Experian acquires Audigent, adtech giant backed early by Philly orgs, for reported $200M+

A major consumer credit reporting company has scooped up a local adtech company. 

Global data analytics company Experian acquired Audigent, which curates data for advertisers. The company’s founding has ties to Philly along with Ben Franklin Technology Partners as a consistent investor.

Plus, the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority awarded $1.5 million to statewide investment firms for early-stage tech companies and the Wistar Institute received a grant to launch a training program for undergraduate students. 

Get all the details on the latest Money Moves below the chart, where we look at the top 10 companies hiring for tech jobs in the Philadelphia market and how that’s changed since September.

Audigent acquired by data analytics company Experian

Global data analytics company Experian acquired advertising tech company Audigent. The companies have worked together for the last three years as partners, before formally coming together. 

Experian declined to share the terms of the deal, however, Audigent sources say the valuation was between $200 million and $250 million, per Digiday. 

“For the past eight years, our mission has been to build innovative data products that empower brands, media agencies and publishing partners — all while prioritizing consumer privacy,” an Audigent spokesperson told Technical.ly. “We believe, with Experian, our ability to continue to lead our industry forward with transformational products will only be accelerated.”  

The company’s platform curates data for advertisers to design digital marketing campaigns. Experian expressed an interest in Audigent’s abilities to target the right audience and contribute to audience addressability. 

Despite Audigent being headquartered in New York, the company’s roots are in Philly, cofounder Jon Gosier told Technical.ly. Gosier moved to Philly in 2011 and eventually helped start Audigent out of a Philly coworking space in 2014.

Ben Franklin Technology Partners was an early investor in the company. It also contributed $2 million through its GO PA Fund earlier this year and invested in Audigent in 2021 alongside EPAM Systems through its Go Philly Fund, leading its $19 million Series B. 

After getting early support from Ben Franklin Technology Partners, the founders opened an office in Center City. Gosier, who is now based in Atlanta, left the city to pursue other projects, but he says the venture capital market in Philly was tough.

“Audigent is only now HQed out of New York because, other than [Ben Franklin], every single major investor in Philly at the time passed on us,” Gosier said. “Investors mostly out of New York bet on us big and the company migrated there. I hope this is a good example that encourages more to invest in Philly's local entrepreneurs.”

Statewide funds received $1.5M to invest in early-stage tech 

The Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority, an initiative of Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), awarded $1.5 million to two venture capital firms that support early-stage tech companies in the state. 

Rittenhouse Venture III, a fund managed by local investment firms Rittenhouse Ventures and Robin Hood Ventures, received $500,000 in total. The fund focuses on healthcare, pharmaceutical, financial services and human resources tech companies. 

The Keystone Innovation Fund II received $1 million and will focus on making investments in early-stage tech companies in central Pennsylvania. 

“Venture capital firms that finance startup companies in the commonwealth create opportunities for growth, innovation, and jobs in our communities,” said DCED Secretary Rick Siger. “Our investments in high-growth, innovative industries and firms are helping position Pennsylvania to be an economic powerhouse.” 

Wistar Institute wins $100,000 grant for training program

The Wistar Institute’s Education and Training Center received $100,000 from the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing and Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL) to host a training program next summer for undergraduate students. 

“This latest program is designed to provide motivated students an opportunity to not only engage in hands-on science but also gain a deeper understanding into how research discoveries are translated into new therapies,” said Kristy Shuda McGuire, dean of biomedical studies at Wistar. 

As a part of the partnership, Wistar will host NIIMBL’s eXperience program in June 2025. The weeklong immersive training program provides real-world experience for college students interested in the biopharmaceutical industry

The program will cover lab techniques as well as the process of putting together and running a biotech company. Students will also receive professional development training and opportunities to network with industry professionals. 

More money moves: 

• CallSine, an AI-based email outreach system, raised $1 million in seed funding. The money will go toward improving the company’s platform. 
• Tech workforce development nonprofit Hopeworks received a $660,000 grant from the Haines Family Foundation to establish a medical scholarship fund. The fund will support young adults completing EMT certification programs. 
• The Welcoming Center, which supports immigrants in Philadelphia, received a $30,000 grant from Comcast to support the nonprofit’s digital equity programs. The telecommunications giant also donated 100 laptops to be distributed to Welcome Center participants. 
• Identity security company Liife raised a $500,000 pre-seed round. Its platform uses blockchain and AI to secure healthcare benefits records. 
• Electric vehicle charging startup ConnectDER raised a $35 million Series D, reported the Philadelphia Business Journal. 
• Vitara Biomedical raised $50 million. The funding will go toward the company’s work developing a life support system for premature babies.