What Penthera Partners does

Penthera Partners is a privately held SaaS company, founded in 2006 and headquartered in New York, that builds cloud-based video streaming infrastructure for OTT (over-the-top) video providers worldwide. The company operates three core products: 2nd Look, a Server-Side Ad Insertion (SSAI) solution that enables real-time ad pod construction for ad-supported video-on-demand (AVOD) publishers; Penthera Download, a managed offline mobile video playback solution widely deployed across major streaming apps; and Download for AVOD, an extension of the download product with dynamic ad support for AVOD publishers. The technical foundation includes proprietary SDKs for iOS (version 4.1) and Android (version 3.17), plus a server-side architecture that integrates with AWS MediaTailor for SSAI workflows.

The company monetizes through recurring subscription-based contracts with enterprise OTT customers, sold via direct enterprise field sales. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Penthera's software is deployed across 200+ million devices in 40+ countries spanning six continents, and its download technology powers approximately half of the 28 top OTT providers that offer mobile downloading to their users. Named customers include Paramount+, Showtime, A&E Network, Fox Nation, and Red Bull Content Acquisition. The company is backed by Liberty Global Ventures and Marc Rowan, CEO of Apollo Global Management, and holds an official AWS Partner for Monetization designation with 2nd Look listed on the AWS Marketplace.

Penthera's strategic positioning centers on two interlocking problems in video streaming: maximizing ad yield for AVOD publishers through real-time SSAI ad decisioning, and improving the mobile viewer experience through faster downloads, reduced startup latency, and reliable offline playback. Its competitive claims include a download engine that performs 1.5x faster than Netflix and up to 10x faster than weaker DIY solutions, and SSAI integration that delivers higher fill rates, render rates, and CPMs for publishers. The company received the 2023 Streaming Media Trendsetting Product award and the ITVT Award for Achievement in Monetization for its 2nd Look product.

Name

Penthera Partners

Legal name

Penthera Partners, Inc.

Website

https://penthera.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Penthera Partners is a New York-based SaaS company providing cloud-based video streaming infrastructure—including Server-Side Ad Insertion and offline mobile playback solutions—to enterprise OTT providers worldwide, with software deployed across 200+ million devices in 40+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

OTT Video Streaming Software

NAICS

Software Publishers (513210)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Ad Insertion & Server-Side Ad Insertion (SSAI) Infrastructure (MPAHAIAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Enterprise/Creator Video Hosting & OTT SaaS Platforms (MPACAAAL)

Keywords

• Video streaming software
• OTT video solutions
• Server-side ad insertion
• Offline video download
• AVOD monetization

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. SaaS Subscription for Video Streaming Solutions: Penthera operates as a SaaS company providing video streaming solutions to OTT providers. Revenue is generated through subscription-based managed solutions including 2nd Look (SSAI monetization), Penthera Download (offline playback), and Download for AVOD. The company serves publishers in 40+ countries with cloud-based products delivered across 200+ million devices.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Penthera Partners is a global SaaS company that provides video streaming software solutions to OTT providers. Its core offerings are 2nd Look, a cloud-based Server-Side Ad Insertion (SSAI) solution that enables real-time ad decisions for AVOD publishers, and Penthera Download, a managed solution for secure and reliable offline mobile video playback, plus a Download for AVOD variant. The software is deployed across 200+ million devices in 40+ countries, serving customers such as Paramount+, Showtime, A&E Network, Fox Nation, and Red Bull Content Acquisition.

Product overview

Penthera is a global SaaS company providing video streaming solutions to OTT providers. Its product portfolio consists of three core solutions: 2nd Look (Server-Side Ad Insertion for AVOD ad monetization), Penthera Download (offline mobile video playback for SVOD/subscription services), and Download for AVOD (offline playback with dynamic ad support). The company also provides iOS and Android SDKs (versions 4.1 and 3.17 respectively) for developer integration. These products address ad-supported video monetization and mobile viewing experience challenges across 40+ countries and 200+ million devices.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 2nd Look Server-Side Ad Insertion (SSAI) solution for AVOD publishers that connects with ad stitchers to enable real-time ad pod construction right before ad breaks occur, delivering higher fill rates, render rates, CPMs, and faster startup times for ad-supported VOD.
• Penthera Download Managed solution for secure and reliable offline mobile video playback, enabling viewers to download video content to their devices for offline viewing with guaranteed quality and no interruptions. Described as the fastest download engine (1.5x Netflix, 3-4x DIY solutions, up to 10x weaker alternatives).
• Download for AVOD Managed solution for offline video playback with dynamic ad support and measurement, designed specifically for AVOD publishers to enable downloadable content with integrated advertising.
• iOS SDK Software development kit (version 4.1) for integrating Penthera's download, streaming, Fastplay, and PlayAssure capabilities into iOS applications.
• Android SDK Software development kit (version 3.17) for integrating Penthera's download, streaming, Fastplay, and PlayAssure capabilities into Android applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Download engine performs 1.5x faster than Netflix, 3-4x faster than average DIY solutions, and up to 10x faster than weaker solutions
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered flagship.

• Amazon Web Services (AWS)flagshipTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2023Penthera is an official AWS Partner for Monetization, with 2nd Look integrated into AWS MediaTailor for Server-Side Ad Insertion. The partnership includes co-marketing at IBC 2023 with a demonstration in the AWS booth, and 2nd Look is now available in AWS Marketplace. This is a flagship partnership validated by AWS acknowledging Penthera's game-changing capabilities.
• Amazon Partner NetworkflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPenthera's cloud-based solution (2nd Look) was made a featured offering in the Amazon Partner Network, validating its ability to increase revenue and improve start-up times for ad-supported streamers using MediaTailor SSAI.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SpringServe: Server-side ad insertion and video ad management platform — directly comparable to Penthera's 2nd Look SSAI offering and listed alongside Penthera as an AWS Partner for Monetization.
• Brightcove: End-to-end OTT video platform SaaS provider serving media companies with video hosting, player SDKs, monetization, and live streaming — overlapping directly with Penthera's OTT provider customer base and SaaS delivery model.
• Mux: Video infrastructure API and SaaS platform offering streaming, player, and SSAI-style ad insertion tooling to OTT and SaaS video providers — directly competes with Penthera's download, playback, and 2nd Look SSAI offerings on cloud.
• JW Player (JWP): Video player, OTT platform, and ad insertion SaaS targeting publishers and broadcasters — comparable in product surface area (player SDKs, OTT SaaS, ad monetization) and customer segment to Penthera.
• Bitmovin: Video encoding, player, and analytics SaaS for OTT and streaming providers — competes with Penthera's streaming and playback product layer, particularly for premium OTT and broadcaster customers.

Broad incumbents

• AWS Elemental MediaTailor: AWS-native server-side ad insertion and personalization service. Both Penthera's 2nd Look integration partner and direct competitive threat — AWS could absorb the functionality Penthera layers on top.
• FreeWheel (Comcast): Cross-platform ad management and SSAI for premium video publishers — competes with Penthera 2nd Look for AVOD ad-decisioning spend at major OTT and broadcaster customers.
• Comcast Technology Solutions: Division of Comcast offering OTT video cloud, ad insertion, and content distribution services — competes with Penthera at the OTT infrastructure layer and via broader portfolio of services.
• Edgio (formerly Verizon Media / Limelight): Edge delivery, CDN, and OTT streaming platform serving media and entertainment customers — overlaps with Penthera's OTT infrastructure footprint and competes for the same enterprise OTT budgets.
• Akamai: Global CDN and cloud delivery provider offering streaming delivery, media optimization, and OTT infrastructure — competes at the streaming infrastructure layer where Penthera's 2nd Look and download solutions operate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/wearepenthera
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC9Q3dhm_LqZM3kk-smYCx2w
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/penthera

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds11 records

Investors4 records

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 Penthera Partners