Jelli provides a programmatic ad platform that digitizes how radio broadcasters fill airtime, described as an "AdWords for audio". Its core product enables programmatic audio ad buying across broadcast radio and is being positioned to extend to streamed music and other audio services. The company is working with iHeartRadio (the article notes the company owns 858 radio stations) to build an ad-buying platform for those properties, and Katz Media Group will use Jelli to power Expressway, a programmatic exchange for multiple broadcast radio owners. Jelli raised a $21M Series B to grow the business and expand beyond radio into digital music streaming opportunities. The article cites the broader audio-ad market as a $17.5 billion U.S. business in 2014, underlining the size of the opportunity. The company has raised $37.6 million to date. Jelli is a crowdsourced social radio platform that enables listeners to vote tracks up or down to collaboratively program stations. Launched in 2009, the service delivers user-curated music in apps and through partnerships with terrestrial radio affiliates, now spanning 70 stations across U.S. markets. The application is available on desktop/web, iPhone, and Android, with Android accounting for roughly 50% of usage, iPhone 30%, and web/desktop 20%. The company reported a 250% user-base increase to reach 2 million listeners per month and said it is running about 60 million terrestrial radio spot impressions per month—up 500% year over year. Many partner stations have seen increases in ratings, revenue, online traffic, and Facebook Page likes after adopting the service. Jelli plans to continue product development—particularly its Ad Platform focused on engagement, targeting, and analytics—while hiring sales and marketing staff and preparing to expand internationally. Jelli operates a web-based, user-controlled radio platform that enables listeners to vote songs up or down and dynamically determine what plays on air. The company launched in 2009 and has built support from local radio communities, signing significant syndication deals. In March 2010 Jelli partnered with Triton Media to expand its service across the U.S., including Boston and Philadelphia. Today the service is live in 17 markets across the U.S. and Australia. Jelli closed a Series A to fund market expansion, new product development and team growth. The company is based in San Mateo, CA.

Total raised

$37M

Funding rounds

3

Latest round

Series B

Latest activity

Jun 2015