Unlockd has raised $16.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Unlockd's investors include Infinity Ventures Crypto, ParaFi Capital, Ryan Zurrer.
Unlockd is a mobile-based technology company that operates a platform connecting brands, content, and relevant media to consumers through their mobile devices. Its core product offers consumers discounts on their mobile phone bills, free additional data, or handset payments in exchange for viewing full-screen ads, content, or offers when unlocking their phones. This model creates an "attention-based" virtual currency, enabling a novel value exchange between advertisers and users. Unlockd serves telecommunications companies, advertisers, and mobile consumers, addressing the problem of high mobile costs by subsidizing them through advertising revenue. The company has demonstrated rapid growth, expanding into eight global markets including the US, UK, India, and Australia, and has raised over $46 million in funding since its founding in 2015[1][2].
Founded in 2015 and based in Melbourne, Australia, Unlockd was created to rethink how consumers pay for mobile services by leveraging their attention as currency. The founders, with backgrounds in technology and media, developed the idea to provide consumers with tangible value—such as bill discounts or free data—in exchange for engaging with advertising content. Early traction included partnerships with major telcos and loyalty programs, such as Aircel in India and Flybuys in Australia, which helped validate the platform’s model and accelerate its global expansion. Unlockd’s ability to launch in diverse markets and integrate with OTT streaming services marked pivotal moments in its evolution[1][2].
Unlockd rides the growing trend of *attention economy* and *ad-funded digital services*, where consumer engagement is monetized to subsidize service costs. The timing is favorable due to increasing mobile data consumption, rising telecom costs, and advertiser demand for targeted, measurable engagement. Unlockd’s platform aligns with shifts toward personalized advertising and digital currency models, influencing how telecom operators and advertisers approach customer acquisition and retention. By creating a large-scale ad-driven virtual currency, Unlockd contributes to evolving digital advertising ecosystems and consumer reward mechanisms[1].
Looking ahead, Unlockd is positioned to deepen its impact by expanding its virtual currency model into new industries and markets, potentially broadening beyond telecom to other digital services. Trends such as increased mobile usage, demand for cost-saving solutions, and the maturation of attention-based monetization will likely shape its trajectory. The company’s global footprint and innovative platform could enable it to become a key player in the convergence of telecommunications, advertising, and digital rewards, potentially returning significant value to its user community as it scales further[1].
Unlockd has raised $16.0M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $12.0M Series A in April 2016.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 1, 2016 | $12.0M Series A | ||
| Apr 1, 2015 | $4.0M Seed | Infinity Ventures Crypto, ParaFi Capital, Ryan Zurrer |
