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Y Media Labs

Full company profile

uuid003w1qd

Namestring
Y Media Labs
Websiteurl
yml.co
Company typeenum
Private
Founded yearint
2009
Descriptiontext

Y Media Labs (YML) is a digital product and innovation agency that designs and develops mobile applications, web platforms, and digital experiences for enterprise and startup clients. The company operates with a balanced mix of creative and engineering talent and focuses on helping clients navigate changing consumer behaviors, emerging technologies, and AI across the full consumer journey. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Redwood City, California, YML employed between 251 and 500 staff as of the latest available data.

In June 2023, YML was acquired by Code and Theory, a technology-first creative agency within Stagwell Group (NASDAQ: STGW), and now operates as part of the Code and Theory Network. The combined network is structured around a 50% creative and 50% engineering talent balance and claims a global footprint with the capability to serve clients across the entire consumer journey. Through this integration, YML gains access to Stagwell's broader portfolio of agencies, enterprise distribution channels, and resources to scale against large consultancies.

The company's business model is services-based: revenue is generated through digital product design, development, and innovation engagements rather than through a licensed product or platform. Pricing and contract structures are not publicly disclosed. The customer base is described as horizontal, targeting large enterprises navigating changing consumer behaviors and emerging technologies, though no specific customer logos, segment splits, or revenue concentration data have been disclosed. Leadership is anchored by founders Sumit Mehra (CTO) and Ashish Toshniwal (CEO), with senior functional leadership across finance, operations, creative, product, engineering, and AI.

Short descriptiontext

Y Media Labs is a digital product and innovation agency that designs and develops mobile apps, web platforms, and digital experiences for enterprise and startup clients, and now operates within the Code and Theory Network of Stagwell Group.

Operating statusenum
Acquired
Ownership categoryenum
Headcount rangeband
251–500
akta.pro rankint
HeadquartersRedwood City, United States
HQ citystring
Redwood City
HQ countrystring
United States
HQ regionstring
North America
Markets served

Serves global market

Keyword5 values
digital product design, mobile app development, web platform development, innovation consulting, digital experience agency
Industry1 code
1Localization Technology & Workflow Services (TMS, CMS, Automation)
CodeMPAAANAIPrimaryYes
NAICS code2 codes
  • Media Representatives54184
  • Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services518210
SIC code1 code
  • Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc.7370
Product category
Digital Product Design Services
Social media profiles2 records
Cost components4 values
Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
GTM typeB2B
B2B
Offering typeServices
Services
Core offering1 text field

Y Media Labs is a digital product and innovation agency that designs and develops mobile applications, web platforms, and digital experiences for enterprise and startup clients. Following its June 2023 acquisition by Code and Theory, YML operates within the Code and Theory Network, combining 50% creative and 50% engineering talent to help businesses navigate changing consumer behaviors, emerging technologies, and AI across the consumer journey.

Differentiator
Functional benefit
Problem solved
Product overview1 text field

Y Media Labs operates as a digital product and innovation agency offering end-to-end design and development services. Following its acquisition by Code and Theory in June 2023, YML now operates as part of the Code and Theory Network, a technology-first creative agency within Stagwell Group. The combined entity leverages 50% creative and 50% engineering staff to help businesses navigate changing consumer behaviors, emerging technologies, and AI integration across the consumer journey.

Product and service1 record
1Digital Product Design and Innovation Services
CategoryDigital product design and engineering services
Scale indicator1 record

Each record includes

Type, Value, Description, Source

Partnership1 partner
Strategic tierFlagshipTypeStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnounced on2023-06-01
Description

YML has joined Code and Theory as of June 2023. Code and Theory is a technology-first creative agency part of Stagwell Group. The acquisition expands Code and Theory's global capabilities with YML's digital product and innovation expertise. Code and Theory Network balances 50% creative and 50% engineers at scale.

Recent move5 records

Each record includes

Date, Type, Title, Description, Source

Expansion highlight4 records

Each record includes

Type, Description

Peers10 records
TypeDirect peer
Description

Digital experience agency that designs, builds, and transforms digital products and services for enterprise clients across industries — comparable service offering and enterprise client focus to YML.

TypeEmerging player
Description

Independent digital product studio known for app design and digital products with a strong design-engineering hybrid model — comparable to YML in craft and approach, though typically smaller and more selective in engagements.

TypeDirect peer
Description

Digital product agency that designs and engineers digital products (apps, websites, platforms) for major brands such as Google, Facebook, and IKEA — direct competitor to YML in the enterprise product build space.

TypeDirect peer
Description

YML's parent company and the lead brand of the Code and Theory Network; a technology-first creative agency within Stagwell Group offering the same digital product design and engineering services. Now operationally intertwined with YML.

TypeDirect peer
Description

Long-established digital product and innovation agency known for combining design and engineering to build connected products and brand experiences for global enterprise clients — a close peer to YML's design-plus-engineering model.

TypeDirect peer
Description

Design and innovation agency within WPP that builds digital products, services, and brand experiences for global brands — directly comparable agency peer to YML within the holding-company agency ecosystem.

TypeBroad incumbent
Description

Large digital transformation and product engineering services firm that builds digital products and platforms at scale for global enterprises — broader scope and scale than YML but overlapping enterprise digital product offering.

TypeDirect peer
Description

Global design and innovation firm specializing in human-centered design, product strategy, and digital experience work for enterprises — overlapping with YML's digital product and innovation mandate.

TypeDirect peer
Description

Global design and strategy firm (part of Capgemini Invent) that designs products, services, and digital experiences for enterprise clients — comparable in offering and target market to YML.

TypeDirect peer
Description

Global experience design and engineering agency (now part of GlobalLogic/Hitachi) that partners with enterprise brands on digital products and platforms — directly comparable digital product studio peer to YML.

Market position
Strengths4 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Weaknesses4 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Competitive moat3 records

Each record includes

Type, Details

Key risks6 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Key highlights6 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Customer concentration

Classification, Details

Segment1 record

Each record includes

Title, Type, Primary, Description, Pain point addressed, Use case, Source

Ideal customer profile1 record

Each record includes

Profile, Firmographic size, Sales motion, Sales cycle length, Buying structure, Purchase trigger, Buyer persona, Geography, Industry vertical, Primary use case, Description, Pain points, Evidence proof points, Target buyer

Technology focused
Yes
API detail
Has APIbool
No

Docs URL, Description

AI maturity
App detail

Has app

Core technology
Revenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Number of profiles
Profiles11 records

Each record includes

Name, Designation, Designation category, Overview, Profile commentary, Source

No data
No data
Funding overview

Funding stage, Last funding date, Total funding USD

Funding rounds

Each record includes

Round, Amount USD, Date, Pre money valuation, Total investors, Investors, News

Investors

Each record includes

Name, Type, Date of entry, Rounds participated, Website

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

M&A

Each record includes

Name, Acquisition type, Announced date, Completed date, Status, Website, News

Investment

Each record includes

Name, Round, Announced date, Lead investor, Website, News

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

Y Media Labs

Digital Product Design Servicesyml.co

Y Media Labs is a digital product and innovation agency that designs and develops mobile apps, web platforms, and digital experiences for enterprise and startup clients, and now operates within the Code and Theory Network of Stagwell Group.

What Y Media Labs does

Y Media Labs (YML) is a digital product and innovation agency that designs and develops mobile applications, web platforms, and digital experiences for enterprise and startup clients. The company operates with a balanced mix of creative and engineering talent and focuses on helping clients navigate changing consumer behaviors, emerging technologies, and AI across the full consumer journey. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Redwood City, California, YML employed between 251 and 500 staff as of the latest available data.

In June 2023, YML was acquired by Code and Theory, a technology-first creative agency within Stagwell Group (NASDAQ: STGW), and now operates as part of the Code and Theory Network. The combined network is structured around a 50% creative and 50% engineering talent balance and claims a global footprint with the capability to serve clients across the entire consumer journey. Through this integration, YML gains access to Stagwell's broader portfolio of agencies, enterprise distribution channels, and resources to scale against large consultancies.

The company's business model is services-based: revenue is generated through digital product design, development, and innovation engagements rather than through a licensed product or platform. Pricing and contract structures are not publicly disclosed. The customer base is described as horizontal, targeting large enterprises navigating changing consumer behaviors and emerging technologies, though no specific customer logos, segment splits, or revenue concentration data have been disclosed. Leadership is anchored by founders Sumit Mehra (CTO) and Ashish Toshniwal (CEO), with senior functional leadership across finance, operations, creative, product, engineering, and AI.

Y Media Labs firmographics

Firmographics
Name
Y Media Labs
Website
https://yml.co
Company type
Private
Founded year
2009
Operating status
Acquired
Headcount range
251–500 employees
Short description
Y Media Labs is a digital product and innovation agency that designs and develops mobile apps, web platforms, and digital experiences for enterprise and startup clients, and now operates within the Code and Theory Network of Stagwell Group.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

Y Media Labs industry classification

Industry
Product category
Digital Product Design Services
NAICS
Media Representatives (54184), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518210)
SIC
Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
akta.pro primary industry
Localization Technology & Workflow Services (TMS, CMS, Automation) (MPAAANAI)

Keywords

  • Digital product design
  • Mobile app development
  • Web platform development
  • Innovation consulting
  • Digital experience agency

Where Y Media Labs is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city
Redwood City
HQ country
United States
HQ region
North America

Markets served

Y Media Labs business model

Business model
GTM type
B2B
Offering type
Services
Cost components
Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Y Media Labs product offering

Product offering

Core offering

Y Media Labs is a digital product and innovation agency that designs and develops mobile applications, web platforms, and digital experiences for enterprise and startup clients. Following its June 2023 acquisition by Code and Theory, YML operates within the Code and Theory Network, combining 50% creative and 50% engineering talent to help businesses navigate changing consumer behaviors, emerging technologies, and AI across the consumer journey.

Product overview

Y Media Labs operates as a digital product and innovation agency offering end-to-end design and development services. Following its acquisition by Code and Theory in June 2023, YML now operates as part of the Code and Theory Network, a technology-first creative agency within Stagwell Group. The combined entity leverages 50% creative and 50% engineering staff to help businesses navigate changing consumer behaviors, emerging technologies, and AI integration across the consumer journey.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

  • Digital Product Design and Innovation Services

Companies that use Y Media Labs

Customer profile

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Y Media Labs technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API
No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Y Media Labs partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

  • Code and TheoryflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2023YML has joined Code and Theory as of June 2023. Code and Theory is a technology-first creative agency part of Stagwell Group. The acquisition expands Code and Theory's global capabilities with YML's digital product and innovation expertise. Code and Theory Network balances 50% creative and 50% engineers at scale.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Y Media Labs competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Direct peers

  • Huge: Digital experience agency that designs, builds, and transforms digital products and services for enterprise clients across industries — comparable service offering and enterprise client focus to YML.
  • Work & Co: Digital product agency that designs and engineers digital products (apps, websites, platforms) for major brands such as Google, Facebook, and IKEA — direct competitor to YML in the enterprise product build space.
  • Code and Theory: YML's parent company and the lead brand of the Code and Theory Network; a technology-first creative agency within Stagwell Group offering the same digital product design and engineering services. Now operationally intertwined with YML.
  • R/GA: Long-established digital product and innovation agency known for combining design and engineering to build connected products and brand experiences for global enterprise clients — a close peer to YML's design-plus-engineering model.
  • AKQA: Design and innovation agency within WPP that builds digital products, services, and brand experiences for global brands — directly comparable agency peer to YML within the holding-company agency ecosystem.
  • IDEO: Global design and innovation firm specializing in human-centered design, product strategy, and digital experience work for enterprises — overlapping with YML's digital product and innovation mandate.
  • Frog (Capgemini Invent): Global design and strategy firm (part of Capgemini Invent) that designs products, services, and digital experiences for enterprise clients — comparable in offering and target market to YML.
  • Method (GlobalLogic): Global experience design and engineering agency (now part of GlobalLogic/Hitachi) that partners with enterprise brands on digital products and platforms — directly comparable digital product studio peer to YML.

Emerging players

  • Ustwo: Independent digital product studio known for app design and digital products with a strong design-engineering hybrid model — comparable to YML in craft and approach, though typically smaller and more selective in engagements.

Broad incumbents

  • Globant: Large digital transformation and product engineering services firm that builds digital products and platforms at scale for global enterprises — broader scope and scale than YML but overlapping enterprise digital product offering.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Y Media Labs social profiles

Digital presence

Y Media Labs financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Y Media Labs leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Y Media Labs funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

Y Media Labs M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Y Media Labs

What does Y Media Labs do?

Y Media Labs is a digital product and innovation agency that designs and develops mobile applications, web platforms, and digital experiences for enterprise and startup clients. Following its June 2023 acquisition by Code and Theory, YML operates within the Code and Theory Network, combining 50% creative and 50% engineering talent to help businesses navigate changing consumer behaviors, emerging technologies, and AI across the consumer journey.

Is Y Media Labs a public or private company?

Y Media Labs is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently acquired.

When was Y Media Labs founded?

Y Media Labs was founded in 2009. It employs 251 to 500 people.

Where is Y Media Labs based?

Y Media Labs is headquartered in Redwood City, United States, in the North America region.

Who are Y Media Labs's main competitors?

Direct peers on record are Huge, Work & Co, Code and Theory, R/GA, AKQA, IDEO, Frog (Capgemini Invent) and Method (GlobalLogic). Ustwo is listed as an emerging player. Globant is listed as a broad incumbent.

Does Y Media Labs have an API?

No public API is recorded for Y Media Labs.

What industry is Y Media Labs in?

Y Media Labs's product category is Digital Product Design Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAAANAI, Localization Technology & Workflow Services (TMS, CMS, Automation). Its NAICS code is 54184 and its SIC code is 7370.

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Live signals
Business InsiderI'm a minority tech founder. Making diverse hires isn't enough — here's how companies should also take action to support the wider Black community.A minority tech founder argues that companies must support the Black community beyond diverse hiring, citing Y Media Labs' five-fold increase in Black team members since June 2020. He recommends partnering with nonprofits like Minnesota Legal Services Coalition and setting specific goals, such as increasing legal access by 20%.PR NewswireY Media Labs Announces New Hires and Promotions in Line with Strategic GrowthY Media Labs, a Redwood City-based digital transformation company, announced new hires and promotions in May 2017, including John McCarthy as Senior VP of Strategy and several executive promotions across engineering, program management, mobile services, and creative roles. The company reported strong growth metrics, having expanded to 240 employees across six global offices and achieving 50% revenue growth in 2016 while adding 35 new clients to its roster.Business InsiderThis tech company got a $2.5 million 'grand mansion' in Hawaii for all its employees to use for freeY Media Labs cofounder Sumit Mehra has secured the indefinite rental of a $2.48 million mansion in Hawaii for all 280 employees to use free of charge. The perk, valued at six figures annually, allows staff to book weekly stays with priority given to those with the longest tenure, serving as a non-traditional reward for company loyalty. While US-based employees have immediate access, the company is developing specific benefits for its Indian workforce to address travel difficulties.PR NewswireIntroducing DISKOURSE: The New Social Platform Connecting Trump and Clinton SupportersY Media Labs announced the launch of Diskourse, a new social media platform that connects Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump supporters for civil one-on-one discussions during the 2016 U.S. presidential election. The free iOS app allows users to log in via Facebook or email with only their first name displayed, aiming to foster thoughtful debate across generations including Millennials, GenXers, Baby Boomers, and the Greatest generation. Y Media Labs, a Silicon Valley-based product innovation agency founded in 2009, developed the platform to address political polarization and toxic rhetoric on social media.Business InsiderSteve Jobs Sent This Inspiring Email To A Startup Who Helped Design One Of The First iPad AppsSteve Jobs emailed Y Media Labs CEO Ashish Toshniwal praising a Montessorium iPad app for its clean design. The app, created in 2010, taught children to write letters and was featured in Apple commercials. Jobs advised Toshniwal to keep doing what he was doing despite backlash from Montessori experts.Business InsiderOne Of Silicon Valley’s Top App Designers Tells Us His Secrets To SuccessAshish Toshniwal, CEO of Y Media Labs, discussed app success in an interview, noting his firm's apps have been featured over 700 times in Apple's top slots. He emphasized engagement over downloads, mobile-first strategy, and iOS's higher user willingness to pay. He advised focusing on one or two use cases and making the app's value clear within five to ten seconds.