Acast
Acast is a Swedish-founded podcast hosting, distribution, advertising, and monetisation technology company.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Acast is a Swedish-founded podcast technology and advertising company serving podcast creators, publishers, advertisers, media agencies, and listeners. Its business combines podcast hosting and distribution with tools for monetising audio content through advertising. Rather than operating only as a listening application, Acast provides infrastructure that enables podcasts to be published across listening services, managed by their owners, and connected with commercial demand from brands. The company was founded by Karl Rosander and Måns Ulvestam, with Johan Billgren also identified as a co-founder. The business launched in 2014 after being established in Sweden and developed around the idea that podcasting could support an open distribution model. Podcasts hosted by Acast are intended to remain available through multiple listening applications rather than being restricted to a single proprietary player. This platform-independent approach has been a recurring part of Acast’s identity. A central part of Acast’s technology is dynamic advertising insertion. The system allows advertisements to be placed into podcast episodes and targeted according to factors such as geography, timing, and audience characteristics. This enables publishers and creators to update advertising inventory after an episode has been released and gives advertisers a way to purchase podcast audiences across shows, markets, and formats. Acast’s marketplace model connects podcast advertising supply with the requirements of brands and agencies, while its publisher tools support distribution, measurement, and revenue generation. Acast’s network has included independent programmes as well as podcasts from major publishers. Examples associated with the platform include The Adam Buxton Podcast, My Dad Wrote A Porno, The Football Ramble, The Magnus Archives, Toni and Ryan, The Guardian, The Economist, The Athletic, The Times, and the Financial Times. The company has also operated or acquired services intended to broaden the podcast ecosystem, including the hosting platform Pippa, the podcast discovery and listening service RadioPublic, and the podcast database Podchaser. Acast expanded through external investment and acquisitions during the late 2010s and early 2020s. It introduced a paid subscription product, Acast+, in 2016, added a free hosting tier in 2019, and acquired Pippa in the same year. In 2021 it announced the acquisition of RadioPublic and became a publicly traded company on Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market in Stockholm. In 2022 it announced the discontinuation of its podcast client application, citing the reduced strategic importance of owning a listening app and its preference for an independent distribution ecosystem. It subsequently acquired Podchaser and entered an advertising partnership with Amazon Music. The company’s current positioning sits at the intersection of podcast infrastructure, digital publishing, advertising technology, and creative media services. Acast operates internationally, with a physical presence in multiple countries, while maintaining its headquarters in Stockholm. Its principal proposition is to help creators and publishers reach audiences across open podcast channels and to make that reach commercially valuable through advertising, subscriptions, analytics, and related services.
History
Acast was established in Sweden in 2013 by Karl Rosander and Måns Ulvestam, with Johan Billgren also associated with the founding team. The service launched in 2014 with a focus on podcast hosting, distribution, and advertising-based monetisation. Early recognition included being named Start-up of the Year by IDG magazine and Internetworld, as well as receiving a Most Innovative Media Service award at Sweden’s Mobilgalan during its first year of operation. The company’s early development was supported by strategic and financial investors. In 2015, Acast completed a Series A financing round led by Bonnier Growth Media and received additional investment from venture capital firm MOOR. In 2016, it expanded beyond advertising-led services by launching Acast+, a paid subscription product for podcast content. Acast later introduced a free hosting tier, making its infrastructure available to a broader range of podcast creators. Acast continued to raise capital as podcast advertising became a more established part of digital media. In December 2018, it raised a reported $35 million from AP1 and Swedbank Robur funds, bringing reported cumulative funding above $67 million. In 2019, the European Investment Bank invested €25 million in the company. That year Acast also acquired Pippa, another podcast hosting platform, strengthening its position in creator and publisher infrastructure. The company’s expansion became increasingly international during the early 2020s. In early 2021, Acast announced the acquisition of RadioPublic, a Boston-based podcast service founded by PRX. Acast also moved into the public markets in June 2021, listing on Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market in Stockholm at a reported valuation of approximately SEK 7 billion. The founders Karl Rosander and Måns Ulvestam sold their remaining Acast shares earlier in 2021 in connection with funding their subsequent venture, Sesamy. In March 2022, Acast announced that it would discontinue its podcast client application. The company said that owning a listening app had become less important as a source of user data and that it preferred to support an open, platform-independent podcast ecosystem. Later in 2022, Acast agreed to acquire Podchaser for a reported $27 million. Podchaser provided a platform-agnostic database of podcasts and user reviews, adding discovery and metadata capabilities to Acast’s broader technology offering. Acast was also ranked second in Podtrac’s US podcast advertising-sales-network ranking in August 2022. Acast entered a partnership with Amazon in November 2022 under which Amazon Music purchased advertising space across thousands of Acast podcasts. The arrangement allowed Amazon Music customers to listen to participating programmes without advertisements while giving Acast publishers access to a large commercial buyer of podcast inventory. In 2024, RadioPublic announced the permanent closure of its app. After the closure, RadioPublic programme links redirected to corresponding shows on Podchaser. In December 2024, Acast acquired creative production house Wonder Media Network, broadening its activities beyond hosting and advertising infrastructure into content production. A later announcement in December 2025 described Acast’s acquisition of Wake Word Studios, a Munich- and Berlin-based audio and video studio and podcast producer. The transaction was described as expanding Acast’s German operations, with Wake Word Studios becoming Acast Creative Studios and its Podius planning platform continuing independently. Across its development, Acast has maintained an emphasis on open podcast distribution. Its technology supports dynamic ad insertion, allowing advertising to be selected and inserted according to factors such as location, time, and audience information. This approach enables creators and publishers to update advertising inventory and gives advertisers access to targeted podcast campaigns across multiple shows and markets. Acast therefore operates as a combination of hosting provider, podcast network, advertising marketplace, publisher technology supplier, and creative media company.
- 2025
Wake Word Studios acquisition announced
[1]Acast announces the acquisition of Wake Word Studios and its podcast catalogue, with the business becoming Acast Creative Studios and Podius continuing independently.
- 2024
RadioPublic app closes
[1]RadioPublic announces the permanent closure of its app, with programme links later redirecting to Podchaser.
- 2024
Wonder Media Network acquisition
[1]Acast acquires creative production house Wonder Media Network.
- 2022
Podcast client app discontinued
[1]Acast announces the discontinuation of its podcast client app in favour of a more platform-independent distribution strategy.
- 2022
Podchaser acquisition announced
[1]Acast agrees to acquire Podchaser, a podcast database and review platform, for a reported $27 million.
- 2022
Amazon Music advertising partnership
[1]Acast enters an agreement under which Amazon Music purchases advertising inventory across thousands of Acast podcasts.
- 2021
RadioPublic acquisition announced
[1]Acast announces the acquisition of RadioPublic, a Boston-based podcast service founded by PRX.
- 2021
Nasdaq Stockholm listing
[1]Acast lists on Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market in Stockholm at a reported valuation of approximately SEK 7 billion.
- 2019
Pippa acquisition and free hosting
[1]Acast acquires podcast hosting platform Pippa and begins offering a free podcast hosting tier.
- 2019
European Investment Bank investment
[1]The European Investment Bank invests a reported €25 million in Acast.
Products and positioning
An international, platform-independent podcast technology and monetisation company connecting creators and publishers with audiences, advertisers, and media agencies.
Podcast hosting and distribution · 2014
Acast podcast hosting and distribution platform
Acast’s core infrastructure allows creators and publishers to upload, manage, publish, and distribute podcast programmes across multiple listening applications. The service is designed around an open ecosystem rather than requiring audiences to use a proprietary Acast player. Hosting is connected to publishing, audience reach, and commercialisation tools, allowing podcast owners to manage content while making episodes available to external platforms and advertising markets.
Podcast advertising
Acast Marketplace
Acast Marketplace connects podcast advertising inventory with advertisers and media agencies. It supports campaigns across shows and geographic markets, using Acast’s advertising technology to help define audiences, place messages, and commercialise podcast listening. The marketplace is central to Acast’s role as an intermediary between publishers seeking revenue and brands seeking targeted access to podcast audiences.
Advertising technology
Dynamic ad insertion
Acast’s dynamic insertion technology enables advertisements to be selected and inserted into podcast episodes according to campaign and audience parameters. The approach can use information such as location, timing, and personal or audience data, allowing advertising to be refreshed after publication and targeted to defined listener groups. It helps separate the durable podcast content from changeable commercial inventory.
Podcast subscriptions · 2016
Acast+
Acast+ was a paid subscription service introduced in 2016. It represented an expansion beyond advertising-only monetisation by giving podcast publishers a mechanism for offering paid content or subscriber benefits. Available details in the supplied reference material do not establish the product’s current operating scope.
Podcast hosting
Pippa
Pippa was a podcast hosting platform acquired by Acast in 2019. Its addition strengthened Acast’s creator-facing hosting and publishing capabilities and contributed to the company’s broader infrastructure offering for podcast producers.
Podcast discovery and listening
RadioPublic
RadioPublic was a Boston-based podcast service founded by PRX and acquired by Acast in 2021. It operated as a podcast discovery and listening product. RadioPublic later announced that its application would close permanently in March 2024, after which programme links redirected users to corresponding shows on Podchaser.
Podcast database and discovery
Podchaser
Podchaser is a platform-agnostic podcast database featuring programme information and user reviews. Acast agreed to acquire it in 2022, adding structured podcast discovery, metadata, and community review functionality to its hosting, distribution, and advertising activities.
Creative audio and video production · 2025
Acast Creative Studios
Acast Creative Studios is the name assigned to Wake Word Studios following the announced acquisition described in 2025. The Munich- and Berlin-based operation produces audio and video, including podcasts, and expands Acast’s presence in German creative media services. The associated Podius media-planning platform was described as continuing independently.
Marketing campaigns
- 2022Amazon Music advertising partnership
International
Acast partnered with Amazon Music in an arrangement covering advertising inventory across thousands of Acast podcasts. Amazon Music purchased the advertising space, and customers using the relevant Amazon service could listen to participating shows without advertisements.
Outcome. Expanded Acast’s access to a major advertising buyer and created an ad-free listening proposition for participating Amazon Music customers.
Brand decisions
2022
Discontinuation of the Acast podcast client appStrategyBackground
Acast concluded that its own listening application had become less important as a source of user data and that its strategic emphasis should remain on an open podcast ecosystem.
Action taken
The company announced that it would discontinue its podcast client application and rely on distribution through independent listening platforms.
Aftermath
The decision reinforced Acast’s platform-independent positioning and reduced its direct role as a consumer listening-app operator.
2022
Agreement to acquire PodchaserM&ABackground
Acast pursued additional podcast discovery, metadata, and review capabilities to complement its publishing and advertising infrastructure.
Action taken
Acast agreed to acquire Podchaser, a platform-agnostic podcast database with user reviews.
Aftermath
Podchaser added discovery and structured podcast information to Acast’s wider technology and media ecosystem.
Reported acquisition price. $27 million (2022)
2016
Launch of Acast+Product launchBackground
Acast sought to complement advertising-based podcast monetisation with a paid subscription model.
Action taken
The company launched Acast+, a paid podcast subscription service.
Aftermath
The launch broadened Acast’s stated monetisation model beyond advertising, although the supplied sources do not establish the product’s later scale or current availability.
Recent events
- 2025
Acast acquires Wake Word Studios[1]
M&A
Acast announced the acquisition of Munich- and Berlin-based creative audio and video studio and podcast producer Wake Word Studios. Following completion, the business was described as becoming Acast Creative Studios, while its Podius media-planning platform continued to operate independently.
- 2024
RadioPublic announces closure of its app[1]
Other
RadioPublic announced that its app would permanently close at the end of March, with show links subsequently directing users to corresponding programmes on Podchaser.
- 2024
Acast acquires Wonder Media Network[1]
M&A
Acast acquired creative production company Wonder Media Network, expanding its creative production capabilities.
- 2022
Acast discontinues its podcast client application[1]
Other
Acast announced that it would stop operating its podcast client app, citing the declining strategic value of owning a listening application and its preference for platform-independent distribution.
- 2022
Acast agrees to acquire Podchaser[1]
M&A
Acast announced an agreement to acquire Podchaser, a podcast database and discovery platform featuring user reviews.
- 2022
Acast enters advertising partnership with Amazon Music[1]
Campaign · Other
Under the agreement, Amazon Music purchased advertising inventory across thousands of Acast podcasts, enabling Amazon customers to hear participating shows without advertisements.
- 2021
Acast announces acquisition of RadioPublic[1]
M&A
Acast announced the acquisition of Boston-based podcast service RadioPublic, founded by public-radio organisation PRX.
- 2021
Acast lists on Nasdaq Stockholm[1]
Other
Acast became a publicly traded company on Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market in Stockholm.
- 2019
Acast acquires podcast hosting platform Pippa[1]
M&A
Acast acquired Pippa, expanding its podcast hosting capabilities.
- 2016
Acast launches a paid podcast subscription service[1]
Product launch
Acast introduced Acast+, a paid subscription offering for podcast content.
Sources15 sources
- 1Acasten.wikipedia.org
- 2Acast Acquires Backyard Ventures Accelerating Omnichannel Monetization for Podcasters | Company Announcement | Investegateinvestegate.co.uk
- 3Acast acquires podcasting startup RadioPublic | TechCrunchtechcrunch.com
- 4Acast acquires RadioPublic to become the biggest podcasting company in the UStheverge.com
- 5Acast announces partnership with Crooked Mediamumbrella.com.au
- 6Acast Appoints Jennifer Dollard as Irish Content Directoradworld.ie
- 7Acast launches Acast+ offering hosted clients subscription tools for podcasts - RAIN Newsrainnews.com
- 8Acast launches podcast subscription toolsmumbrella.com.au
- 9Acast partners with JioSaavn to expand its podcast network to South Asiathehindubusinessline.com
- 10Acast partners with JioSaavn to expand podcast network to South Asiaindiantelevision.com
- 11Acast partners with JioSaavn, one of India's largest streaming audio servicesfinance.yahoo.com
- 12Acast partners with JioSaavn, one of India's largest streaming audio services | TechCrunchtechcrunch.com
- 13Daily Mail Australia launches its first podcast in partnership with Acastmumbrella.com.au
- 14Mecca cosmetics partners with Acast for new branded podcastmumbrella.com.au
- 15Nova ends podcast partnership with Acastmumbrella.com.au
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