Databerries Raises $16M to Bridge Online Ads with Offline Retail Traffic
Paris-based mobile advertising platform Databerries has secured $16 million in a funding round led by Index Ventures, with participation from ISAI, Mosaic Ventures, and prominent angel investors. The startup, founded in 2014, specializes in helping brick-and-mortar retailers target smartphone users with hyper-relevant ads based on their real-world movements.
How Real Life Targeting Works
Databerries’ flagship technology, Real Life Targeting, enables retailers to:
- Serve mobile ads to consumers who previously visited their stores (or compe*****s’ locations)
- Measure foot traffic generated by specific ad campaigns
- Optimize ad performance in real time for maximum ROI
Since its December 2015 launch, the platform has onboarded over 100 major retailers, including household names like Toys R Us and McDonald’s.
Why This Funding Matters
This Series A round marks a significant leap from Databerries’ initial $1.8 million seed funding. The capital will primarily fuel the company’s U.S. expansion, with operations now headquartered in New York.
“The U.S. represents the world’s largest advertising market,” explained François Wyss, COO and cofounder. “We’re bringing a proven solution that uniquely connects online ad precision with offline retail results.”
The Offline Retail Renaissance
While ecommerce dominates headlines, physical retail remains vital:
- Amazon continues opening brick-and-mortar stores (including cashierless Amazon Go locations)
- 70% of retail sales still occur offline (U.S. Census Bureau)
- Retailers are investing heavily in location analytics (Wi-Fi tracking, beacons, POS integration)
Databerries differentiates itself by focusing less on in-store analytics and more on driving measurable foot traffic through targeted mobile advertising.
The Measurement Gap in Retail Marketing
“Retailers spend over $100 billion annually on offline marketing with no clear performance metrics,” noted CEO Benoit Grouchko. “Mobile devices finally create a bridge between digital ads and physical conversions. We apply online advertising’s precision—targeting, personalization, and ROI measurement—to the offline world.”
The Competitive Landscape
While companies like RetailNext and Zenreach focus on in-store analytics, Databerries occupies a unique niche:
| Company | Focus Area | Key Differentiator |
|---|---|---|
| Databerries | Ad-driven foot traffic | Links mobile ads to store visits |
| RetailNext | In-store analytics | Tracks customer movements via sensors |
| Zenreach | WiFi marketing | Uses network logins for engagement |
As physical retailers increasingly adopt data-driven strategies, solutions like Databerries’ Real Life Targeting could redefine how stores attract and retain customers in the smartphone era.
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