Steelberg launched his career by co-founding AdForce with his brother Chad Steelberg in 1995. AdForce, became the world's largest centralized independent ad serving and management solution. It was acquired by CMGI after going public for more than $500 million in 1999. In 2000, AdForce won the Smithsonian Award for the Best Technology in IT.
2CAN Media (CMGi)
In 1998, the Steelbergs founded 2CAN Media, an internet advertising sales organization, which grew to become the 3rd largest Internet advertising sales organization of its kind. It was also later sold to CMGI for over $50 million in a merger with Adsmart/Engage Media.
dMarc Broadcasting (Google)
In 2002, the Steelbergs co-founded dMarc Broadcasting, the largest centralized radio advertising network and digital automation company servicing more than 4,600 Radio Broadcasters. dMarc was acquired by Google in February 2006 for $102 million in cash, with revenue targets that pushed the deal upwards of $1.2B. As of January 2009, total payouts have exceeded $400 million in cash.
In 2007, Ryan co-founded along with his brother Chad, Brand Affinity Technologies, a technology and marketing services company.
Veritone
In 2014, Ryan co-founded along with his brother Chad, Veritone, an Artificial Intelligence leader. Veritone has been recognized by some of the industry's most prestigious forums, including the Red Herring Top 100 Award, the Edison Awards, and the SIIA Business Technology CODiE Award for Best Native Advertising Platform or Service. Veritone is traded on the NASDAQ public exchange under the symbol VERI.
Accolades
The Steelbergs have been named by the Orange County Business Journal as one of the county's "50 Most Influential Businesspeople." Ryan and Chad were also finalists for Ernst & Young's "Entrepreneur of the Year" in 2000. In 2006, Chad and Ryan Steelberg were named one of the "50 Most Powerful People in Radio", by Radio Ink Magazine. In 2009, Steelberg was named by Sports Business Journal as one of their annual "Forty Under 40" award winners. This award honors the top 40 best and brightest young executives in the sports industry under the age of 40. Most Recently, the Steelbergs have been honored in 10th annual Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards by the Orange County Business Journal. This award recognizes individuals who exemplify the Americanentrepreneurial spirit – individuals who, by their creativity and determination, have established and nurtured successful business ventures. Fortune Magazine has also recognized Steelberg as an innovator in the advertising and digital space.
