Inthegame is an Israeli tech company that builds an AI-powered interactive video engagement and monetization platform that overlays no‑code interactive experiences (polls, quizzes, predictions, gamification and shoppable/interactive ad units) on live and VOD broadcasts for broadcasters, streamers, rights‑owners and OTT/CTV apps to increase engagement and create new ad revenue streams.[4][2]
High‑Level Overview
- Mission: Deliver viewer interaction and monetization technology that connects audiences to content through gamified, social and shoppable overlays across screens.[4][3]
- Investment philosophy / Key sectors / Impact (as a company profile): Inthegame operates in video engagement, OTT/CTV monetization, sports and broadcast technology, partnering with broadcasters, brands and streamers to create new interactive revenue channels and raise viewer retention and engagement metrics for rights owners and platforms.[4][3]
- Product & customers: The product is a no‑code, cross‑platform platform for interactive overlays and in‑content ad units (formats like squeeze‑back, pause ads, shoppable and interactive units) that serves broadcasters, streaming platforms, sports rights‑owners, and advertisers.[1][4]
- Problem solved & growth momentum: It solves low engagement and limited monetization options in streaming by enabling real‑time interaction and premium in‑content ad inventory; the company has industry partnerships (e.g., Twitch references, sports events such as World Series of Poker integrations) and participation in accelerators like Techstars, indicating early commercial traction and validation.[3][5]
Origin Story
- Founding & team background: Inthegame was founded in Israel (company info lists founding between 2016–2017) by entrepreneurs including Aviram Sharon (CEO) and Itai Arbel (CTO), who bring prior startup and media/OTT experience (founders with past exits and deep experience in sports and media tech).[1][5][4]
- How the idea emerged & early traction: The company emerged to address a gap in interactive viewing—making broadcasts two‑way and monetizable—and gained early momentum through accelerator support (Techstars) and partnerships with broadcasters and event organizers (examples cited include integrations with PokerGO/World Series of Poker and work around major sports events).[5][3]
Core Differentiators
- Patented interactive overlay technology: Offers a patented, no‑code engine that layers interactive units onto live and on‑demand streams without replacing the video player.[2][4]
- Cross‑platform, quick integration: Provides native libraries and platform‑specific integrations for OTT/CTV apps enabling rapid deployment across devices and players.[1][4]
- Diverse interactive ad formats and monetization toolkit: Supports gamification features (polls, quizzes, predictions), shoppable and pause ads and specialized in‑content units to unlock premium inventory beyond traditional ad breaks.[1][4]
- Broad industry partnerships & event integrations: Demonstrated use with sports and entertainment events and partnerships with broadcasters/streamers, which helps distribution and referenceability.[3][4]
Role in the Broader Tech Landscape
- Trend alignment: Rides the convergence of OTT/CTV growth, audience demand for interactive experiences, and advertiser demand for addressable, premium in‑stream inventory.[4][1]
- Timing: As streaming viewership and CTV ad spend rise, publishers seek new engagement and revenue channels—making interactive overlays a timely solution for differentiation and higher CPM opportunities.[4][2]
- Market forces in favor: Broadcasters and streaming platforms face viewer fragmentation and ad‑tech ROI pressures; interactive layers offer retention, measurable engagement signals and novel ad products that advertisers value.[3][4]
- Ecosystem influence: By enabling two‑way broadcasts without heavy player rewrites, Inthegame can accelerate experimentation in live sports, esports and interactive entertainment, and influence how rights owners and platforms structure sponsorships and ad products.[4][2]
Quick Take & Future Outlook
- Near term: Expect continued focus on scaling commercial partnerships with broadcasters, sports rights holders and CTV platforms, and expanding monetization formats (e.g., shoppable units and programmatic activation).[4][1]
- Medium term trends to watch: Growth will depend on wider CTV ad ecosystem maturity (addressability and measurement), adoption of interactive formats by major platforms, and the company’s ability to prove uplift in retention/ARPU for partners.[2][4]
- How influence may evolve: If Inthegame sustains integrations at marquee live events and demonstrates clear revenue/engagement lift, it can become a standard add‑on for broadcasters and a go‑to for advertisers seeking immersive CTV placements—shifting some ad spend from mid‑roll breaks to interactive in‑content units.[3][4]
Quick factual notes: HQ in Tel Aviv‑Yafo with offices in New York and London; company size ~11–50 employees and participation in Techstars are reported in company profiles.[4][5][2]
