40. Grabyo

Founder: Will Neale
Founded: March 2012 (launched September 2013)
Website: http://about.grabyo.com

Angel investor and entrepreneur Will Neale is no stranger to business success, having previously launched mobile payments and Sunday Times Tech Track 100 listed-business Fonix back in 2006. And it was while working in the digital media industry that the idea for Neale’s latest venture began to form.

After recognising that social TV apps were failing because they were trying to move consumers away from social media, Neale realised that a better way to drive engagement would be to let broadcasters share TV clips instantly on Facebook and Twitter.

Launched in September 2013, Grabyo does just that. The real-time video sharing platform allows broadcasters to instantly share TV clips with integrated sponsorship and advertising assets. Brands pay a fee to sponsor the shared clips, which in addition provide opportunities for commercialisation.

Less than two years after launch Grabyo has already secured partnerships with Facebook and Twitter and counts ITV, Sky, Wimbledon, Ryder Cup and the Brit Awards as customers. As a relatively new concept, the challenge the company faces is educating its market, but this has the added advantage of there being no direct competitors. With $2m investment and the backing of big names in the sports world including Thierry Henry and Robin Van Persie, the platform sees opening a US office as its priority for the next year.