Smaato Raises $25M to Fuel Global Mobile Advertising Growth
Smaato, a leading mobile advertising technology provider, has announced a \(25 million Series E funding round. This investment brings the company's total funding to \)47 million, signaling strong market confidence in its innovative ad solutions.
Key Highlights of the Funding Round
- Investor Backing: The round was led by Asian media giant Singapore Press Holdings, with participation from existing investors Aeris CAPITAL and EDBI.
- Global Expansion: Funds will accelerate product development and market expansion across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.
- Profitability Status: CEO Ragnar Kruse confirmed Smaato operates profitably, making this a growth-focused raise.
Smaato’s Market Position and Growth Trajectory
Founded in 2005, Smaato has evolved into a powerhouse for mobile publishers and developers, offering:
- A robust supply-side platform (SSP) for ad inventory management
- An advanced ad exchange connecting publishers with multiple networks
Notable Growth Metrics:
- Publisher network expanded from 11,686 in 2011 to 78,000 in 2014
- Global presence with offices in San Francisco (HQ), New York, Hamburg, Singapore, and Jakarta
Strategic Vision from Leadership
Ragnar Kruse, Co-founder and CEO, shared key insights:
“While wearables generate buzz, smartphones remain the digital hub for advertising. Our focus is on strengthening this core market while expanding our premium publisher offerings through private ad exchanges.”
Ajitpal Pannu, Chief Strategy Officer, emphasized Smaato’s unique advantage:
“We’ve successfully bridged regional supply with global demand through programmatic technology. Our operational success in challenging markets like India and APAC sets us apart.”
The Future of Mobile Advertising
Smaato’s funding comes at a pivotal moment for mobile advertising, with industry projections showing:
- Continued smartphone dominance in digital advertising
- Growing demand for programmatic ad solutions
- Increasing importance of localized, regional ad inventory
The company plans to leverage this investment to enhance its technology stack and solidify its position as a global leader in mobile advertising solutions.
