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The Sampler App
Marie Chevrier's The Sampler App converts product samples into consumer acquisition data for CPG brands including Unilever and L'Oréal.
The Sampler App
The Sampler App launched in 2013 after founder Marie Chevrier, then working in digital marketing, recognized that brands lacked a measurable way to turn product samples into customer relationships. The platform allows consumer packaged goods companies to distribute physical samples to targeted demographics through digital channels, collecting first-party data and purchase intent signals that traditional in-store or mail sampling never captured. Chevrier participated in the Techstars retail accelerator and later raised venture funding from investors including BDC Capital and StandUp Ventures. The company operates at the intersection of ad-tech and logistics, serving enterprise CPG clients that use the platform to run sampling campaigns across social media, email, and affiliate channels. The software manages targeting, fulfilment, and post-sample consumer surveys, giving brands a closed-loop view of trial-to-purchase conversion. Named clients include Unilever, L'Oréal, and PepsiCo, with campaigns running across North America and select European markets. The firm generates revenue through SaaS licensing fees and per-sample fulfilment charges, positioning it as a marketing-technology provider rather than a physical sampling vendor. Chevrier runs a lean Toronto-based operation, though the company has not publicly disclosed headcount or revenue figures. The Sampler App has been recognized in Canadian tech awards including the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards. As of mid-2024, the company continues to operate independently, with Chevrier active on the board of the DMZ startup incubator at Toronto Metropolitan University. The firm added integrations with major e-commerce platforms to close the loop between sample request and online purchase. Structurally, The Sampler App differs from conventional sampling agencies by owning the digital infrastructure layer rather than the physical distribution assets. Third-party logistics partners handle warehousing and shipping, letting the firm scale campaign volume without capital-intensive fulfilment centres. Chevrier has publicly positioned the company as a data business that happens to ship boxes, framing product samples as a consumer research instrument that generates actionable segmentation data for brand marketers — a posture that separates it from promotional merchandise companies.
General information
Firm type
other
Year founded
2013
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
Canada
City
Toronto
Corporate office
Toronto, ON, Canada
Principals
Marie Chevrier
Founder & CEO
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
How does The Sampler App's business model differ from a traditional sampling agency?
The Sampler App operates as a SaaS platform that manages digital targeting, consumer qualification, and post-trial data collection, while third-party logistics partners handle physical fulfilment. Traditional sampling agencies typically sell bundled services that include physical distribution staff and event activation, whereas The Sampler App sells software access and per-sample campaign fees. This asset-light structure allows the company to scale campaign volume across multiple geographies without owning warehouses or fulfilment centres.
What type of consumer data does The Sampler App collect for brand clients?
The platform captures demographic targeting parameters, product preference signals, purchase intent responses, and post-trial feedback through digital surveys integrated into the sample request flow. Brands receive segmented consumer profiles that indicate which respondents are likely to purchase, repurchase, or recommend the product. The company positions this first-party data as a strategic asset for CPG marketers who have historically lacked visibility into what happens after a sample leaves the shelf or mailer.
Which CPG categories does The Sampler App serve?
The platform supports beauty and personal care, food and beverage, household products, and health and wellness categories. Named clients include Unilever, L'Oréal, and PepsiCo, indicating strength in large-enterprise consumer brands. The company has not disclosed specific category exclusions, though the digital targeting model works best for products where consumer trial meaningfully predicts purchase behaviour.
Is The Sampler App a venture-backed company?
Yes, the company raised venture funding from Canadian investors including BDC Capital and StandUp Ventures following its participation in the Techstars retail accelerator program. The exact total raised and the most recent round valuation have not been publicly disclosed. Marie Chevrier remains the CEO and public face of the company, suggesting she retains significant equity and operational control.
How does The Sampler App integrate with e-commerce platforms?
The company has added integrations with major e-commerce platforms to connect product sampling campaigns directly to online purchase flows. When a consumer requests a sample, the system can serve a discount code or direct purchase link for the full-size product, closing the loop between trial and transaction. Specific integration partners have not been named in the firm's public communications, though the capability is a core part of the platform's value proposition to digitally native brands.
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