The founder of a mobile advertising platform has won the latest TechBlast Star of the Week award.
Stephen Upstone is CEO at LoopMe, which this week was valued at almost £150 million in a private equity takeover.
The firm has applied artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies into the mobile advertising sector to optimise media campaign delivery in real-time.
Its services are currently available across mobile, connected TV, digital audio, digital out-of-home and other emerging digital advertising channels.
Founded in 2012, the firm has achieved revenue growth of around 50% a year over the past three years, with the majority of revenues now coming from the United States.
Upstone said: “It’s a lovely surprise to receive this award, and I accept it on behalf of the whole LoopMe team.
“We’ve experienced phenomenal growth as a company and now, as we enter our 10th year, we’re poised for even greater success, with the investment from Mayfair Equity Partners set to help us expand even further.
“As data regulation and usage continues to be scrutinised within the tech industry, we look forward to continuing to drive measurable uplift for brands in a privacy compliant way – across mobile, CTV, audio, OOH, and other emerging digital advertising channels.”
Recent initiatives at the company include LoopWe, designed to support women in the AdTech industry, as well as events organised to support the LGBTQ+ community in the UK.
Mayfair Equity Partners has invested £87m for a majority stake to accelerate international growth at the London business, which estimates gross revenues of nearly $100 million for 2021.
Clients include dentsu, Publicis, WPP, Omnicom, Pepsi, Microsoft, Sony Pictures, Hyundai/Kia and WarnerMedia.
TechBlast editor Jonathan Symcox said: “With a development and data science team which numbers in the hundreds, LoopMe is leading the way in the application of AI into mobile advertising.
“The private equity deal is just the latest step in its growth story as it turns 10 this year.”
TechBlast’s Star of the Week is a new initiative for 2022. Every Friday, it will be given to the entrepreneur or entrepreneurs who have most impressed TechBlast in the previous seven days.
TechBlast will publish the full list of 50 names at the end of the year.
Key criteria that the judges are looking for include growth, overcoming adversity and authenticity.
To be considered for the Star of the Week award, entrepreneurs must be prepared to be interviewed by TechBlast. To nominate someone email [email protected].
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