Total amount raised
$1 Billions
Latest funding date
02/01/2025
Location
Outbrain has successfully raised significant funding over multiple rounds, attracting a diverse group of investors including The Baupost Group and Susquehanna Growth Equity. The platform leverages AI prediction technology to connect businesses with engaged audiences, driving better marketing and publisher results.
Keep reading to explore the intricacies of Outbrain's fundraising journey and the investors backing this innovative platform.
What Is Outbrain?
Outbrain, founded in 2006 by Ori Lahav and Yaron Galai, is a media company based in New York, New York. The company specializes in predictive advertising technology, connecting businesses with engaged audiences through AI-driven insights.
Outbrain's platform helps advertisers optimize attention and drive performance by predicting consumer interest and intent. They offer various ad formats and tools for both advertisers and publishers to maximize engagement and revenue.
With a workforce of 501-1000 employees, Outbrain continues to innovate in the advertising space, leveraging technology to deliver better marketing and publisher results.
How Much Funding Has Outbrain Raised?
- Seed Round
- Amount Raised: $1M
- Date: January 2007
- Lead Investors: GlenRock Israel
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To kickstart the company's operations and develop its initial product offerings.
- Series A
- Amount Raised: $5M
- Date: February 2008
- Lead Investors: Gemini Israel Ventures, Lightspeed Venture Partners
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To expand the team and scale the platform's capabilities.
- Series B
- Amount Raised: $12M
- Date: February 2009
- Lead Investors: Viola Ventures
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To enhance technology and increase market reach.
- Series C
- Amount Raised: $11M
- Date: February 2011
- Lead Investors: Viola Ventures
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To further develop predictive advertising technology.
- Series D
- Amount Raised: $35M
- Date: December 2011
- Lead Investors: Index Ventures
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To expand global operations and increase market penetration.
- Series E
- Amount Raised: $35M
- Date: October 2013
- Lead Investors: HarbourVest Partners
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To accelerate growth and invest in new product development.
- Private Equity Round
- Amount Raised: $50M
- Date: July 2015
- Lead Investors: Susquehanna Growth Equity
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To support strategic acquisitions and further technology advancements.
- Private Equity Round
- Amount Raised: $45M
- Date: May 2016
- Lead Investors: Not publicly disclosed
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To continue scaling operations and enhance platform features.
- Private Equity Round
- Amount Raised: $200M
- Date: July 2021
- Lead Investors: The Baupost Group
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To expand market presence and invest in AI-driven insights.
- Post-IPO Debt
- Amount Raised: $637.5M
- Date: February 2025
- Lead Investors: Not publicly disclosed
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To repay and cancel the indebtedness under the senior secured bridge facility used to finance the acquisition of Teads.
Outbrain has raised a total of $1.0315 billion. The current valuation is Not publicly disclosed.
Key Investors
- The Baupost Group
- Details: The Baupost Group is a private investment partnership firm known for its value investing approach. Founded in 1982, it manages billions in assets and has a reputation for long-term, strategic investments.
- Investment Focus Areas: Value investing, technology, healthcare, real estate.
- Notable Investments: Cheniere Energy, Micron Technology, ViaSat.
- Susquehanna Growth Equity
- Details: Susquehanna Growth Equity is a private equity and venture capital firm. It focuses on growth-stage investments and has a strong track record in the technology sector.
- Investment Focus Areas: Software, information services, internet, financial technology.
- Notable Investments: Credit Karma, Payoneer, iCIMS.
- Index Ventures
- Details: Index Ventures is a global venture capital firm that invests in technology-enabled companies. Founded in 1996, it has offices in London, San Francisco, and Geneva.
- Investment Focus Areas: Technology, e-commerce, fintech, healthcare.
- Notable Investments: Dropbox, Etsy, Robinhood.
- Viola Ventures
- Details: Viola Ventures is an Israeli venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology companies. It is part of the Viola Group, which manages over $3 billion in assets.
- Investment Focus Areas: Enterprise software, fintech, cybersecurity, digital health.
- Notable Investments: Payoneer, ironSource, Outbrain.
- HarbourVest Partners
- Details: HarbourVest Partners is a global private markets investment firm. It provides solutions to institutional investors worldwide and has been active since 1982.
- Investment Focus Areas: Private equity, venture capital, real assets, credit.
- Notable Investments: Alibaba Group, Facebook, Uber.
What's Next for Outbrain?
Outbrain's merger with Teads opens up vast opportunities, leveraging their combined omnichannel outcomes platform to drive full-funnel results for marketers. With partnerships spanning over 10,000 publishers and 20,000 advertisers globally, the potential for growth is immense.
Future fundraising looks promising, as evidenced by the successful $637.5 million senior secured notes offering. This financial strength positions Outbrain to explore further acquisitions and technological advancements, ensuring sustained growth.
However, challenges such as post-merger integration, competitive pressures, and regulatory hurdles could pose obstacles. Navigating these effectively will be crucial for Outbrain's continued success in the dynamic digital advertising landscape.
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