Brand collaboration platform Collabosaurus acquired by Cali Social founder

Bootstrapped brand collaborations startup Collabosaurus has been acquired by marketing guru Lauren Swidenbank.

The terms of the M&A deal were not disclosed.

Swidenbank is CEO and founder of Cali Social, a performance marketing agency specialising in female-first brands. She said the acquisition as a strategic move to expand into tech and leverage Collabosaurus’s unique position in the market.

“I’m excited about the scalability and potential of Collabosaurus, and was impressed by the platform’s unique model fostering win/win marketing collaborations, amidst rising saturation and an uncertain economy,” Swidenbank said.

“I will be focused on leveraging my background in performance marketing to continue the growth trajectory of the brand and enhance Collabosaurus’ market presence.”

The tech platform match-makes brands for marketing collaborations, offering a cost-effective solution for businesses seeking to expand their reach and impact.

Since launching in 2015, Collabosaurus has experienced an average annual growth rate of 84% and now boasts over 10,700 brands including ASOS, Marks & Spencer, Walmart, Cointreau, and Microsoft, alongside a profit margin of 46.8%.

Founder Jess Ruhfus said her decision to sell was influenced by a desire to pursue her venture, No.2 – an ecommerce brand in the home fragrance category.

“The organic and swift acquisition process began over dinner. We both had a shared vision for the future of the brand, and I have full confidence that Lauren’s leadership will continue to propel Collabosaurus forward,” she said.

Ruhfus has a background in fashion publicity and marketing education, which led to Sydney-based Collabosaurus. She won the 2019 B&T 30 Under 30 award in Entrepreneurship.