Promoted.ai

Founded in 2020 by Andrew Yates and Dan Hill, who previously helped build ad systems at Facebook and Google, Promoted.ai provides a unified marketplace optimization platform for placing ad and discounts on online marketplaces. Its features include 1) real-time data infrastructure to capture user metrics from apps and websites, 2) search and feed optimization, and 3) ad network and discount promotions to place personalized offers, deals, and native ads across multiple marketplaces. The platform, which is designed for web and mobile, leverages machine learning (ML) for optimizing and personalizing user experiences on online marketplaces. The firm also provides developers with technical documentation and access to open-source mobile client software developer kits (SDKs) to provide insights on log events, IAB impressions, dwell-time, and attributed conversions.The firm claims that its platform can increase a firm's profitability on marketplaces by 9% or more.

A unique aspect of Promote.ai’s growth strategy is to build a strong network of engineering talent, experts, and advocates to grow its platform. In line with this, the firm provided equity during its seed funding round to its founding engineering team, which consists of former Facebook, Pinterest, and Google engineers.

Key customers and partnerships

As of July 2022, users of the platform include Hipcamp, Snackpass, and Outschool.

Funding and financials

In July 2022, Promoted.ai raised USD 6 million in seed funding led by Y Combinator. It was a part of the startup accelerator’s winter cohort of 2020 where the platform was launched. The funding was used to further develop its real-time streaming data infrastructure platform as well as to expand its engineering team. In November 2021, the firm raised USD 2 million to expand its team.