
ZEFR is a contextual intelligence and brand safety technology company that helps advertisers measure and target brand-suitable content across YouTube, TikTok, Meta, and other social video and CTV platforms. Founded in 2009 by Zach James and Rich Raddon in Venice, California, the company originally built rights management and YouTube channel management tools (RightsID, ChannelID) before pivoting fully to contextual brand suitability after selling those businesses to Vobile for $90 million in 2019. ZEFR's platform uses AI-driven video analysis aligned with GARM (Global Alliance for Responsible Media) standards to give brands granular control over the content adjacent to their ads. The company is an official measurement partner for TikTok and expanded in 2025 with pre-screen brand safety for Google's Search Partner Network and TikTok Exclusion Lists.
Company data and valuation marks are estimates and may be incomplete, stale, erroneous, or revised.
Founded
2009
Employees
240–265
Total Funding
$64.41M
5 rounds
Total raised $64.41M across 5 rounds
Funding data and valuation marks are estimates and may be incomplete, stale, erroneous, or revised.
Last updated 06-25-2026
Latest Round
Type
Series C
Date
2012
Amount
$18.5M
Valuation
$0.09B
Lead Investors
| Date | Round | Amount Raised | Valuation | Lead Investors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 15, 2020 | Debt Financing | $5M | — | |
| February 26, 2014 | Series D | $30M | — | Institutional Venture Partners (IVP) |
| 2012 | Series C | $18.5M | $0.09B | U.S. Venture Partners |
Zach James
Co-Founder & Co-CEO
Richard Raddon
Co-Founder & Co-CEO
Oded Noy
Chief Technology Officer
Jason Kirk
Chief Business Officer
Jen Robinson
EVP, Product & Technology
Ben Smith
SVP Finance
Competitor list is illustrative and may be incomplete, stale, or erroneous.
DoubleVerify
Publicly traded (NYSE: DV) digital media measurement and brand safety platform; broader scope across display, video, CTV with established verification leadership.
Integral Ad Science
Publicly traded (Nasdaq: IAS) ad verification and brand safety competitor offering contextual targeting and viewability measurement across digital channels.
Pixability
Contextual advertising and YouTube/CTV optimization platform; direct competitor in YouTube brand-suitable targeting.
Channel Factory
Contextual brand-suitability and YouTube media activation platform competing directly with ZEFR's core offering.
GumGum
Contextual advertising platform using computer vision and NLP for brand-safe ad placement across video and display inventory.
Oracle Moat / Oracle Advertising
Legacy ad verification and brand safety vendor (Oracle wound down its Advertising business in 2024), historically a major incumbent against which advertisers are now weighing challengers like ZEFR.
No. ZEFR is a private company and does not have a public stock ticker or trade on a public stock exchange. Its shares are generally held by founders, employees, investors, and other private shareholders. Buyers and sellers may be able to transact in ZEFR shares through private secondary transactions, but any transaction depends on share availability, buyer and seller agreement, transfer restrictions, company approval rights, and any applicable right of first refusal. There is no guarantee that ZEFR will complete an IPO or other liquidity event.
Yes, it is sometimes possible to buy ZEFR shares pre-IPO through private secondary transactions. This depends on finding a willing seller, company approval, and satisfying any transfer restrictions or rights of first refusal.
Buyers interested in buying ZEFR shares on the secondary market typically do so through SetterVC and other secondary-market platforms, subject to eligibility requirements, share availability, transfer restrictions, and issuer approval. Buyers may need to satisfy sophistication, accreditation, institutional, platform, regulatory, or other eligibility requirements before participating. Once eligible, buyers may be able to view listings, make bids, and work with a licensed broker through the transaction process. Buyers should ensure they have appropriate legal and financial advisors guiding them before completing any transaction.
SetterVC currently shows one valuation mark for ZEFR based on funding rounds, tender offers, secondary-market indications, and other reported or collected valuation marks. ZEFR's valuation was approximately $93M as of 2012. Secondary-market prices may differ from this valuation based on share class, transaction size, transfer restrictions, supply and demand, company performance, and broader market conditions. SetterVC and Setter Capital does not verify the accuracy or completeness of valuation data, and buyers and sellers should confirm current information before relying on it.
ZEFR's latest disclosed funding round was a Debt Financing round in April 15, 2020. The round raised approximately $5M. Primary funding rounds are different from secondary transactions: in a primary round, capital goes to the company, while in a secondary transaction, investors buy existing shares from current shareholders. Funding-round data reflects publicly reported or collected information and may be incomplete.
ZEFR has raised approximately $64.41M in disclosed funding across 5 rounds. These figures reflect primary capital raised by the company and do not include every possible secondary transaction, undisclosed round, debt facility, or private transfer. Reported funding totals can change as new rounds are announced or older round details are corrected. Eligible users can use SetterVC to track ZEFR's funding history alongside private-market activity where available.
ZEFR's disclosed investors include Institutional Venture Partners (IVP), U.S. Venture Partners and Shasta Ventures. Investor lists are based on public reporting, company announcements, and collected funding-round data, and may be incomplete. Participation in a prior funding round does not mean those investors are currently buying or selling shares. On SetterVC, eligible users can review ZEFR's funding history, valuation history, and private-market activity alongside other venture-backed companies.
ZEFR's most-cited competitors include DoubleVerify, Integral Ad Science, Pixability, Channel Factory, GumGum and Oracle Moat / Oracle Advertising. Investors often compare these companies by sector, product focus, valuation, funding raised, growth signals, investor base, and private-market activity.
Secondary-market demand for ZEFR shares can be affected by company performance, revenue growth, profitability, funding history, valuation, investor interest, sector momentum, public-market conditions, expected timing of a liquidity event, and the availability of shares for sale. Demand can also be affected by transfer restrictions, company approval rights, right of first refusal processes, limited information, and the price expectations of buyers and sellers. Strong demand does not guarantee strong pricing, liquidity, or investment returns. Weak demand does not necessarily reflect the company's long-term prospects. Demand signals should not be treated as a recommendation or prediction of investment performance. Buyers and sellers should treat demand signals as informational and conduct their own diligence before transacting.
Sellers often rely on intermediaries and platforms, such as SetterVC and other secondary-market platforms, to identify potential buyers. The exact process varies by company and transaction, but sellers often begin by confirming their ownership, desired price, transferability, and any company approval or notice requirements. If the seller agrees with a buyer on acceptable price and terms, the company may need to be notified through a share transfer notice or similar process. If a right of first refusal, company approval right, or other transfer restriction applies, the seller may need to wait until that process is completed. The parties may then execute a purchase and sale agreement, complete required transfer documentation, and close if all required conditions are satisfied. Sellers should always seek proper legal and financial advice before completing the transaction.
Yes, current and former ZEFR employees, early investors, and other existing shareholders may be able to sell vested shares before an IPO through a private secondary sale. This is not automatic; it depends on whether the shareholder has transferable shares, whether there is buyer demand, and whether the company's governing documents permit the transfer. Many companies require prior notice, company approval, or a right of first refusal before shares can be sold. Sellers should also seek proper legal and financial advice before proceeding.
A ZEFR secondary transaction usually involves an existing shareholder selling shares to a buyer before a public listing. The buyer and seller typically agree on price, number of shares, share class, and closing conditions. The seller may then need to notify ZEFR through a share transfer notice or similar process. If ZEFR or existing investors have approval rights, transfer restrictions, or a right of first refusal, those steps may need to be completed before the transfer can close. The parties typically enter into a purchase and sale agreement, complete any required transfer documentation, and close only if the necessary conditions are satisfied. Timing and certainty can vary by company and transaction.
In most private secondary transactions, parties commonly use a purchase and sale agreement that outlines price, terms, and conditions. They may also use share transfer documentation, often a stock transfer notice, share transfer notice, transfer instruction, or similar document, along with any required company approval or right of first refusal materials. Proof of ownership, such as a cap table entry, share certificate, brokerage statement, issuer confirmation, or administrator confirmation, may also be important. Buyers often request recent company financials, but private companies may limit disclosure. Since every deal varies, buyers and sellers should consult legal and financial advisors to understand which documents are needed.
Buying ZEFR shares pre-IPO is risky. Shares are illiquid, no IPO or liquidity event is guaranteed, valuations can change, transfers may require company approval, and private companies may provide limited financial disclosure. Be prepared for total loss. SetterVC and Setter Capital do not provide due diligence, legal, tax, accounting, valuation, or investment advice. Buyers must conduct their own due diligence, verify information, and seek independent legal and investment advice before proceeding.
Private secondary shares are typically illiquid. Unlike public stocks, there is no active public market, so selling them can be difficult and time-consuming. Sales depend on finding a willing buyer and often require company approval. Investors should be prepared to hold the shares for an extended period, with no guarantee of a future sale. Always assess your need for liquidity before investing.
SetterVC and Setter Capital do not provide due diligence, legal, tax, accounting, valuation, or investment advice. Buyers must conduct their own due diligence, including verifying ownership, transferability, legal structure, company approval, and assessing the company's prospects. SetterVC and Setter Capital do not provide advice on whether an investment is good, what price to pay, or what the best bid or ask is. SetterVC and Setter Capital may share documents in some circumstances, but it does not guarantee their accuracy or completeness. Due diligence is essential. Seek legal and investment advice as needed.
Before buying ZEFR shares, a buyer should try to review the share class, price per share, implied valuation, transfer restrictions, ROFR process, company approval rights, seller ownership evidence, recent financing or tender-offer information, available financial information, information rights, resale restrictions, tax considerations, and expected liquidity paths. Not all information may be available for a private company. Buyers should confirm available diligence, process details, and information needs with their own legal, tax, and investment advisers.
SPVs carry risks. Examples include the need to confirm the company allows SPV-based transfers, verify that the SPV truly owns the shares or interests it claims to own, and ensure it has not sold more interests than it holds. Due diligence is essential. Seek legal and investment advice as needed.
Forward contracts carry risks. Examples include the seller refusing to transfer the shares at the future date, even if the seller owns them, the seller going bankrupt with creditors claiming the shares, or the seller committing the same shares to multiple parties. Due diligence is essential. Seek legal and investment advice as needed.
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