WeAre8 secures $15m Series B funding to scale sustainable ad platform

Helion is proud to have advised WeAre8 on their Series B funding and their investment from Channel 4, who led the round.

WeAre8 is a sustainable ad platform on a mission to redirect a slice of the booming digital ad market back to people and the planet.

WeAre8 inspires people with exclusive content and every time they watch an ad, they are paid and donations are made to charity too. Through WeAre8’s sustainable ad buying engine, advertisers receive transformational media results all while delivering against their ESG and sustainability goals. 55% of every pound advertisers spend on WeAre8 is shared directly with people and charities, with another 5% going to a creator fund to fuel micro shows, collaborations and monthly challenges on the 8Stage – a hate-free evolution of the social feed.

WeAre8 recently signed a major deal with media agency Dentsu and added Rio Ferdinand to its high-profile leadership-team.

The investment from Channel 4 Ventures, the UK’s largest ‘media for equity’ fund, comes at an important time in WeAre8’s expansion. As the ad platform ramps up its UK scale through its existing partnership with EE and large talent agreements, this financial backing will enable WeAre8 to accelerate its growth through 2022.

WeAre8 will launch its first TV advertising campaign in the UK across Channel 4’s platform portfolio including its streaming service All 4 in Q2 2022 to drive significant brand awareness and reach across its young audience. The ad campaign will feature high profile brand ambassadors including Rio Ferdinand and will highlight the impact that is possible on WeAre8 as people unite in support of the planet.

“We are delighted to announce this strategic investment from Channel 4 and Centerstone Capital. People across the UK and the world are under more economic pressure than ever before and the WeAre8 technology brings money and power back to individuals in a transformational way all while uniting them to help solve the world’s biggest issues. The investment from Channel 4 and Centerstone Capital is enabling us to scale our technology to millions of people every day.”

Sue Fennessy, Founder and CEO of WeAre8

“As we continue to focus on growing an investment portfolio of like-minded purpose-driven businesses, we were particularly impressed with WeAre8 and its founder Sue Fennessy. The WeAre8 technology presents a compelling and ethical alternative social digital platform for brands to communicate with consumers.”

Vinay Solanki, head of Channel 4 Ventures

“We are delighted to have advised Sue, Haley and the team at WeAre8 on their Series B funding round and the strategic investment by Channel 4 Ventures. Sue is an exceptional leader and visionary with a disruptive model at a time where brands and consumers are demanding sustainable alternatives”

Alex Cartwright, Partner, Helion Partners