Australian adtech startup Blend AI expands into US market with new Austin office

Australian adtech company Blend AI has opened its first US office in Austin, Texas, as part of an ambitious international expansion to tap into the booming ecommerce sector.

Founded in 2020 by Michael Bezman and Dean Krowitz, Blend AI specialises in automating digital advertising for ecommerce brands, using AI to optimise campaigns across Meta, Google, YouTube, TikTok and Microsoft. The company’s platform is designed to remove the complexity and cost traditionally associated with digital advertising, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses.

The US expansion follows Blend AI’s rapid growth in Australia and internationally, with over 250 clients across 21 countries. The new Austin office will support the company’s growing US client base and aims to capitalise on increasing demand for AI-driven marketing solutions.

“Our expansion into the US unlocks massive growth potential, enabling us to bring Blend AI to ecommerce brands looking for an edge in one of the world’s largest markets,” said Krowitz.

Austin was selected as the company’s US base due to its strong tech ecosystem and startup community.

Blend AI’s success in the US has already been demonstrated through partnerships with brands like Minnesota-based babywearing apparel brand Lalabu, which used the platform to scale rapidly. Lalabu’s founder credited Blend AI with slashing customer acquisition costs and driving a significant increase in sales.

Bezman said the company’s AI platform provides smaller ecommerce businesses with access to sophisticated digital marketing capabilities without the need for large in-house teams. “Digital advertising is overwhelming for many business owners, especially in the US,” he said. “Our AI, data-driven approach levels the playing field, enabling brands to connect with the right customers at the right time.”

In Australia, Blend AI has also delivered strong results for local ecommerce brands. Homewares brand Jones & Co reported halving its ad spend and doubling revenue within three months of adopting Blend AI’s platform.

“Our mission is simple,” Bezman added. “We want to empower ecommerce brands to focus on actually running their businesses and do what they do best - creating amazing products and experiences for their customers - while our AI handles the complexities of digital advertising.”

The US expansion marks a significant milestone in Blend AI’s growth strategy, with further global expansion on the horizon.