Kukui Corp. has secured $27 million in “Series A” funding via a strategic growth investment from Memphis-based SSM Partners, a growth equity firm that invests in software, services and healthcare companies. According to Kukui, the funds will provide it with resources to accelerate its platform innovation and market expansion, as well as expand customer services and support growth in the automotive aftermarket.

As part of the investment, Jim Tallman is joining Kukui as executive chairman. Tallman is the executive chairman of Innovative Interfaces and a former CEO with multiple companies.

Since its launch in 2011, more than 2,000 auto repair businesses have used Kukui to manage their marketing, website and customer retention efforts, as well as receive analytics about the health and success of these programs.