Acast

Acast is a podcasting app and web service that provides free, on-demand audio content, enhanced by additional rich media and links. 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. Available for Android, iOS, and desktop, as of May 2015, the service has 1 million users and 12 million streams per month.

Acast currently hosts 50% of commercial podcasts broadcast in the UK, including content from xfm, Naked Scientists, Spectator, ASOS, and The Guardian. 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.

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.

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.