The Future of Advertising: InMobi’s Success Story and Ongoing Innovations.

InMobi is a global mobile advertising and marketing platform that provides advertising solutions for businesses. It offers a suite of products and services that enable advertisers to reach and engage with their target audience across various mobile platforms and devices.

InMobi operates a mobile ad network that connects advertisers with publishers, allowing them to display ads within mobile apps and websites. They use advanced targeting and audience segmentation techniques to deliver relevant ads to users based on their demographics, interests, and behavior.

In addition to the ad network, InMobi provides other advertising solutions such as in-app ad formats, video advertising, programmatic buying, and native ads. They also offer data and analytics tools to help advertisers measure the effectiveness of their campaigns and optimize their advertising strategies.

Founded in 2007, InMobi has grown to become one of the largest mobile advertising platforms globally. It serves thousands of advertisers and publishers across more than 200 countries. Its headquarters are located in Bangalore, India, with offices in several other countries.

InMobi - Company Highlights

Startup NameInMobi
Formerly CalledmKhoj
HeadquartersBangalore, Karnataka, India
IndustryMobile Advertising
Founded2007
FoundersNaveen Tiwari, Mohit Saxena, Amit Gupta, Abhay Singhal
CEONaveen Tiwari
Area ServedWorldwide
Websitewww.inmobi.com

Table Of Contents

InMobi – Latest News
InMobi – About and How it Works?
InMobi – Latest News
InMobi – Logo and its Meaning
InMobi – Founder and History
InMobi – Mission
InMobi – Business Model
InMobi – Revenue and Growth
InMobi – Funding and Investors
InMobi – Investments
InMobi – Acquisitions
InMobi – Awards and Recognitions
InMobi – Competitors
InMobi – Challenges Faced
InMobi – Future Plans
InMobi – FAQs
InMobi – Conclusion

InMobi - About and How it Works?

InMobi, an Indian company, specializes in mobile advertising services, providing a range of solutions including brand awareness, user acquisition, remarketing, and publisher monetization. Moreover, they offer marketing cloud products such as a customer data platform (CDP), market research platform, and customer experience platform. These tools assist in organizing data, uncovering market and customer insights, and measuring and enhancing customer satisfaction.

InMobi - Logo and its Meaning

The logo of InMobi embodies the continuous delivery of dynamic communications to diverse consumers across global mobile platforms. In the words of an InMobi spokesperson, “After rigorous exploration, design iterations, and revisions, we chose this logo as it genuinely captures the energy and influence of the InMobi mobile ad network.”

InMobi - Founder and History

Founded in 2007 as mKhoj, an SMS-based search engine service, InMobi was established by Naveen Tiwari, Mohit Saxena, Amit Gupta, and Abhay Singhal in Bengaluru. Originally focused on mobile search, the company later rebranded as InMobi to emphasize its shift towards mobile advertising.

Beginning in a residential flat in Bangalore, InMobi rapidly evolved into one of India’s pioneering unicorns. With a strategic pivot towards mobile advertising, the company expanded its operations in emerging markets like Asia and Africa before entering the US market in 2009. The founders recognized the need for a new brand name that could be easily pronounced in English, leading to the transition from mKhoj to InMobi.

Initially concentrating on Asian markets, InMobi attracted $8 million in funding from Sherpalo Ventures and Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers in 2010. This investment instilled confidence in the company, prompting its global marketing efforts. InMobi expanded its reach to the US, Australia, and various European countries. A substantial $200 million funding round from Softbank in the following year fueled rapid scaling in these markets.

Notably, InMobi achieved remarkable success in China after launching there in 2011. It became one of the largest mobile ad networks in the country, serving 30,000 applications and generating 400 million daily impressions. On a global scale, InMobi’s reach extended to 700 million smartphone owners worldwide. Further growth was facilitated through strategic acquisitions, including Metaflow Solutions and Overlay Media, completed between 2011 and 2013.

InMobi - Mission

InMobi’s mission is rooted in their culture, guiding all InMobians to unlock their full potential by fostering a mindset of ambition, tackling complex challenges, and offering growth opportunities. Their overarching goal is to empower consumers and businesses to make intelligent decisions.

InMobi - Business Model

InMobi’s evolution spans from smartphone advertising to becoming a recognized consumer brand. Acknowledging the influence of culture and social dynamics in each region, the company actively supports advertising in diverse markets, grasping the intricacies of each.

Dedicated to empowering customers, InMobi prioritizes providing comprehensive performance data. As a technology-driven company, it strives to develop products that not only collect data from ad clicks but also analyze it, taking a step further in delivering valuable insights.

With a focus on cost efficiency, InMobi embraces a structure that emphasizes automation to minimize expenses. Research and development form a significant cost driver, reflecting the company’s substantial investment in technology. Additionally, sales/marketing and customer support/operations are notable contributors to overall costs.

InMobi - Funding and Investors

InMobi has raised a total of $465.6M in funding over 8 rounds. Their latest funding was raised on December 22, 2020. InMobi’s mobile-first content platform Glance raised $145 million in fresh funding in this round, led by Google

DateRoundAmountLead Investors
December 22, 2020 $145 MillionGoogle
Jan 1, 2019Venture RoundLightbox
Sep 29, 2015Debt Financing$100M
Dec 2, 2014Venture Round$5MSoftBank Capita
Sep 15, 2011Series C$200MSoftBank Capital
Jul 13, 2010Series B$8MKleiner Perkins, Sherpalo Ventures
Jan 1, 2008Series A$7.1M
Jan 1, 2007Angel Round$500K

InMobi - Investments

InMobi has invested in NestAway on Mar 16, 2015. This investment – Seed Round – NestAway – was valued at $1.2M.

InMobi - Acquisitions

InMobi has acquired 9 organizations. Their most recent acquisition was Roposo on Nov 25, 2019. They are further eyeing to acquire Shop101 this year, as per June 2021.

Acquiree NameDateAmountAbout Acquiree
RoposoNov 25, 2019Roposo – TV by the People is a unique social media platform where people express visually with homemade videos and photos
Pinsight MediaOct 17, 2018Pinsight Media are the human element at the convergence of mobile data and technology. Data Fueled Insights Driven. Powered by Sprint
AerServJan 10, 2018$90MAerServ is a free mobile SSP and monetization platform that empowers mobile publishers with a superior technology platform
Overlay MediaJan 9, 2013Overlay Media develops context-aware and location-sensing mobile technologies
MetaflowsAug 1, 2012MetaFlows develops network security technology that finds hidden malware and other network threats that would otherwise go unnoticed
AppbistroJul 13, 2012Appbistro, an application marketplace for the Facebook platform, enables brands and businesses to build out their fan pages effectively
MMTG LabsJul 13, 2012MMTG Labs operates an online marketplace that provides Facebook timeline applications and business tools
Appstores.comJul 9, 2012Appstores.com develops tools that indicate the relevant applications required for catering to users’ needs
SproutAug 2, 2011Sprout provides a platform integrated with mobile ad networks and publishers, enabling professionals to create media HTML5 ads

InMobi - Awards and Recognitions

InMobi has received numerous awards and recognitions for its contributions to the mobile advertising industry. Here are some notable accolades:

  1. GSMA Global Mobile Awards: InMobi was honored with the “Best Mobile Advertising or Marketing” award at the prestigious GSMA Global Mobile Awards, recognizing its excellence in mobile advertising solutions.

  2. Deloitte Technology Fast 500 Asia Pacific: InMobi was consistently ranked in Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500 Asia Pacific list, highlighting its rapid growth and innovation in the technology sector.

  3. MMA Smarties Awards: InMobi has been recognized multiple times at the MMA (Mobile Marketing Association) Smarties Awards, winning accolades for its exceptional mobile marketing campaigns and strategies.

  4. Forbes Asia’s Fab 50: InMobi was featured in Forbes Asia’s Fab 50 list, acknowledging the company’s achievements and its significant impact on the mobile advertising landscape.

  5. Red Herring Global 100: InMobi was named as one of Red Herring’s Global 100, which identifies the most innovative and promising technology companies worldwide.

  6. Adweek’s Hot List: InMobi was listed in Adweek’s Hot List, showcasing the company’s influence and success in the advertising industry.

  7. Mobile Marketing Magazine’s Power 50: InMobi’s leaders have been recognized in Mobile Marketing Magazine’s Power 50 list, highlighting their contributions to shaping the mobile marketing landscape.

These are just a few examples of the numerous awards and recognitions received by InMobi, affirming its position as a leader in the mobile advertising industry.

InMobi - Competitors

InMobi’s top Competitors are :

  • Google Ad Manager.
  • Facebook Audience Network.
  • Unity Ads
  • Google AdMob.
  • Leadbolt.
  • TapJoy.
  • MoPub.
  • Appodeal.

InMobi - Challenges Faced

InMobi has faced several challenges in its journey as a leading mobile advertising company. Here are some notable challenges:

  1. Competition: InMobi operates in a highly competitive market with several global players vying for market share. Competing against well-established companies and emerging startups requires InMobi to continually innovate and differentiate itself to stay ahead.

  2. Ad Blocking: The rise of ad-blocking technology poses a challenge to InMobi and the entire digital advertising industry. Ad-blocking software prevents the display of ads, impacting revenue streams and forcing companies like InMobi to find alternative advertising strategies.

  3. Ad Fraud: Ad fraud is a persistent challenge in the digital advertising ecosystem. Fraudulent activities such as ad impressions generated by bots or fake clicks can affect the effectiveness of ad campaigns and undermine advertisers’ trust. InMobi has invested in fraud detection and prevention technologies to combat this issue.

  4. Privacy and Data Regulations: The evolving landscape of privacy and data regulations poses challenges for InMobi and its ability to collect, use, and store user data. Compliance with regulations like GDPR and CCPA requires continuous adaptation and adherence to strict data protection guidelines.

  5. Mobile Platform Fragmentation: The diversity of mobile devices, operating systems, and screen sizes presents a challenge for delivering consistent and optimized advertising experiences across various platforms. InMobi must ensure compatibility and performance across a wide range of devices and screen resolutions.

  6. Consumer Engagement: Capturing and maintaining user attention in an era of information overload and short attention spans is a challenge for InMobi. The company must continually explore new formats, targeting techniques, and creative strategies to engage users effectively.

By addressing these challenges through innovation, technology advancements, and strategic partnerships, InMobi has been able to navigate the dynamic landscape of the mobile advertising industry and maintain its position as a key player in the market.

InMobi - Future Plans

InMobi has gained widespread recognition and global acceptance despite encountering certain challenges. Currently, the company boasts a user base of nearly 700 million smartphone users worldwide. MIT Technology Review recently bestowed the honor of being one of the world’s top 50 most disruptive companies upon InMobi.

Transitioning from a startup to a multinational corporation, InMobi faced typical challenges that come with rapid growth. The CEO acknowledges the difficulties of managing a global operation with 25 offices while maintaining a unified culture, system, and effective communication. However, InMobi has successfully overcome these obstacles and can proudly claim its status as a global company. In addition to its strong presence in India, InMobi has established offices and operations in numerous countries, including Australia, Taiwan, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Russia, Germany, China, and more. Despite entering the Chinese market relatively recently, in late 2011, InMobi has achieved the status of being “one of the largest mobile ad networks in China,” according to the CEO, Naveen.

InMobi - FAQs

Q1: What does InMobi do?
A1: InMobi is a mobile advertising company that provides innovative solutions for brands, developers, and publishers to reach their target audience through mobile devices. They offer services such as user acquisition, brand awareness, remarketing, and monetization.

Q2: How does InMobi’s mobile advertising work?
A2: InMobi’s mobile advertising works by leveraging data-driven insights and advanced targeting techniques to deliver relevant and personalized ads to mobile users. They utilize their ad-serving algorithm to optimize the ranking and placement of ads on mobile devices, ensuring maximum effectiveness and engagement.

Q3: What sets InMobi apart from other mobile advertising companies?
A3: InMobi differentiates itself through its cutting-edge technology, global reach, and commitment to innovation. They offer comprehensive solutions for mobile advertising, including audience targeting, creative optimization, and performance measurement. InMobi’s focus on data-driven strategies and their ability to adapt to changing market dynamics set them apart in the industry.

Q4: How can I advertise with InMobi?
A4: To advertise with InMobi, you can visit their website and explore their advertising solutions. They provide self-serve platforms and tools for advertisers to create and manage their mobile ad campaigns. Additionally, you can get in touch with their sales team to discuss customized advertising options based on your specific needs.

Q5: Does InMobi support different mobile platforms?
A5: Yes, InMobi supports a wide range of mobile platforms, including iOS, Android, and Windows. Their solutions are designed to deliver ads seamlessly across various devices, ensuring a consistent and optimized experience for mobile users.

Q6: How does InMobi ensure ad relevance and user privacy?
A6: InMobi is committed to respecting user privacy and follows industry best practices and compliance with applicable data protection regulations. They employ advanced targeting techniques that consider user preferences and behaviors while maintaining user anonymity. InMobi is dedicated to providing relevant and engaging ads while safeguarding user privacy.

Q7: Can InMobi help with app monetization?
A7: Yes, InMobi offers monetization solutions for app developers and publishers. They provide various ad formats and placements that can be integrated into mobile apps to generate revenue. InMobi’s technology optimizes ad delivery and maximizes monetization opportunities for app developers.

Q8: Does InMobi offer analytics and reporting for ad campaigns?
A8: Yes, InMobi provides robust analytics and reporting tools to track and measure the performance of ad campaigns. Advertisers can access detailed insights and metrics, including impressions, clicks, conversions, and engagement rates. This data helps optimize campaigns and make informed decisions for better results.

Q9: How can I contact InMobi for support or inquiries?
A9: To contact InMobi for support or inquiries, you can visit their website and access their contact page. They typically provide contact options such as email, phone, or online form to connect with their support team or sales representatives.

Q10: Where is InMobi headquartered?
A10: InMobi is headquartered in Bangalore, India, with a global presence and offices in various countries around the world, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, China, and more.