4.screen, a driver interaction platform co-founded in 2020 by three ex-BMW digital product specialists, has successfully raised €21 million in its Series A funding round. The funding round was led by S4S Ventures and Continental Corporate Venture Capital and also received backing from three German venture capital firms and several business angels from the automotive industry, including Matthias Müller, former CEO of Volkswagen, and Bram Schot, former CEO of Audi.
4.screen allows global and local brands to interact with drivers in real-time via their car screens, using ground-breaking in-car technology and unique data signals, only accessible through their platform. By leveraging car sensor data, such as location, engine type, car brand, and fueling or charging levels, the platform provides drivers with contextual information about nearby businesses, including parking, restaurants, or shops, and provides marketers using its platform with targeting precision unmatched by alternative in-car channels.
The funding will be used to accelerate 4.screen’s global expansion plans and further advance its platform. The company has successfully launched with multiple car makers in Europe, including Audi, Skoda, and Mercedes-Benz, and is live with several million users actively using the platform today. It counts over 60 global consumer brands as customers, including Shell and McDonald’s, and is now targeting expansion in the EU and North America through the rest of the year.
Business-to-driver interaction via the car screen is one of the digital advertising industry’s most significant untapped channels. According to a study by Ptolemus Consulting, the number of connected vehicles has reached 260 million and is expected to rise to 600 million by 2030, at which point the overall market value, estimated by McKinsey, will exceed €300 billion.
Fabian Beste, Co-founder, and CEO of 4.screen, expressed his delight at the successful Series A funding round and the trust of strong investors. He further stated that 4.screen is well-positioned to expand its operations beyond Europe and deliver exceptional experiences to drivers and businesses worldwide.
S4S Ventures and Continental Corporate Venture Capital bring strategic benefits in addition to capital. S4S Ventures brings advertising and marketing expertise, while Continental VC provides expertise in automotive technology. The investment by Continental VC is expected to drive the growth of 4.screen and pave the way for a new era of e-commerce in mobility.
4.screen’s technology has the potential to transform the in-car experience, creating massive opportunities for car brands to connect drivers with their surroundings. The digitalization of vehicles is set to revolutionize both the automotive industry and the digital advertising industry, and 4.screen is at the forefront of this change.
