What Cognitiv does

Cognitiv Corp. is a privately held deep learning advertising technology company founded in 2015 and headquartered in New York, with additional offices in San Mateo, Bellevue, and Chicago. The company builds a proprietary Deep Learning Advertising Platform (DLAP) that applies large-scale neural networks to programmatic media buying across display, CTV, audio, mobile, and social. Underlying the platform is custom C++ inference infrastructure compiled to native binary on bare metal, co-located inside SSP data centers to deliver sub-10ms (targeting 5ms) bid-stream evaluations, with 908% more CPU cores and 7,260% more memory than containerized alternatives. The platform operates on a cross-device identity graph spanning 250M+ US users and analyzes up to 2,500x more data than typical machine learning systems. Cognitiv monetizes through enterprise managed-service engagements on its Deep Learning DSP and through "Cognition Everywhere" channel-partner integrations (Magnite ClearLine, Index Exchange, PubMatic, Adform, The TradeDesk, DV360, Yahoo Beeswax, LiveRamp Marketplace) where its intelligence is accessed via Deal IDs without requiring advertisers to change DSPs. The company serves Fortune-500-grade enterprise advertisers across CPG, pharma, retail (luxury, fashion, automotive), travel/cruise, gaming/entertainment, sports betting (Fanatics Sportsbook), and food delivery verticals. Product portfolio includes ContextGPT (generative AI contextual targeting launched March 2026 with OpenAI LLM integration), AudienceGPT (LLM-powered audience targeting launched March 2026 with sub-15-minute refresh cycles), Curation (custom algorithms via dynamic Deal IDs), the Deep Learning DSP, and Performance CTV (custom deep learning models running across web and connected TV).

Name

Cognitiv

Legal name

Cognitiv Corp.

Website

https://cognitiv.ai

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Cognitiv is a deep learning advertising technology company that builds proprietary neural network infrastructure for programmatic media buying across display, CTV, audio, mobile, and social, serving enterprise advertisers through a managed-service DSP and channel-partner integrations with leading SSPs and DSPs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

AI-Powered Programmatic Advertising Technology

NAICS

Media Buying Agencies (541830), Advertising Agencies (54181)

SIC

Services-Advertising Agencies (7311)

akta.pro primary industry

Programmatic Display & Video (DSP/RTB) (BPAFACAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Programmatic Display & Retargeting (DSP) (MPAAACAE), Digital Performance Marketing (SEM, Paid Social, Programmatic) (BPAFAAAD)

Keywords

• Deep learning advertising
• Programmatic advertising platform
• Contextual targeting solutions
• Connected TV advertising
• AI marketing technology

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Deep Learning DSP (Managed Service): Managed service offering where Cognitiv's dedicated team runs programmatic campaigns directly through its in-house Deep Learning DSP, optimizing for client-specified KPIs. Revenue is generated through media buying fees and/or a percentage of ad spend managed on the platform.
2. Curation (Deal ID / PMP): Cognitiv applies custom deep learning algorithms trained on client outcomes data and packages them as dynamic Deal IDs for activation in any DSP. The advertiser retains their existing DSP while Cognitiv's intelligence is embedded via the PMP/Deal workflow. Revenue likely generated on a per-deal or managed-service basis.
3. ContextGPT (Programmatic): ContextGPT contextual targeting deals are sent to DSPs of choice, with Cognitiv's models evaluating impressions in real time within the SSP infrastructure. Available through SSPs including Magnite, PubMatic, and Index Exchange. Revenue tied to impressions evaluated and/or activated through the platform.
4. Performance CTV: Custom deep learning models trained on advertiser outcomes data running across web and CTV. Guaranteed CTV delivery with performance that improves over time. Delivered as a managed service with full transparency into budget allocation and audience performance.

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Cognitiv operates a proprietary Deep Learning Advertising Platform that runs large-scale neural networks in real time to predict consumer conversion behavior and optimize programmatic advertising campaigns. The platform is delivered as a managed service through its in-house Deep Learning DSP and also embedded into SSP and DSP partner infrastructure (Magnite, Index Exchange, PubMatic, The TradeDesk, DV360) via Deal IDs, enabling contextual targeting (ContextGPT), dynamic audience generation (AudienceGPT), custom algorithm curation, and connected TV performance optimization for enterprise brand advertisers.

Product overview

Cognitiv offers a Deep Learning Advertising Platform (DLAP) consisting of five integrated products that work independently or in combination: ContextGPT (generative AI contextual targeting with chat-based interface), AudienceGPT (dynamic audience targeting powered by LLM reasoning), Curation (custom deep learning algorithms for any DSP), Deep Learning DSP (full-service in-house programmatic platform), and Performance CTV (custom-model CTV advertising). The platform leverages proprietary neural networks processing 250 million+ cross-device IDs to deliver real-time predictions across display, mobile, CTV, audio, and streaming inventory.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ContextGPT: AI-powered contextual targeting tool using large language models and deep learning for real-time web page content understanding and ad placement optimization.
• AudienceGPT
• Curation
• Deep Learning DSP
• Performance CTV

Products and services

• Deep Learning Advertising Platform (DLAP) Underlying proprietary platform powering all Cognitiv products, featuring self-learning deep learning algorithms that analyze up to 2,500x more data than typical machine learning and evaluate users and context in real-time across digital channels.

Quantifiable outcome

• 388% growth in ContextGPT in 2025
• +9 more outcomes

Named customers20 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

AI capability8 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core / flagship, regional and supporting.

• LiveRampcore / flagshipTechnology or Integration · 26 March 2026AudienceGPT launched with formal integration with LiveRamp Marketplace on March 26, 2026. This integration positions AudienceGPT as Cognitiv's expansion from contextual targeting into the audience layer of the programmatic stack, enabling audience activation through LiveRamp's ecosystem of data partners and buyers.
• Magnitecore / flagshipTechnology or Integration · 26 March 2026AudienceGPT formal integration with Magnite announced March 26, 2026. This integration positions Cognitiv's expansion from contextual targeting into the audience layer of the programmatic stack through Magnite's ClearLine solution, addressing the structural lag between consumer intent and advertiser activation in static segment models.
• Index Exchangecore / flagshipTechnology or Integration · 26 March 2026AudienceGPT formal integration with Index Exchange announced March 26, 2026 alongside Magnite and LiveRamp Marketplace integrations. Enables buyers accessing Index Exchange to leverage AudienceGPT's dynamic audience profiles generated through conversational AI interfaces.
• Magnitecore / flagshipTechnology or Integration · 26 March 2026AudienceGPT formal integration with Magnite, announced March 26, 2026. Enables media buyers to access Cognitiv's dynamic audience profiles through Magnite's ClearLine curation solution, with audience refresh cycles as short as 15 minutes.
• Magnitecore / flagshipTechnology or Integration · 6 January 2026Real-time data integration announced January 6, 2026, bringing Cognitiv's deep learning capabilities to Magnite's ClearLine unified activation and curation solution. The partnership enables media buyers to access Cognitiv's deep learning models directly through Magnite's sell-side platform, enriching the bidstream with AI-driven optimization signals for omnichannel campaigns across premium video, display, audio, and CTV inventory. The integration positions Cognitiv to compete in the evolving programmatic landscape by embedding sophisticated optimization within supply-side infrastructure.
• Index Exchangecore / flagshipTechnology or Integration · 6 January 2026Real-time data integration with Index Exchange enabling media buyers to optimize omnichannel campaigns using Cognitiv's AI-powered models. The integration enriches the bidstream with Cognitiv's deep learning signals for intelligent curation across streaming TV, audio, display, and mobile channels. Multiple announcements across multiple outlets confirm January 6, 2026 as announcement date.
• WunderKIND Adscore / flagshipTechnology or Integration · 18 November 2025Strategic partnership announced November 2025 integrating Cognitiv's ContextGPT technology to provide media buyers with enhanced programmatic access to premium publishers and AI-driven contextual targeting. The new system improves ad relevance, yield, and performance across campaigns by enabling real-time content segmentation and audience analysis. The partnership aims to help publishers grow revenue and advertisers access unique inventory with higher relevance.
• OpenAIcore / flagshipTechnology or Integration · 20 March 2025Expanded collaboration with OpenAI announced March 2025 to support explosive demand for ContextGPT. The partnership leverages OpenAI's large language model capabilities within Cognitiv's ContextGPT platform for conversational contextual targeting. ContextGPT's advanced architecture uses proprietary deep learning combined with a GPT-based large language model to provide intelligence, transparency, and speed in contextual ad targeting.
• Index Exchangecore / flagshipTechnology or Integration · 13 November 2024Launched real-time curation using deep learning on Index Exchange marketplaces in November 2024. The integration enables programmatic buyers to leverage Cognitiv's neural network algorithms for intelligent curation directly within the Index Exchange marketplace ecosystem, addressing growing demand for AI-powered optimization as consumer attention fragments across multiple channels.
• AdformregionalTechnology or Integration · 17 June 2024Partnership announced June 2024 to offer Cognitiv ContextGPT to European advertisers for the first time. Adform serves as the platform through which European marketers can access Cognitiv's AI-powered contextual targeting, expanding Cognitiv's geographic footprint into the European market.
• PubMaticcore / flagshipTechnology or Integration · 11 June 2024Partnership announced June 2024 making PubMatic the first SSP to make Cognitiv ContextGPT 4 available to buyers. This integration enables programmatic buyers accessing PubMatic's supply to utilize Cognitiv's generative AI-powered contextual targeting capabilities, significantly expanding the reach of ContextGPT across PubMatic's publisher network.
• The TradeDeskcore / flagshipTechnology or Integration · 11 June 2024DSP integration partner for ContextGPT and AudienceGPT. ContextGPT deals can be sent directly to The TradeDesk as PMPs for activation. Listed as DSP partner alongside Google Display (DV360) and Yahoo Beeswax.
• Google (Display & Video 360)core / flagshipTechnology or Integration · 11 June 2024DSP integration partner for ContextGPT and AudienceGPT. ContextGPT deals can be sent to DV360 as PMPs for activation alongside The TradeDesk and Yahoo Beeswax.
• Yahoo (Beeswax)core / flagshipTechnology or Integration · 11 June 2024DSP integration partner for ContextGPT and AudienceGPT. ContextGPT deals can be sent to Yahoo Beeswax as PMPs for activation alongside The TradeDesk and DV360.
• ExperiansupportingOthers · 11 June 2024Data partner listed on Cognitiv's technology page alongside Circana, InMarket, FourSquare, Lucid, and LiveRamp. Experian's data signals are integrated into Cognitiv's deep learning platform for consumer behavior prediction and audience targeting.
• CircanasupportingOthers · 11 June 2024Data partner (formerly NPD) providing point-of-sale and consumer behavior data used in Cognitiv's deep learning models. Circana data was specifically cited in the National Cheese Brand case study for identifying households most likely to convert.
• InMarketsupportingOthers · 11 June 2024Data partner providing purchase intent and location-based consumer signals integrated into Cognitiv's deep learning platform.
• FourSquaresupportingOthers · 11 June 2024Location and venue data partner providing foot traffic and venue-level signals integrated into Cognitiv's deep learning platform for consumer behavior modeling.
• LucidsupportingOthers · 11 June 2024Survey and audience measurement partner providing brand lift and survey-based audience data integrated into Cognitiv's platform for campaign measurement and audience validation.
• LiveRampsupportingOthers · 11 June 2024Identity resolution and data connectivity partner. LiveRamp's identity graph enables Cognitiv to resolve consumer identities across devices and platforms. Featured as both a data partner and an AudienceGPT integration partner.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Smartly.io: AI-powered advertising platform automating creative production and campaign optimization at scale, primarily for social but expanding to programmatic. Comparable AI-first GTM and predictive performance optimization narrative.
• The Trade Desk: The largest independent DSP, directly named by Cognitiv as a deep learning integration partner via PMP/Deal IDs. Both compete for enterprise programmatic budgets across CTV and display, though Cognitiv differentiates via deep learning vs. rule-based optimization.
• StackAdapt: AI/ML-powered programmatic DSP serving brands and agencies with multi-channel execution including CTV, display, native, and video. Most direct comparable in applying machine learning to bid optimization in a self-serve and managed-service hybrid model.
• MediaMath: Independent enterprise DSP focused on programmatic buying with strong CTV and data capabilities. Comparable managed-service enterprise GTM motion and overlap with Cognitiv's deep learning DSP positioning in performance-oriented advertiser segments.

Broad incumbents

• Index Exchange: Global SSP and marketplace for premium programmatic advertising. Direct integration partner for Cognitiv real-time curation (Nov 2024; AudienceGPT Mar 2026); overlap in CTV and emerging format monetization.
• PubMatic: Independent SSP with extensive programmatic supply and supply-path optimization focus. The first SSP to make Cognitiv ContextGPT 4 available to buyers (June 2024); comparable in scale and channel breadth though supply-side rather than demand-side.
• Criteo: Commerce media and retargeting platform that has invested heavily in AI-driven bidding and contextual targeting (e.g., Kinetic). Comparable AI ad-tech positioning at enterprise scale, particularly in retail and commerce.
• Adform: Full-stack ad-tech platform combining DSP, DCO, and SSP. Cognitiv SSP partner for European expansion (Adform brought ContextGPT to European advertisers in June 2024); comparable in offering an integrated programmatic stack.
• Magnite: Largest independent SSP and CTV monetization platform. Direct integration partner for Cognitiv (Magnite ClearLine, Jan 2026) but also a broader ad-tech incumbent whose curation strategy overlaps with Cognitiv's SSP-side distribution ambition.
• Google Display & Video 360: Google's enterprise programmatic DSP, the largest in-market by spend. Listed as a Cognitiv DSP integration partner via PMP/Deal IDs; represents the dominant incumbent that AI-native DSPs must differentiate against on performance and service.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/teamcognitiv
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cognitiv
• Instagraminstagram.com/teamcognitiv
• Facebookfacebook.com/teamcognitiv

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds5 records

Investors1 record

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Cognitiv