Right Media
Michael Walrath, founder and CEO
Headquarters: New York
Founded: March, 2003
Funding: $225 million from Yahoo and Redpoint Ventures, among others
When Yahoo acquired a 20% stake in Right Media in 2006, the company's potential to rival Google's AdSense service became apparent. Right Media's ad delivery service, which gives publishers the ability to put ad space up for real-time bids, makes the up-and-comer a hot prospect for an initial public offering (IPO) or buyout this year.
Challenges: With Yahoo set to launch its paid-search advertising service, dubbed Panama, it's still unclear how the company might integrate that project with its Right Media partnership.