Start.io
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
Start.io firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Start.io
- Legal name
- Start.io Inc.
- Website
- https://start.io
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Start.io industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Mobile AdTech — Supply-Side Platform and Mobile Audience Data
- NAICS
- Advertising Agencies (54181), Media Representatives (541840)
- SIC
- Services-Advertising (7310), Services-Computer Processing & Data Preparation (7374)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Programmatic Display & Retargeting (DSP) (MPAAACAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Customer Data Platform (CDP) & First-Party Data Enablement Services (MPAAAIAE), Offerwalls, Rewards & Performance Monetization (UA-linked payouts) (MPAFAJAI), Fraud, Risk, Chargebacks & Compliance (KYC/AML, tax/VAT) (MPAFAJAD)
Keywords
Where Start.io is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Start.io business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Sell-side Advertising Platform Fees: Commission-based revenue from facilitating ad transactions between publishers/app developers and advertisers/DSPs through real-time bidding auctions. Publishers supply ad inventory; advertisers bid for impressions.
- Audience Data Licensing: Revenue from licensing first-party mobile audience data and segments to brands, agencies, and data buyers. Segments include demographic, behavioral, and intent-based audiences.
- Syndicated Segment Sales: Pre-packaged audience segments available for purchase by advertisers across DSPs. Pricing based on segment type and geography.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Syndicated audience segments with variable pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Start.io product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Start.io operates a sell-side omnichannel advertising platform (SSP) that enables mobile app developers and website publishers to monetize their inventory through a self-serve SDK, while providing brands, agencies, and DSPs with AI-driven mobile audience data and segmentation tools. The platform combines a Mobile Monetization SDK (iOS/Android), the Maia Mobile AI Audiences NLP-based audience builder, a Consumer Insights and Audiences Hub, Device-Based Audience Segmentation, Curation, and Syndicated Segments activated on third-party DSPs such as LiveRamp, The Trade Desk, and Amobee. Revenue is generated from ad transaction fees on programmatic auctions and licensing of first-party mobile audience data.
Product overview
Start.io is a sell-side omnichannel advertising platform powered by real-time mobile audiences. The platform combines a supply-side platform (SSP) with SDK-based mobile monetization tools and AI-driven audience intelligence. Core offerings include the SSP platform for publishers to manage ad inventory, Mobile Monetization SDKs (iOS/Android) for app monetization, Device-Based Audience Segmentation for targeting, Curation tools for programmatic simplification, and Maia – Mobile AI Audiences using NLP for audience building. The Consumer Insights and Audiences Hub provides discovery and analytics, while Syndicated Segments enable activation across third-party DSPs including LiveRamp, The Trade Desk, Amobee, and Xandr. The platform processes 40 billion mobile behavioral signals daily across 2.5 billion monthly active users to power AI-driven audience segmentation and advertising optimization.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Maia: Mobile AI Audience platform - an easy-to-use, single frame platform for audience exploration and activation built on NLP and Artificial Intelligence.
Products and services
- Start.io Sell-Side Platform (SSP)
- Mobile Monetization SDK
- Maia – Mobile AI Audiences
- Consumer Insights and Audiences Hub
- Device-Based Audience Segmentation
- Curation
- Syndicated Segments
- AI-Driven Audiences
Quantifiable outcome
- 30 billion software downloads (SDK) demonstrating publisher reach
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Start.io
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Start.io technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
AI capability10 records
Feature10 records
Start.io partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- LiveRampcoreLong-standing data partnership since 2018. Start.io's first-party data available on LiveRamp across several countries. RampID native integration in SSP platform enables privacy-safe people-based identity resolution for buy-side demand.
- StackAdaptcoreIndustry-leading DSP partnership. Start.io provides StackAdapt clients better access to diverse, global mobile audience through SSP integration.
- PubMaticmajorTwo-year partnership helping PubMatic's customers achieve demand goals with high-quality inventory.
- DoubleVerifymajorPartnership to strengthen brand safety and suitability. Integration of DoubleVerify's measurement and verification capabilities into Start.io's platform.
- BidMachinemajorSupply partnership with BidMachine, an app monetization platform. Collaboration on SDK performance and direct placements for brand demand.
- xyzt.aiminorMarketing partnership with joint webinar on self-service analytics and location intelligence.
- MediaMathmajorPartnership to help marketers reach the right audiences through programmatic buying.
- The Trade DeskcoreSyndicated segments available for activation on The Trade Desk DSP platform.
- Display & Video 360coreSyndicated segments available for activation on Google's Display & Video 360 platform.
- AmobeecoreAudience activation available on Amobee's DSP platform.
- XandrcoreAudience activation available on Xandr's DSP platform (now part of Microsoft).
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Start.io competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- InMobi: InMobi is a mobile-focused SSP and audience data platform with comparable mobile ad inventory monetization and audience targeting offerings, targeting both app developers and brand advertisers globally.
- ironSource (now part of Unity): ironSource is a mobile-focused SSP and monetization platform that overlaps with Start.io in SDK integration, ad mediation, and app developer monetization services.
- Lotame: Lotame is a data management and audience data provider that sells syndicated audience segments to DSPs and brands, overlapping with Start.io's syndicated segments and first-party data licensing business.
- Verve Group: Verve Group (formerly Media.net's SSP business) operates a mobile-first omnichannel SSP with audience targeting, DSP integrations, and branded SDK-based monetization, mirroring Start.io's core platform scope.
- Unity Ads / Unity Level Play: Unity's Level Play is a mobile mediation and ad monetization platform that directly competes with Start.io's SDK-based monetization for app developers, particularly in gaming.
Others
- LiveRamp: LiveRamp is a data collaboration and identity resolution platform and a Core partner/channel for Start.io. Their relationship is mutually enabling rather than directly competitive, since Start.io distributes audiences via RampID.
Emerging players
- Moloco: Moloco operates a mobile-first programmatic DSP and retail media platform. It complements rather than directly competes with Start.io but operates in the same AI-driven mobile advertising infrastructure category.
Broad incumbents
- PubMatic: PubMatic is a publicly listed SSP that partners with Start.io while competing in the same supply-side marketplace for publisher inventory and programmatic demand activation.
- Magnite: Magnite is the largest independent omnichannel SSP with CTV focus. While broader than Start.io, it competes directly in programmatic supply, curation, and DSP integrations across mobile and video inventory.
- AppLovin: AppLovin operates a mobile ad stack spanning mediation, exchange, and audience targeting. While gaming-focused, its SDK-based monetization and audience graph directly compete with Start.io for app developer mind-share.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Start.io social profiles
Digital presenceStart.io compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance7 records
Start.io financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Start.io leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Start.io funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Start.io M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Start.io
What does Start.io do?
Start.io operates a sell-side omnichannel advertising platform (SSP) that enables mobile app developers and website publishers to monetize their inventory through a self-serve SDK, while providing brands, agencies, and DSPs with AI-driven mobile audience data and segmentation tools. The platform combines a Mobile Monetization SDK (iOS/Android), the Maia Mobile AI Audiences NLP-based audience builder, a Consumer Insights and Audiences Hub, Device-Based Audience Segmentation, Curation, and Syndicated Segments activated on third-party DSPs such as LiveRamp, The Trade Desk, and Amobee. Revenue is generated from ad transaction fees on programmatic auctions and licensing of first-party mobile audience data.
Is Start.io a public or private company?
Start.io is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Start.io founded?
Start.io was founded in 2016. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Start.io based?
Start.io is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does Start.io make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Sell-side Advertising Platform Fees are the primary driver. The others are audience Data Licensing and syndicated Segment Sales.
Who are Start.io's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are InMobi, ironSource (now part of Unity), Lotame, Verve Group and Unity Ads / Unity Level Play. LiveRamp is listed as an others. Moloco is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are PubMatic, Magnite and AppLovin.
Does Start.io have an API?
No public API is recorded for Start.io.
What industry is Start.io in?
Start.io's product category is Mobile AdTech — Supply-Side Platform and Mobile Audience Data. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAAACAE, Programmatic Display & Retargeting (DSP), with a secondary code of MPAAAIAE, Customer Data Platform (CDP) & First-Party Data Enablement Services. Its NAICS code is 54181 and its SIC code is 7310.