Aqua Platform
Aqua Platform BV is a Netherlands-based managed hosting provider that operates cloud-based hosting services for the open-source Revive Adserver software, serving publishers, advertisers, and organizations migrating from self-hosted or enterprise ad servers worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersGroningen, Netherlands
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Aqua Platform does
Aqua Platform BV is a Netherlands-based managed hosting provider founded in January 2015 that specializes exclusively in cloud-based hosting of the open-source Revive Adserver software. The company operates from Jonkersvaart, employs 1-10 people, and is led by founders Erik Geurts (Managing Director), Matteo Beccati (Development Director, lead developer of Revive Adserver), and Ian van Marwijk (Technical Director). Its core technology stack combines the Revive Adserver open-source codebase with proprietary infrastructure components including a Condense database optimization tool (79-99% volume reductions, up to 100x faster reporting), batch-processing statistics aggregation, multi-layered edge filtering for invalid/bot traffic, and a proposed cryptographic impression-logging protocol. Aqua Platform delivers this infrastructure through two commercial products: Aqua Ad Server, a low-fee shared multi-tenant subscription service aimed at individuals, startups, and organizations migrating from ad servers such as DFP/Google Ad Manager; and Revive Adserver Hosting, a dedicated managed hosting service with free migration, automatic version updates, and dedicated support for organizations with existing self-hosted installations. The go-to-market is product-led and self-serve via the company website, supported by content marketing (blog, documentation, tutorials), LinkedIn, GitHub, and an RSS feed, with operational transparency delivered through a public Statuspage (100% uptime over 90 days across hosted services). In November 2023, Aqua Platform acquired all activities, assets, and liabilities of Revive Software and Services (Revive SAS) — the corporate entity behind the Revive Adserver open-source project — effective January 1, 2024, consolidating upstream software stewardship and commercial hosting under a single Dutch BV. The company is privately held, founder-owned, and has not disclosed any external institutional funding.
Aqua Platform firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Aqua Platform
- Legal name
- Aqua Platform BV
- Website
- https://aquaplatform.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Aqua Platform BV is a Netherlands-based managed hosting provider that operates cloud-based hosting services for the open-source Revive Adserver software, serving publishers, advertisers, and organizations migrating from self-hosted or enterprise ad servers worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Aqua Platform industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Ad Server Hosting
- NAICS
- Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (5182)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cloud‑Native & SaaS ADC / Load Balancing (Managed L4/L7) (HDAFAHAD)
Keywords
Where Aqua Platform is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Groningen
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Aqua Platform business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Hosted Ad Server Subscriptions: Monthly subscription fees for hosting Aqua Ad Server (shared hosting) and dedicated Revive Adserver instances. Includes platform access, support, and automatic updates.
- Migration and Professional Services: Migration services for organizations moving from self-hosted Revive Adserver installations to Aqua Platform, including free version updates during migration
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Aqua Ad Server - shared hosting service |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Aqua Platform product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Aqua Platform provides cloud-based managed hosting services for the open-source Revive Adserver ad serving software. It sells two commercial hosting products: Aqua Ad Server, a low-fee shared multi-tenant hosted ad serving system, and Revive Adserver Hosting, a dedicated managed hosting service for organizations migrating from existing self-hosted installations. Both run on Aqua Platform's proprietary cloud infrastructure with built-in security, database optimization, and 24/7 expert support, plus free migration services.
Product overview
Aqua Platform operates as a specialist managed hosting provider for the Revive Adserver open-source ad serving software. The company offers two main commercial products: Aqua Ad Server (a subscription-based shared hosting service ideal for individuals and organizations migrating from ad servers like Google Ad Manager) and Revive Adserver Hosting (dedicated hosting for organizations with existing self-hosted installations). Both products run on the same enterprise-grade Aqua Platform infrastructure and are supported by Revive Adserver experts. The Revive Adserver software itself is free, open-source software that Aqua Platform maintains in collaboration with the broader community. Recent technical enhancements include the Condense database optimization tool for automated statistics aggregation, edge-filtering bot mitigation, and significant reporting performance improvements. The company acquired Revive Software and Services in November 2023, combining the open-source project with commercial hosting operations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Aqua Ad Server: A hosted ad serving system based on Revive Adserver software, offered as a shared multi-tenant service with a low monthly fee. Ideal for individuals, startups, and organizations migrating from other ad servers like DFP/Google Ad Manager.
- Revive Adserver Hosting
Products and services
- Aqua Ad Server A subscription-based, cloud-hosted ad serving system built on the open-source Revive Adserver software, designed for individuals, startups, and organizations that want an easy-to-use, powerful, and affordable ad server — typically for those migrating from DFP or Google Ad Manager.
- Revive Adserver Hosting Dedicated managed hosting service for organizations with existing self-hosted Revive Adserver installations, providing migration assistance, automatic version updates, dedicated infrastructure, and access to Aqua Platform's Revive Adserver experts.
Quantifiable outcome
- 99-100% uptime for ad server hosting services
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Aqua Platform
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Aqua Platform technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Aqua Platform partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Revive Software and ServicescoreAqua Platform acquired all activities, assets, and liabilities of Revive Software and Services (Revive SAS) effective January 1, 2024. This combined the Revive Adserver open-source project development with commercial hosting operations. Both companies were founded in January 2015 with overlapping team members. The acquisition brought the Revive Adserver Hosted edition, core developers, and project leadership under single ownership.
- Revive Adserver Open Source CommunitycoreAqua Platform contributes to and maintains the Revive Adserver open-source project. The company has been a major contributor since 2015 in development, testing, real-world experience, and backend operations. Aqua Platform also transferred the VidiX video ads plugin to Revive Software and Services in June 2023.
- Revive Adserver Hosted EditioncoreAqua Platform has operated the backend of the entire Revive Adserver Hosted edition operation since 2018. Following the acquisition, this is now fully integrated into Aqua Platform operations.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Aqua Platform competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Epom: Epom offers a white-label ad server and programmatic platform for media buyers and ad networks. It is comparable to Aqua Platform as a managed ad-serving solution with hosted deployment options, targeting similar mid-market and SMB ad-tech customers.
- AdButler: AdButler is an independent ad server offering both hosted and self-hosted plans for publishers and ad networks. It is directly comparable to Aqua Platform as a managed ad-serving platform targeting publishers looking for an alternative to Google Ad Manager.
- Kevel: Kevel provides an ad server API and managed ad-serving infrastructure for companies building custom ad platforms. It is comparable to Aqua Platform in providing infrastructure for serving ads, though focused more on APIs and custom builds than turnkey hosting.
- Smart AdServer (Equativ): Smart AdServer (now Equativ) is an independent ad serving and programmatic platform serving publishers and media buyers globally. It competes with Aqua Platform for publishers seeking an alternative to Google's ad stack, though at a much larger enterprise scale.
- ZEDO: ZEDO offers an ad server and ad ops platform with both hosted and on-premise deployment options for publishers and ad networks. It is comparable to Aqua Platform as a long-standing independent ad server alternative to Google Ad Manager.
Broad incumbents
- Google Ad Manager: Google Ad Manager (formerly DFP) is the dominant free ad serving platform integrated with Google's broader ad exchange and ad ecosystem. Aqua Platform explicitly positions its offering against Google Ad Manager, citing cost and complexity as migration drivers.
- OpenX: OpenX operates a large-scale omnichannel ad exchange and ad serving platform for premium publishers. It is comparable to Aqua Platform in the ad-serving function but operates as a much broader programmatic incumbent rather than a focused hosting provider.
- Google AdSense: Google AdSense is the dominant free publisher monetization product and competes with independent ad servers for SMB publisher spend. While not a direct ad server, it sets the default monetization option that Aqua Platform customers are weighing alternatives against.
Emerging players
- AdRoll: AdRoll provides ad serving and retargeting solutions for SMB advertisers and ecommerce merchants. It overlaps with Aqua Platform in the SMB ad serving and campaign management use case, though it focuses more on performance/retargeting than publisher hosting.
Others
- Revive Adserver (Open Source Project): Revive Adserver is the open-source project that Aqua Platform hosts and now owns outright following the Revive SAS acquisition. It is included as a 'peer' because Aqua Platform's hosted offering competes with community-driven self-hosting deployments of the same software.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Aqua Platform social profiles
Digital presenceAqua Platform financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Aqua Platform leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Aqua Platform funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Aqua Platform M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Aqua Platform
What does Aqua Platform do?
Aqua Platform provides cloud-based managed hosting services for the open-source Revive Adserver ad serving software. It sells two commercial hosting products: Aqua Ad Server, a low-fee shared multi-tenant hosted ad serving system, and Revive Adserver Hosting, a dedicated managed hosting service for organizations migrating from existing self-hosted installations. Both run on Aqua Platform's proprietary cloud infrastructure with built-in security, database optimization, and 24/7 expert support, plus free migration services.
Is Aqua Platform a public or private company?
Aqua Platform is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Aqua Platform founded?
Aqua Platform was founded in 2015. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Aqua Platform based?
Aqua Platform is headquartered in Groningen, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does Aqua Platform make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Hosted Ad Server Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are migration and Professional Services.
Who are Aqua Platform's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Epom, AdButler, Kevel, Smart AdServer (Equativ) and ZEDO. Broad incumbents are Google Ad Manager, OpenX and Google AdSense. AdRoll is listed as an emerging player. Revive Adserver (Open Source Project) is listed as an others.
Does Aqua Platform have an API?
No public API is recorded for Aqua Platform.
What industry is Aqua Platform in?
Aqua Platform's product category is Ad Server Hosting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAFAHAD, Cloud‑Native & SaaS ADC / Load Balancing (Managed L4/L7). Its NAICS code is 5182 and its SIC code is 7372.