The industry for qualitative research companies is dynamic and multifaceted, offering in-depth understanding and analysis to a variety of sectors. These companies provide qualitative and quantitative research solutions, effectively bridging the gap between data and decision making. Spanning multiple sectors such as advertising, media, digital, cyber security, market dynamics, healthcare, and banking, they offer valuable insights to influence strategic thinking and decision-making processes. With a strong focus on digital transformation, these companies are evolving to incorporate technology in their research strategies to provide more accurate and comprehensive data. This industry is set to witness substantial growth due to the increasing demand for data-driven insight in business and policy decision making.


Top 24 Qualitative Research Companies

1. Kantar

  • Website: kantar.com
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom
  • Founded: 2010
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Latest funding type: Acquired
  • LinkedIn

Kantar is a global research agency specializing in advertising effectiveness, strategic communication, media and digital, and brand research. They help clients develop great brands through comprehensive qualitative and quantitative research solutions. Kantar operates in more than 55 countries worldwide.


2. Ipsos

  • Website: ipsos.com
  • Headquarters: Paris, Ile-De-France, France
  • Founded: 1975
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Latest funding type: Ipo
  • LinkedIn

Ipsos is a company that conducts surveys and research to help organizations learn about cyber security issues. They work with businesses, charities, and educational institutions and provide up-to-date findings on how organizations approach cyber security. Participation in their surveys is confidential and they reassure participants through their cookie policy. They invite senior individuals with knowledge or responsibility for cyber security to take part in telephone interviews that last around 20 minutes.


3. WYgroup

  • Website: wygroup.net
  • Headquarters: Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
  • Founded: 2001
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • LinkedIn

WYgroup.net offers digital transformation solutions, market research, competitive intelligence, and customer analytics. With expertise in various industries including telecom, banking, healthcare, beauty, and energy, they help businesses make informed decisions and improve ROI. They specialize in data analysis, media analysis, and provide insights on market dynamics.


4. Vgm

  • Website: vgm.co
  • Headquarters: Hollywood, Florida, United States
  • Founded: 2008
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • LinkedIn

VGM.co is a market research and technology firm specializing in custom qualitative and quantitative consumer insight studies for the video game industry. They offer a unique hybrid quant/qual methodology called SLS, which guarantees the security of confidential assets while providing statistically significant results. Their services include playtesting, concept testing, market research, and technology development. With an extensive database of video game playtest scores and non-playtest online survey scores, they provide superior quality, speed, and pricing compared to other research firms.


5. Fors Marsh

Fors Marsh Group is a research and strategy firm that combines behavioral science and data analysis to tackle societal challenges and help people make better choices. They offer services in market research, consumer behavior analysis, and campaign activation.


6. Invamer

Invamer is a professional research company that provides qualitative and quantitative research services. With over 50 years of experience, they generate information to help businesses and individuals make better decisions. They offer a range of research methodologies and technological platforms to meet the diverse information needs of their clients.


7. KGS Research

KGS Research offers data analysis and research services conducted through live interviewers phone surveys. They provide immediate results with a personal touch and offer surveys in multiple languages. With their expertise and experience, they help clients gain insights and make strategic decisions based on trusted data.


8. Acorn Marketing & Research Consultants

  • Website: acornasia.com
  • Headquarters: Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Singapore
  • Founded: 1985
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • LinkedIn

Acorn Asia is a marketing and research consultancy firm that helps clients understand consumers' needs and desires. They offer services in brand assessment, market research, and consumer behavior analysis. They specialize in developing new products, crafting brand architectures, and improving client brands' relevance in evolving markets. Acorn Asia has a philosophy of partnering with clients and growing with them in excellence. They have a team of experienced professionals who are deep generalists in marketing and research.


9. Motivaction International

  • Website: motivaction.nl
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, Noord Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded: 1984
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • LinkedIn

Motivaction is a market research company offering a range of services including communication and branding research, international market research, online market research, trends analysis, product development and innovation, target audience analysis, shopper research, qualitative and quantitative research, and behavior influence.


10. Inra

INRA, S.C. is a Mexican company that has been conducting market research since 1947. They offer quantitative and qualitative research, monitoring of media using state-of-the-art technology, and market consulting.


11. BMi Research

  • Website: bmi.co.za
  • Headquarters: Craighall Park, Gauteng, South Africa
  • Founded: 2008
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • LinkedIn

BMi Research is a full-service market research provider with over 50 years of experience in the South African market value chain. They offer professional and efficient research solutions to support business strategies and decision-making. Their services include consumer behavior and business insights, pricing intelligence, statistical modeling, and adcheck. They have a strong reputation for prompt and friendly customer service.


12. Neurosensum

  • Website: neurosensum.com
  • Headquarters: Jakarta Selatan, Jakarta, Indonesia
  • Founded: 2017
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Latest funding type: Series A
  • LinkedIn

Neurosensum is a company specializing in neuromarketing and consumer insights. They offer a range of solutions, including AI-powered surveys, virtual reality experiences, and deep sensory analysis. Their expertise helps businesses understand consumer behavior at a deep level and make data-driven decisions.


13. Walnut Unlimited

Walnut Unlimited is a human understanding agency that specializes in blending traditional research with neuroscience techniques to interpret human behavior. They help brands connect with people by understanding what they think, how they feel, and why. Their expertise spans across various industries, allowing them to apply their insights and experience to successfully navigate different sectors. Walnut Unlimited is part of UNLIMITED, a fully integrated agency group focused on human understanding and digital transformation.


14. The Planning Shop

  • Website: planningshopintl.com
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom
  • Founded: 1987
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Latest funding type: Acquired
  • LinkedIn

The Planning Shop is a trusted brand consultancy specializing in healthcare industry. They provide insights and advice on positioning, brand development, and communication projects to pharmaceutical and biotech companies. With expertise in various therapy areas, they help navigate strategic challenges and deliver transformative business solutions for healthcare brands.


15. Lifescience Dynamics Limited

Lifescience Dynamics is a market research company specializing in the biopharma industry. They offer integrated market access, pricing, and reimbursement solutions designed with payer and key decision maker inputs. Their aim is to optimize clinical and commercial strategies to unlock the full potential of their clients' assets on a global scale.


16. WAAS International Plc

WAAS International is a market research consultancy firm specializing in consumer and market research. They offer a range of services including social research, field and tab operations, and corporate strategy. With technical capabilities and operational strength, WAAS International provides valuable insights to help businesses make informed decisions.


17. Mwm2

  • Website: mwm2.nl
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded: 2003
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • LinkedIn

MWM2 is a market research agency that focuses on listening to customers' needs, expectations, and experiences. They translate customer feedback into valuable insights and actionable improvements. Combining high-quality consultancy with innovative Crowdtech technology, MWM2 helps businesses enhance their products, services, and communication strategies.


18. Information International

Information International is a research consultancy firm based in Beirut. They specialize in conducting both quantitative and qualitative research in various fields. With a highly interactive approach, they offer services like opinion polls, surveys, focus groups, and impact assessments. They recruit members, develop moderators' outlines, conduct interviews, and analyze information to provide valuable insights and solutions for their clients. They have a solid experience in qualitative research and maintain close coordination with the client throughout the project.


19. Cimec

  • Website: cimec.es
  • Headquarters: Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
  • Founded: 2002
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

CIMEC is a strategic market research consultancy that offers customized solutions to meet the specific research needs of its clients. With a team of experienced professionals, they provide services such as communication effectiveness, customer experience analysis, market analysis, consumer engagement, brand image and positioning, and product and service development.


20. Strategy Works

The Strategy Works is a B2B insight consultancy that offers services to inform strategic decisions. Their methodologies are proven to work across various sectors and they specialize in providing qualitative business intelligence that is not easily accessible. They have an extensive network of consultants and researchers globally and their virtual structure allows for flexible scaling based on client needs.


21. Harris Interactive

Harris Interactive is a market research and consulting company that helps brands connect with their target customers through online communities, market strategy studies, and stakeholder/customer relations. They offer market insights and solutions for industries such as media & entertainment, financial services, packaging & sustainability, and telecoms & technology.


22. Magid

  • Website: magid.com
  • Headquarters: Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
  • Founded: 1957
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • LinkedIn

Magid is a consultancy firm specializing in travel, hospitality & leisure. With expertise in more than 100 brands, they provide qualitative and quantitative capabilities, business consultation, and training.


23. Happy Thinking People

Happy Thinking People is a leading independent market research and innovation consultancy, dedicated to providing in-depth insights into customer behavior and helping businesses make successful decisions.


24. Branding Science Group

Branding Science is a healthcare-focused company dedicated to driving positive change. They offer services such as sales force excellence, affiliate onboarding, and best practice exchanges to assist in the successful implementation of launch plans.


Want to find more qualitative research companies?


If you want to find more companies that offer in-depth qualitative data analysis and consultations you can do so with Inven. This list was built with Inven and there are hundreds of companies like these globally.


With Inven you'll also get to know the company's:


  • Ownership: Which of these are private equity backed? Which are family-owned?
  • Contact data: Who are the owners and CEO's? What are their emails and phone numbers?
  • Financials: How do these companies perform financially? What are their revenues and profit margins?

...and a lot more!