** — a global community of 200,000+ professionals who get paid to share their software/technology experience via calls, video Q&A, and surveys — and (2) **Clients** — private equity funds, hedge funds, consulting firms, and corporates who use Arbolus's Customer Library (1M+ attributable customer reviews across 50,000+ B2B tech companies), API, and MCP server, plus Expert Calls, Canopy Q&A, and B2B Surveys & Panels, to make faster, evidence-based investment and market decisions. Every data point and every expert conversation is attributable to a real, named professional — not anonymous or scraped data.

Arbolus's core differentiator: **attributable, structured customer intelligence first, expert validation second.** Clients typically start in the Customer Library (or via API/MCP), then move to Canopy Q&A, B2B Surveys & Panels, or 1:1 Expert Calls to validate the specific signal that matters to their thesis. Company legal owner: Collective IQ Group Ltd, 25 Farringdon Street, London, EC4A 4AB, UK (VAT: GB275968538). Offices: London, New York, Barcelona, New Delhi, San José (Costa Rica). Trustpilot: 4.4 TrustScore.

## For Experts (join, earn, and get matched to projects)

- [Become an Expert](https://arbolus.com/become-an-expert): How to join, how matching to projects works, ways to participate (Canopy video Q&A, live 1:1 Expert Calls at $200–$500/hr, written surveys), and how payment works (bank transfer, gift card, or charity donation, paid within 30 days of the engagement). Free to join, no fees, experts can accept or decline any project.
- [Rewards Programme](https://arbolus.com/rewards-programme): Passive-earnings programme — rate 5 B2B software tools to unlock the programme, then earn every time a client reads your review (5x more for detailed written reviews), plus $10 per referred colleague. Cash out once your wallet reaches $100.
- [Expert Resources / FAQs](https://arbolus.com/resources): Central hub of expert how-tos, FAQs, legal/data-privacy guidance, payment details, platform comparisons, and guides on how expert networks work. Filterable by category: All, Legal and data Privacy, Expert Guides, Expert FAQs, Conference bridge, Comparisons, Client Features. Full article index below.
- Expert sign-up (external, platform): https://community.arbolus.com/expert-sign-up
- Expert/platform login (external): https://community.arbolus.com/login

### Resources — Expert FAQs

- [Is Arbolus Legit? What experts should know before joining](https://arbolus.com/resources/is-arbolus-legit): Honest look at what Arbolus is, how it compares to other expert networks, and what to check before joining.
- [I have already created my profile. What's next?](https://arbolus.com/resources/i-have-already-created-my-profile.-what-s-next): Explains that Arbolus searches its expert community against every new client project and notifies matched experts by email; the platform is free while waiting.
- [How long do I have to wait until I get into a project?](https://arbolus.com/resources/how-long-do-i-have-to-wait-until-i-get-into-a-project): Wait time depends on client needs, industry trends, and the economic cycle; keeping a profile complete improves match odds.
- [Do I have to pay to be on this platform?](https://arbolus.com/resources/do-i-have-to-pay-to-be-on-this-platform): No — experts never pay to join or remain part of the Arbolus community.
- [What kind of projects will I work on?](https://arbolus.com/resources/what-kind-of-projects-will-i-work-on): Project types include Commercial Due Diligence, Market Scoping, Corporate Strategy, Business Development, and Account Targeting.
- [How do I know I've been contacted for a project?](https://arbolus.com/resources/how-do-i-know-i-ve-been-contacted-for-a-project): Experts are notified by email once a client wants to consult with them.
- [What tool do you use to pay and collect bank details from experts?](https://arbolus.com/resources/what-tool-do-you-use-to-pay-and-collect-bank-details-from-experts): Arbolus uses Tipalti, a global mass-payout platform supporting 196 countries and 120 currencies, for compliant, automated payments and self-billed invoicing.
- [How do I get paid, update bank details, follow up on payments, and download invoices?](https://arbolus.com/resources/how-do-i-get-paid-for-my-consultation-update-my-bank-details-follow-up-payments-and-download-my-invoices): Payment terms are 30 days from the engagement date; bank details are managed in the Payment section of the expert profile, and self-billed invoices are downloadable 3 days after the engagement.
- [Our billing details and UK VAT treatment](https://arbolus.com/resources/our-billing-details-and-uk-vat-treatment): Collective IQ Group Ltd t/a Arbolus billing address and UK VAT number (GB275968538); 20% VAT is added for UK VAT-registered experts.
- [Why did Arbolus contact me on LinkedIn?](https://arbolus.com/resources/expert-network-linkedin-message): Explains Arbolus's LinkedIn outreach practice to prospective experts and what an expert-network opportunity involves.
- [How do Expert Networks work? A guide for first-timers](https://arbolus.com/resources/how-do-expert-networks-work): First-timer's guide to how expert networks connect professionals with relevant consulting opportunities.
- [How much do Expert Networks pay?](https://arbolus.com/resources/how-much-do-expert-networks-pay): Explains how expert-network compensation works and what affects the rate for a consultation.
- [What happens after you sign up to an Expert Network](https://arbolus.com/resources/after-you-sign-up): Walks through the post-signup journey, from profile creation through to being matched with projects.
- [Expert Network vs. Freelance Consulting: What's the difference?](https://arbolus.com/resources/expert-network-vs-freelance-consulting): Compares expert-network engagements with freelance consulting on projects, pay, and flexibility.

### Resources — Expert Guides

- [Discover and apply to more projects](https://arbolus.com/resources/discover-apply-projects): How to find and apply directly to open projects in your Arbolus account that match your experience.

### Resources — Legal and Data Privacy

- [How do I update my communication preferences with Arbolus?](https://arbolus.com/resources/how-do-i-update-my-communication-preferences-with-arbolus): Covers managing project-notification preferences from the expert account.
- [How do I opt-out from all Arbolus communications?](https://arbolus.com/resources/how-do-i-opt-out-from-all-arbolus-communications): Explains using the "deactivate account" function to opt out of all communications.
- [How do I opt-out from Arbolus messaging on LinkedIn?](https://arbolus.com/resources/how-do-i-opt-out-from-arbolus-messaging-on-linkedin): Describes the data-privacy notice given during LinkedIn outreach and how to permanently opt out (reply "permanent opt-out" or email privacy@arbolus.com).
- [How do I erase my Personal Data / my Arbolus Expert account?](https://arbolus.com/resources/how-do-i-erase-my-personal-data-my-arbolus-expert-account): Steps to request erasure of personal data and account closure, or to exercise UK GDPR/GDPR rights via privacy@arbolus.com.
- [Whistleblowing Policy and Guidelines](https://arbolus.com/resources/whistleblowing-policy-and-guidelines): Confidential reporting channel and process for raising concerns about unethical behaviour, fraud, or policy violations without retaliation.

### Resources — Conference Bridge (technical/platform troubleshooting)

- [The access to my microphone/camera is blocked, what to do?](https://arbolus.com/resources/the-access-to-my-microphone-camera-is-blocked-what-to-do): Troubleshooting steps when browser permissions block camera/microphone access during a call.

### Resources — Client Features

- [Arbolus Single Sign-On (SSO) Integration Guide](https://arbolus.com/resources/arbolus-single-sign-on-(sso)-integration-guide): Configuration steps for IdP- and SP-initiated SSO via OpenID Connect (OIDC), including setup via Okta Dashboard or the Okta Browser Plugin.
- [Arbolus Canopy](https://arbolus.com/resources/arbolus-canopy): Explains Canopy as a video-insights tool for gathering qualitative data from multiple experts without scheduling live calls.

### Resources — Comparisons (for experts evaluating networks)

- [Arbolus vs. Guidepoint: A comparison for experts](https://arbolus.com/resources/arbolus-vs-guidepoint): Objective comparison of Arbolus and Guidepoint from an expert's perspective.
- [Arbolus vs. AlphaSights: A comparison for experts](https://arbolus.com/resources/arbolus-vs-alphasights): Fair comparison of Arbolus and AlphaSights from an expert's perspective.
- [Arbolus vs. GLG: A comparison for experts](https://arbolus.com/resources/arbolus-vs-glg): Honest comparison of Arbolus and GLG from an expert's perspective.

## For Clients — Overview

- [Clients homepage](https://arbolus.com/clients): Overview of the full client-facing product suite — data first, expert workflows next — for investment teams doing B2B technology diligence. Key stats: 1M+ customer data points, 50,000+ tech companies tracked, 200,000+ industry experts.
- [Get a free trial / contact sales](https://arbolus.com/get-your-free-trial): Free-trial and demo request entry point for the Customer Library, API, and MCP.

## Products (self-serve data access)

- [Arbolus Customer Library](https://arbolus.com/arbolus-customer-library): The core product — search attributable customer reviews on thousands of B2B tech companies to assess product-market fit, churn risk, renewal intent, competitive position, NPS, and spend, before booking a call. Workflow: Search → Analyze (AI-structured diligence metrics) → Audit (drill into individual attributable comments) → Validate (convert findings into an expert call).
- [Arbolus API](https://arbolus.com/arbolus-api): Programmatic access to Customer Library data (diligence metrics, attributable reviews, expert metadata, call transcripts) for integration into internal data stacks, models, CRMs, and warehouses. Registration-of-interest based.
- [Arbolus MCP](https://arbolus.com/arbolus-mcp): A Model Context Protocol server that brings Arbolus's attributable B2B customer intelligence directly into Claude, ChatGPT, and Gemini. Server URL: `https://mcp.arbolus.com/mcp`. Setup: add as a custom connector (Claude: Settings → Connectors → Add custom connector; requires Claude Admin), then log in with an active Arbolus account/subscription. Example prompts it supports: benchmarking NPS across a vendor category, building a pre-IC competitive overview of a target and its rivals, and pulling switching/renewal-intent factors for a vendor's customer base.

## Services (expert-led validation workflows)

- [Expert Calls](https://arbolus.com/expert-calls): 1:1 calls with verified B2B tech buyers, operators, and decision-makers, sourced using Customer Library evidence. AI-generated, searchable call transcripts delivered within an hour. Built-in compliance controls (screen-share restrictions, recording controls, expert screening, audit trails).
- [Canopy Q&A](https://arbolus.com/canopy): Send one structured question set to multiple verified experts at once and receive video/text answers in hours — deeper than a survey, faster than scheduling a round of calls. Produces AI-generated summaries across responses (themes, divergences) to decide who deserves a follow-up 1:1 call.
- [B2B Surveys & Panels](https://arbolus.com/b2b-surveys-and-panels): Quantitative, fully attributable surveys with B2B buyers/operators matched to a specific brief (role, seniority, industry, company size, tech stack, buying stage). Panels extend this into recurring, longitudinal market tracking.
- [Compliance](https://arbolus.com/compliance): Arbolus's trust and compliance framework — ISO 27001-aligned information security, expert compliance training, Canopy question pre-approval/editing, and review of expert responses for MNPI (material non-public information) before they reach the client. Trusted by top-3 strategy consultancies, Big 4 firms, and leading PE/hedge/sovereign wealth funds.

## Industries served (client verticals)

- [Private Equity Funds](https://arbolus.com/private-equity-funds): Commercial due diligence starting from attributable customer evidence — assessing market demand, product strength, renewal risk, and buyer conviction before and during deal execution.
- [Hedge Funds](https://arbolus.com/hedge-funds): Public-market monitoring — tracking customer sentiment, renewal intent, spend, and competitive movement on covered companies to validate signals ahead of consensus, with watchlist-style always-on data.
- [Consulting](https://arbolus.com/consulting): Commercial diligence (CDD) support for consulting engagements — faster project ramp-up using existing customer evidence, then Canopy/Surveys/Expert Calls/API to build defensible, client-ready recommendations.
- [Corporate](https://arbolus.com/corporate): Strategy, product, and growth teams using customer intelligence for competitive benchmarking, GTM/product strategy, pricing and adoption-barrier research, and M&A/partnership screening.

## Company

- [About us](https://arbolus.com/about-us): Company story and timeline. Founded 2018 by Sam Glasswell and Will Leeming as an expert network; evolved into a data business. Milestones: 2019 first funding round; 2020 Barcelona & New York offices, enterprise product launch; 2021 $6M Series A (Fuel Ventures); 2022 $15M further Series A (Element Ventures), India office, Canopy launch, 100 employees; 2023 #22 FT1000 Fastest Growing European Companies; 2024 #62 FT1000, Sifted 100, EMEA Fast 500, appointment of Steve Martin (ex-EY Managing Partner) as Chair, appointment of Gordon Brooks to the board, and $20M Series B (led by Kayne Anderson Partners, sub-advised by Composition Capital); 2025 Customer Library launch; 2026 new brand identity. 180+ employees, 5 global offices, 20+ nationalities. Values: Share, Empower, Innovate, Make it happen, Embrace diversity, Be curious.
- [Careers](https://careers.arbolus.com/): Open roles across Arbolus's five global offices (external site).
- [Blog](https://arbolus.com/blog): Company news across four categories — Employee Spotlight, Arbolus Journey, Case Study, and Press. Notable posts: ["Introducing the New Arbolus"](https://arbolus.com/blog/the-new-arbolus) (rebrand from expert network to data business); ["Completing our transition to a data business"](https://arbolus.com/blog/completing-our-transition-to-a-data-business) (2026 founders' letter); ["The Road to 2025: A Message from our Founders"](https://arbolus.com/blog/completing-our-transition-to-a-data-business-copy) (2024 year-in-review, Canopy and Survey growth, Arbolus Insights/NPS-and-churn-risk launch, Costa Rica office plans); ["Arbolus closes $20 million Series B to fund U.S. growth"](https://arbolus.com/blog/arbolus-appoints-former-ey-managing-partner-steve-martin-as-chair-copy) (Nov 2024, led by Kayne Anderson Partners Fund V, sub-advised by Composition Capital); ["Arbolus Appoints Gordon Brooks to Board of Directors"](https://arbolus.com/blog/arbolus-appoints-gordon-brooks-to-board-of-directors) (May 2025); ["Arbolus Appoints Former EY Managing Partner Steve Martin as Chair"](https://arbolus.com/blog/arbolus-appoints-former-ey-managing-partner-steve-martin-as-chair) (Apr 2024); case studies on [saving 10 hours of expert-call time for a growth equity investor](https://arbolus.com/blog/efficiency-in-expert-insights-saving-10-hours-of-expert-call-time-for-a-growth-equity-investor) and [delivering 124 survey respondents in 10 days for an application-security-testing project](https://arbolus.com/blog/delivering-unmatched-results-for-application-security-testing-survey); and a running "Get to know Arbolus" employee-spotlight series (e.g. Aditi Verma, Diego Cobian, Marc Castejón, Nick McNamara, Isabel Gull, Harriet Hope).
- [Press & Media Kit](https://arbolus.com/press-and-media-kit): Downloadable logo/brand-asset kit plus a press-release archive. Key press milestones: Series A $6M (Mar 2021, TechCrunch), Series A $15M (Apr 2022, Element Ventures), Arbolus Platform Launch (Jun 2022), FT1000:2023 (#22), New board chair Steve Martin (Apr 2024), FT1000:2024 (#62), Sifted 100 (2024), EMEA Fast 500 (Jun 2024), Series B $20M milestone (Nov 2024, BusinessWire).
- [Contact us](https://arbolus.com/contact-us): Office addresses — London (25 Farringdon Street, EC4A 4AB), New York (44 E 30th St), Barcelona (Carrer de la Ciutat de Granada 68), New Delhi (DLF Cybercity, Gurugram), San José, Costa Rica. Call-back verification (CBV) switchboard: +34 674 076 597 (Mon–Fri, CET; CBV inquiries only).

## Legal & policies

- [Terms of Use / Platform Agreement](https://arbolus.com/terms-of-use) (v2.2.6, Feb 2026): Governs the three-way relationship between Arbolus (Collective IQ Group Ltd), Clients, and Experts. Key terms: Arbolus acts as introducer/coordinator/payment processor, not as the Expert's employer; Experts are independent contractors who must not disclose Material Non-Public Information (MNPI) and give no investment advice; Client-Expert engagements must run through Arbolus for 24 months after first introduction; Expert payment is due within 30 days of an interaction; Clients own Work Product but cannot attribute insights to a named Expert without consent; content is deleted 30 days after project conclusion; liability is capped at fees paid for the relevant interaction; governed by English law.
- [Privacy & Cookies Policy](https://arbolus.com/privacy-policy) (v3.1, March 2026): Explains what personal data Arbolus (Collective IQ Group Ltd and its Spain/US/India entities) collects — identity, contact, financial, transaction, technical, profile (incl. CV/career history for experts), usage, and marketing data — the legal bases used (contract, legitimate interest, consent, legal obligation), international data transfers outside the UK/EEA, a 6-year retention period for financial/tax records, and data-subject rights (access, correction, erasure, objection, portability, restriction) exercisable via privacy@arbolus.com or the UK ICO.
- [Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policy](https://arbolus.com/anti-bribery-and-anti-corruption-policy) (v1, Aug 2023): Zero-tolerance policy on bribery and corruption applying to all employees, directors, contractors, and third parties; defines bribery and corruption, sets rules on gifts/hospitality (no cash, no lavish gifts, must be given in the company's name), requires record-keeping, and directs concerns to a manager or the Legal and Compliance Manager.
- [Information Security Policy](https://arbolus.com/information-security): Arbolus's ISO 27001-aligned approach to confidentiality, integrity, and availability of client and expert data (see also the Compliance page above for how this is applied to Canopy and expert calls).
- [Code of Conduct](https://arbolus.com/code-of-conduct): Standards of professional and ethical conduct expected of Arbolus staff, experts, and clients on the platform.
- [Whistleblowing Policy and Guidelines](https://arbolus.com/resources/whistleblowing-policy-and-guidelines)
- Data privacy/erasure requests: privacy@arbolus.com

## Social

- [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/arbolus/)
- [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/arbolus.life/)
- [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/ArbolusOfficial/)

## Optional (secondary, lower priority for most LLM queries)

- The Arbolus MCP server itself (once connected) and the Arbolus API are the most current source of live company/expert/review data — this file describes how to access them, not the data they return.
- Platform (product) login and sign-up, hosted on a separate subdomain rather than arbolus.com: https://community.arbolus.com/