Acast
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Acast is a podcasting app and web service that provides free, on-demand audio content, enhanced by additional rich media and links.[1] Headquartered in Stockholm and founded by Karl Rosander and Måns Ulvestam, Acast first launched in Sweden in April 2014, and opened a London office in October 2014.[2] Available for Android, iOS, and desktop, as of May 2015, the service has 1 million users and 12 million streams per month.[3]
Acast currently hosts 50% of commercial podcasts broadcast in the UK, including content from xfm, Naked Scientists, Spectator, ASOS, and The Guardian. [4] The platform enables producers to host podcasts for free and monetise them via its ad-supported platform. Clean advert breaks can be inserted to ensure the flow of an episode is not disrupted.[5]
In May 2015, Acast closed a $5m Series A funding round, led by Bonnier Growth Media. This was supplemented by an undisclosed follow-on investment from early-stage VC firm MOOR, which is owned by serial entrepreneur Kaj Hed, majority owner of Rovio Entertainment, creators of Angry Birds.[6]
In 2014, just four months after launch, Acast was named Start-up of the Year by IDG magazine, Internetworld, and ‘Most innovative media service’ at leading mobile industry awards Mobilgalan.[7]
References
- ^ Financial Times, May 2015 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d8ff920a-c38b-11e4-9c27-00144feab7de.html#axzz3cPkTPKGR
- ^ Telegraph, April 2015 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/11513025/How-Serial-shook-up-the-podcasting-industry.html
- ^ Reuters, May 2015 http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/05/18/us-acast-funding-idUSKBN0O314O20150518
- ^ CityAM, May 2015 http://www.cityam.com/215887/acast-gets-3m-backing-bonnier-media
- ^ The Independent, May 2015 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/podcast-boom-in-serials-wake-sees-acast-record-5m-funding-10257029.html
- ^ The Independent, May 2015 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/podcast-boom-in-serials-wake-sees-acast-record-5m-funding-10257029.html
- ^ The Good Web Guide, January 2015 http://www.thegoodwebguide.co.uk/interview/acast-startupsalon/17517
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