The Trade Desk
Ventura, US Β· Founded 2009 Β· Public Β· 13 known investors
The Trade Desk is the world's largest independent demand-side platform for media buying, serving advertisers and agencies in the digital advertising industry across 24 markets globally.
Also known as The Trade Desk, Inc. Β· TTD
Founders & leadership
The Trade Desk was founded in 2009 by Jeff Green and Dave Pickles.
Investors Β· 13
Also in the syndicate Β· 8
Key figures
latest reportedCompany-reported or press-reported figures, each dated to when it was claimed β not independently audited.
Founder mafia
3 people who came through The Trade Desk went on to found or lead other companies.
Competitors Β· 6
by search overlap
Companies competing with The Trade Desk for the same Google search keywords, organic and paid, via search-intersection analysis.
Timeline Β· 26
launches, deals, and filingsDA Davidson downgraded TTD to Neutral on 2026-08-10, lowering its price target from $29 to $16; shares traded near multi-year lows amid a weak Q3 outlook and AI-related competitive pressure.
AdExchanger reported that The Trade Desk laid off staff one year after its last major reorg.
An API generating metadata on advertising quality and the health of the digital advertising supply chain.
After 33 consecutive earnings periods of meeting or exceeding expectations, TTD came in about 2% below expectations in Q4 2024; stock rebounded in Q1 2025.
Feature allowing advertisers to manage deals directly with publishers.
Netflix's first expansion of its advertising partnerships, including The Trade Desk, Magnite and Google DV360.
Media buying platform integrating distributed AI, measurement and deep learning algorithms with digital media buying.
Gives advertisers direct access to premium digital advertising inventory; publishers using it include CondΓ© Nast, Reuters and The Washington Post.
Platform upgrade centered on AI/ML-driven campaign optimization.
Second iteration of its identity framework using encrypted email and phone number data as a post-cookie identity standard; adopted by Disney, Paramount, Procter & Gamble and Unilever.
Campaign positioning the company as a more transparent digital advertising alternative to Google and Facebook.
Enabled purchase of ad inventory for third-party TV content through Amazon Fire TV devices.
Provides partnership access between marketers and Chinese media companies including Alibaba, Tencent and Baidu Exchange Services.
New AI tools, a new user interface and a proprietary global user identity resolution tool (Unified ID) intended to standardize identity on the open web.
The Trade Desk became a public company on September 21, 2016; shares reportedly rose 67% on the first day of trading, with a revenue run rate above $150 million heading into the IPO.
Introduced advanced data management and forecasting in a single omnichannel interface across display, video and audio.
International expansion to capture global demand for data-driven advertising.
The Trade Desk was included as a key partner in Facebook's launch of its real-time bidding platform, Facebook Exchange.
Jeff Green and Dave Pickles, who previously worked together at AdECN (sold to Microsoft in 2007), founded the company in November 2009 to build an independent, self-service buy-side platform for real-time bidding.
Dated company events from announcements, filings, and press; legal rows summarize public dockets and regulator releases.
In the news
How Investors Are Reacting To Trade Desk (TTD) Tapping 7βEleven Japan Data And Revamping Leadership - Simply Wall St Newssimplywall.st Β· Jul 2026
The Trade Desk Has Fallen 76% This Year: Here's What Investors Should Know | The Motley Foolfool.com Β· Jul 2026βΈResearch sources Β· 8
primary sources listed
- The Trade Deskthetradedesk.com Β· web
8 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does The Trade Desk do?
- The Trade Desk is the world's largest independent demand-side platform for media buying, serving advertisers and agencies in the digital advertising industry across 24 markets globally.
- Who founded The Trade Desk?
- The Trade Desk was founded by Jeff Green, Dave Pickles in 2009.
- Who are The Trade Desk's investors?
- The Trade Desk's investors include Bonfire Ventures, Firestreak Ventures, Founder Collective, Kortschak Investments L.P., SV Angel.
- Where is The Trade Desk headquartered?
- The Trade Desk is headquartered in Ventura, US.