Meet the Members of Startup House: Monetizr’s Startup Journey

At Startup House, we are building a thriving community of ambitious startups, innovators, and ecosystem players. In this blog series, we will introduce you to our members, starting with Monetizr—the first to move in and a pioneering leader in gaming media.

About Monetizr: Transforming Gaming into a Major Media Channel

In the ever-evolving world of digital media, gaming is the next frontier. Monetizr is on a mission to turn gaming into a large-scale media channel, bridging the gap between consumer attention and brand advertising dollars. We sat down with Martins Bratuskins, Founder of Monetizr, to learn more about their journey, achievements, and how being part of Startup House Riga has fueled their growth.

Martins Bratuskins, Founder of Monetizr

The Mission Behind Monetizr

Monetizr is revolutionizing brand engagement in gaming by offering seamless and immersive advertising experiences. Historically, traditional media dominated brand advertising until the rise of the internet, which shifted focus to digital and social media marketing. Now, gaming presents a new opportunity that remains largely untapped.

"Gaming attracts as much attention as social media, yet brand advertising dollars in gaming remain relatively low. Monetizr is closing the gap between where people's attention is and where brand advertising dollars are. Our goal is to help brands create scalable and native gaming advertising campaigns, seamlessly integrating brands into the gaming experience. Our services are already used by brands like Procter & Gamble, PepsiCo, and L'Oreal." explains Martins.

Unlike traditional ads, Monetizr’s approach ensures that advertisements feel natural within the gaming environment. "They don't feel like an ad. Users choose to engage with a brand and they get rewarded by a brand, and that drives higher purchase intent and brand favorability," he adds. 

Milestones and Growth

Monetizr has achieved significant milestones, including securing a major client, Haleon, which owns brands like Theraflu, Advil, and Sensodyne. Another key development is the launch of programmatic media buying, allowing brands to purchase ad placements through demand-side platforms like The Trade Desk and DV360.

While these advancements have strengthened Monetizr’s position in the market, challenges remain. Educating brands about the value of gaming audiences and dismantling stereotypes about gamers are ongoing efforts. "Many still believe gamers are just teenage boys in basements, which isn’t true. We’re working hard to change this perception through newsletters, social media, and campaign reports," says Martins.

Why Monetizr Chose Startup House Riga

For Monetizr, finding the right workspace was crucial. "We were looking for a place in Riga that offered both a strong community and an inspiring workspace. We saw this model in action in the U.S. when we were part of Techstars, and we wanted to recreate that here," Martins shares.

Startup House Riga provided exactly what Monetizr needed—a hub where startups, investors, and innovators collide. "The biggest value is the random interactions—whether at the coffee machine or in networking events—that can lead to new ideas and opportunities."

The proximity to key investors, like Change Ventures, has also been a game-changer. "Being just a few doors away from our lead investor means we can quickly get feedback and advice, which has been instrumental in our growth and fundraising efforts."

The Value of a Startup-Focused Community

Beyond networking, the sense of camaraderie at Startup House has been vital for team morale and productivity. "Seeing other startups hustling, facing similar challenges, and learning from each other is invaluable. We’d love to engage even more with the community to foster knowledge sharing and collaboration."

Startup House has also played a role in Monetizr’s marketing efforts, providing access to events and speaking opportunities that boost brand awareness and hiring efforts. "Since joining, we’ve grown our sales pipeline from $1.2 million to $5 million. The environment here has absolutely contributed to that growth."

Looking Ahead: The Future of Monetizr and Startup House Riga

Monetizr’s vision is clear—becoming the go-to platform for brands and agencies to access gaming media at scale. "Right now, the market is fragmented, and it’s difficult for brands to activate large-scale campaigns in gaming. We want to be the infrastructure that simplifies this process."

And as Monetizr scales, Startup House Riga will remain a key part of its journey. "The community here keeps growing, and I see us being part of it for the foreseeable future. The value of being surrounded by like-minded entrepreneurs, exchanging insights, and having direct access to investors is priceless."

Final Thoughts

For any startup looking to accelerate growth, Martins offers a key takeaway: "Find a space that fuels your ambition, surrounds you with the right people, and fosters collaboration. Startup House Riga has been that place for us, and I highly recommend it to others on the same path."

Monetizr is just one example of the thriving innovation happening at Startup House. If you’re looking for a workspace that does more than just provide a desk but instead connects you to a dynamic startup ecosystem, you might just find your perfect fit here.