Verve

What Verve does

Verve Group SE is an AI-driven omnichannel advertising technology platform that connects brands, agencies, and publishers across mobile, CTV, web, and emerging retail media channels in 150+ countries. The company operates two integrated marketplaces — Performance+ Marketplace (formerly PubNative) for mobile performance and Brand+ Marketplace (formerly Smaato) for omnichannel brand buying — supported by Dataseat (a privacy-first contextual DSP), HyBid SDK (an open-source mobile SDK among the largest in-app SDKs globally), ATOM (AI-powered on-device cohorts with 800+ segments that recapture eCPM lost in the post-ID era), Moments.AI contextual targeting (Digiday Best Contextual Targeting Offering 2023), Managed+ content amplification, and a newly launched cross-retailer Retail Media network in Germany that delivers a validated closed-loop between mobile impressions and POS purchases.

The company was established in 2019 as part of Media Games Invest, evolving from a gaming business into an advertising technology platform over approximately six years, and was listed on Nasdaq Stockholm in 2025 with plans to relocate its domicile to Ireland for a future direct U.S. listing. Revenue is generated through five streams: demand-side DSP fees (Dataseat, ~30% of 2025 revenue), supply-side marketplace commissions, retail media, brand and agency media campaigns, and platform/SaaS revenue — with 851 software customers spending $100,000+ on the platform as of Q2 2024. Verve serves enterprise brands including Microsoft, Toyota, P&G, L'Oréal, Walmart, Target, LinkedIn, Warner Bros., Paramount, McDonald's, GSK, and Eli Lilly, alongside major agency holding companies (Publicis, Havas, Omnicom) and 65,000+ publisher app integrations.

The unified intelligence layer combines zero-party data, search intent from 3 million+ publishers, and LLM conversational intent signals (ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Perplexity) to power AI-driven targeting across 2 billion+ users, processing over 1 billion daily events. The company is headquartered in Stockholm with offices in New York, London, São Paulo, Beijing, Bangalore, and Pune, employs 750–1,000+ professionals globally, and has executed acquisitions of Beemray (2021), Dataseat (2022), Jun Group (2024, $185M), Captify (2025), Acardo Group AG (2025, EUR 24.5M), and Viewento (2025).

Name

Verve

Legal name

Verve Group SE

Website

https://verve.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Verve Group SE is an AI-driven omnichannel ad-tech platform connecting brands, agencies, and publishers across mobile, CTV, web, and retail media in 150+ countries. It serves Fortune 100 advertisers, major agency holding companies, and 65,000+ publisher app integrations through its Performance+ and Brand+ marketplaces, Dataseat DSP, HyBid SDK, ATOM on-device cohorts, and LLM conversational intent signals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Programmatic Advertising Technology

NAICS

Media Buying Agencies (541830), Advertising Agencies (541810)

SIC

Services-Advertising (7310), Services-Advertising Agencies (7311)

akta.pro primary industry

Programmatic Display & Retargeting (DSP) (MPAAACAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Advertising, Marketing & Customer Personalization (HDAAAGAC)

Keywords

• Programmatic advertising platform
• Mobile ad tech
• Connected TV advertising
• Demand-side platform
• Retail media network

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Demand-side Platform Fees: Revenue from DSP services (Dataseat) providing mobile and CTV user acquisition, app growth, and retargeting capabilities. 30% of total company revenue as of 2025
2. Supply-side Platform/Marketplace: Revenue from Performance+ Marketplace (PubNative) and Brand+ Marketplace (Smaato) connecting publishers to DSPs with SDK-powered ad experiences
3. Retail Media: Cross-retailer retail media network generating revenue from mobile ads to physical retail through screens, checkout couponing, and in-store touchpoints. Germany launch with US expansion planned
4. Brand & Agency Media: Omnichannel advertising campaigns across premium inventory through direct integrations with mobile, web, and CTV publishers with AI-driven targeting
5. Platform/SaaS Revenue: Revenue from 851 software customers spending $100,000+ on platform, with Q4 2025 showing 6.8% software client growth and 5.3% large client growth quarter-on-quarter

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Verve Group SE operates an AI-driven omnichannel advertising technology platform that connects advertisers, agencies, brands, and publishers across mobile, CTV, web, and emerging retail media channels. Its two flagship marketplaces—Performance+ (formerly PubNative) for performance marketers and Brand+ (formerly Smaato) for omnichannel brand buyers—are supported by Dataseat (a privacy-first contextual DSP), the HyBid SDK (open-source mobile monetization SDK), ATOM (ID-less on-device cohorts), Moments.AI contextual targeting, Managed+ content amplification, and a newly launched Germany-based Retail Media network delivering the first validated closed-loop between mobile ads and retail purchases.

Product overview

Verve is an advertising technology company providing AI-driven omnichannel platforms that connect brands and publishers across mobile, web, CTV, and emerging retail media channels. The company's product portfolio centers on two integrated marketplaces—Performance+ Marketplace (formerly PubNative) for mobile-focused performance marketers and Brand+ Marketplace (formerly Smaato) for omnichannel brand buyers—supported by specialized solutions including Dataseat (privacy-first mobile DSP), HyBid SDK (open-source mobile monetization SDK), ATOM (AI-powered ID-less on-device cohorts), Moments.AI (contextual targeting), Managed+ (content amplification), and a newly launched Retail Media network. The unified intelligence layer combines zero-party data, search intent signals from 3M+ publishers, and emerging LLM conversational intent signals to power AI-driven targeting across 2.5 billion users and 150+ countries. Key differentiators include privacy-first ID-less advertising solutions, 30%+ demand-side revenue growth (2024), and direct integrations with 100+ DSPs including top Fortune 100 brands.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Dataseat: A contextual performance DSP built to supercharge app growth, optimizing for installs, subscriptions, purchases, and high-LTV users without relying on device IDs.
• Performance+ Marketplace
• Brand+ Marketplace
• ATOM
• HyBid SDK
• Managed+

Products and services

• Performance+ Marketplace (formerly PubNative) Mobile app monetization marketplace that connects publishers directly to competitive DSPs globally via SDK-powered ad experiences, immersive buffer-free formats, deterministic and contextual bid stream signals, and smart supply matching with adaptive demand shaping. Targets performance marketers and mobile publishers.
• Brand+ Marketplace (formerly Smaato) Omnichannel marketplace providing AI-powered deal curation across mobile, web, and CTV inventory, reaching 2B+ users across gaming, non-gaming, streaming apps and MFA-free web. Designed for brand buyers and DSPs seeking curated, high-quality supply with precise ID and ID-less audience signals.
• Dataseat Privacy-first contextual performance DSP for ROAS-driven app growth, optimizing for installs, subscriptions, purchases, and high-LTV users without relying on device IDs. Built for Apple's SKAN with full postback ingestion, mapping, and value-based outcome modeling, supporting SKAN, MMPs, and CTV-to-install measurement.
• HyBid SDK Open-source mobile SDK for app monetization that facilitates demand from 100+ DSPs and 90 Fortune 100 brands. Features modular and fully customizable ad formats, pre-cached buffer-free ads, AI-powered on-device cohorts (ATOM), and integration with leading mediation platforms.
• Moments.AI Contextual targeting solution that uses AI to analyze content context for privacy-first ad targeting without relying on personal identifiers. Recognized by Digiday as Best Contextual Targeting Offering.
• Managed+ Content amplification platform for publishers designed to drive qualified visitors to digital content and address organic traffic decline from LLMs by connecting publishers with engaged audiences across premium, brand-safe apps globally with 90%+ viewability and 100% share of voice.
• Retail Media Germany's largest independent cross-retailer retail media network connecting mobile advertising to in-store purchases. Reaches 85%+ of German households across 8,000 grocery/drugstore locations, 9,000 pharmacies, and 830 German cinemas, delivering the first validated closed-loop between mobile ads and retail purchases using POS transaction data and Add2Wallet coupon technology.
• Brand and Agency Media Omnichannel advertising solution for brands and agencies seeking to reach audiences across mobile, CTV, and web with AI-driven targeting and privacy-first ID-less solutions. Enables brand awareness campaigns, omnichannel media activation, and search/conversational intent targeting.
• CPG and Shopper Marketing Commerce-powered media solution for consumer packaged goods brands targeting shoppers across channels and retailers, delivering shoppable moments with measurement partners Circana, ABCS, Pathformance, and Engine for attribution and retail analytics.
• Performance Marketing Performance marketing offering for app user acquisition in privacy-first world, enabling SKAN optimization, CTV-to-install campaigns, retargeting, and ROAS optimization across mobile, CTV, and emerging channels.

Quantifiable outcome

• 244% ROAS for OTTO on iOS with Dataseat SKAN strategy
• +12 more outcomes

Named customers30 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration25 records

AI capability7 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ExperiancoreTechnology or Integration · 21 January 2025Integration of Experian's digital graph and audiences with Verve's proprietary ATOM ID-less on-device contextual platform, enabling advertisers to access Experian's audience segments across 12 categories while leveraging ID-less technology across 2.5 billion global users on CTV, DOOH, in-app, and audio channels
• IAB EuropeminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 July 2024Participated in IAB Europe's Great Debate on AI in Digital Advertising, presenting alongside Microsoft Advertising, GroupM Nexus, Google, IAS, and Nxt Statista
• CircanacoreTechnology or IntegrationMeasurement partner for CPG and shopper marketing, providing attribution and analytics for retail campaign measurement
• ABCScoreTechnology or IntegrationMeasurement partner providing attribution capabilities for shopper marketing campaigns and retail measurement
• PathformancecoreTechnology or IntegrationMeasurement and analytics partner for retail media attribution and campaign optimization
• EnginecoreTechnology or IntegrationMeasurement partner for shopper marketing and retail analytics capabilities
• GooglecoreTechnology or IntegrationMediation and bidding platform integration for publishers; testing Android Privacy Sandbox for post-ID era
• Amazon TAMcoreTechnology or IntegrationTransparent Ad Marketplace integration for publishers and demand partners
• AppLovin MAXcoreTechnology or IntegrationMediation platform integration enabling publishers to access Verve's demand through AppLovin MAX
• Digital TurbinecoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with Digital Turbine for mobile advertising and user acquisition
• PrebidcoreTechnology or IntegrationOpen-source header bidding solution for publishers to access Verve's demand
• NimbuscoreTechnology or IntegrationMediation platform integration for CTV and mobile app monetization
• EDEKAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor retail partner in Germany's largest independent cross-retailer retail media network, reaching 85% of German households
• REWEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRetail partner in Germany's retail media network covering grocery and drugstore locations
• KauflandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRetail partner in German retail media network with extensive store footprint
• Müller DrogeriecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDrugstore retailer partner in German retail media network with 9,000+ pharmacy locations

Scale indicators18 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Trade Desk: The leading independent omnichannel DSP competing directly with Verve's Dataseat and Brand+ Marketplace. Both serve advertisers and agencies with programmatic buying across CTV, mobile, and web; TTD sets the benchmark for independent DSP economics and scale.
• AppLovin: Mobile ad mediation and demand-side platform with AXON-powered AI bidding, comparable to Verve's mobile DSP and HyBid SDK business. Both focus on app install/UA economics, SKAN optimization, and AI-driven performance at scale.
• Magnite: Largest independent CTV-focused SSP, directly comparable to Verve's Brand+ Marketplace (formerly Smaato). Both operate omnichannel programmatic supply infrastructure across CTV, mobile, and web, serving publishers and DSPs globally.
• PubMatic: Independent SSP and programmatic monetization platform overlapping with Verve's marketplace business. Both serve publishers with header bidding, OpenRTB integrations, and AI-powered audience curation across mobile, CTV, and digital video.
• Criteo: Performance-focused DSP and retail media player, highly comparable to Verve's Dataseat performance DSP and German retail media network. Both compete in performance retargeting, CPG commerce media, and post-ID targeting solutions.
• Perion Network: Multi-channel digital advertising platform spanning search, display, CTV, and social, comparable to Verve's omnichannel Brand+ Marketplace. Both pursue AI-driven performance advertising across premium publisher inventory with privacy-first approaches.

Emerging players

• Moloco: AI-driven programmatic DSP focused on mobile and CTV performance, with comparable SKAN optimization and machine learning bidding to Dataseat. While smaller and more specialized, Moloco represents a credible AI-native challenger in Verve's core market.
• Taboola: Native advertising and content recommendation platform with growing performance and CTV capabilities. Less directly competitive than DSPs, but overlapping on the supply-side publisher monetization and advertiser targeting dimensions.
• Affle: Mobile ad-tech and audience intelligence company with comparable focus on mobile programmatic, retargeting, and CTV-to-app measurement. Newly staffed by Verve's former CEO Sameer Sondhi, indicating tight competitive overlap in mobile advertising.

Others

• DoubleVerify: Media measurement and ad verification platform serving many of the same enterprise advertisers and agencies as Verve. While not a direct ad-buying competitor, DoubleVerify is an ecosystem enabler in the programmatic supply chain that complements and overlaps with Verve's measurement capabilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/verve_inc
• Facebookfacebook.com/VerveGroup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/verve-ad-solutions
• Instagraminstagram.com/lifeatvervegroup

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds9 records

Investors9 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A14 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Verve