SLI Systems provided cloud-based search tools for online retailers under a "software as a service" (SaaS) model. It was a public company listed on the New Zealand stock exchange.

Quick Facts Company type, Industry ...

SLI Systems

SLI Systems logo, 2014-present
Company type	Acquired
Industry	Software eCommerce
Founded	2001
Headquarters	United States
Products	Learning Search Learning Navigation Site Champion Learning Recommendations
Website	SLI-Systems.com

Close

SLI is an acronym for Search, Learn and Improve.

SLI's main product, Learning Search,^[1] uses the behavior of its users to determine search results. The company also sells a user-generated search engine optimization (SEO) product called Site Champion, and a site navigation product called Learning Navigation.

SLI Systems was formed in 2001,^[2] and in 2013 the company raised $27 million NZD in its initial public offering^[3] and listed on the NZX.^[4] The core technology was originally developed at GlobalBrain, a company founded in 1998^[5] by Grant Ryan.^[6] That company was acquired by the internet arm of US media company, NBC in April, 2000 for US$32 million, but after dot-com crash^[2][7] Shaun Ryan and others bought the technology back from NBC, and formed SLI Systems.^[2]

SLI formerly had offices in San Jose, Christchurch, Tokyo, Melbourne and London and over 400 clients internationally including, FTD, 7 for all Mankind, Harry & David, and Next.^[8]

In 2013, SLI Systems launched an initial public offering on the NZX stock exchange, raising $27m NZD with shares issued at $1.50, to help fund growth into important markets like Japan and Brazil.^[9] Key investors included NZ entrepreneur Sam Morgan.^[10] SLI Systems's share price performed strongly initially, rising to $2.50, before falling to as low as 71c after the company posted larger than expected losses and had some unexpected senior management changes 2015.^[11][12]

SLI Systems announced to the New Zealand Exchange in November 2015 that revenue guidance would be 29% above the previous year.^[13] Recent significant client customer wins announced at the 2015 annual general meeting included Lenovo, David Jones, Harvey Norman and Paul Smith.^[14] SLI Systems' UK website also list a number of clients via case studies .^[15]

In January 2019 the company was taken private via acquisition by a private equity firm. The SLI search algorithm and IP were rolled into the company portfolio.^[16]

The company no longer operates independently and was delisted by the New Zealand Stock Exchange in January 2019. Soon after, the US domestic headquarters in San Jose were shut down.^[17]