Auren Hoffman

CEO at SafeGraph

Founding LiveRamp and pioneering data onboarding and identity resolution as foundational AdTech infrastructure; currently scaling SafeGraph as a leading geospatial data platform.

Thought LeaderSan Francisco, California, United States20+ years in industry

Last updated Jun 11, 2026 by ATDb automated enrichment

Bio

Auren Hoffman is one of the most influential figures at the intersection of data infrastructure and advertising technology, best known as the founder and longtime CEO of LiveRamp, the identity resolution and data connectivity platform that became foundational to modern programmatic advertising. Under his leadership, LiveRamp grew from a small data onboarding company into a publicly traded enterprise (NYSE: RAMP) that powers identity resolution for hundreds of major brands and publishers, enabling the people-based marketing revolution that reshaped how advertisers connect offline and online data. His work at LiveRamp helped establish data onboarding and identity resolution as core pillars of the AdTech stack. Hoffman is currently CEO of SafeGraph, a geospatial data company that aggregates anonymized location and places data used by advertisers, researchers, and enterprises to understand consumer behavior and foot traffic patterns. SafeGraph has become a significant data provider in the location intelligence space, serving clients across retail, real estate, and advertising. Beyond his operational roles, Hoffman is an active angel investor and startup advisor, having backed dozens of companies across data, SaaS, and media. A prolific writer and speaker, Hoffman publishes extensively on topics including data strategy, identity, talent, and the future of the internet economy. He hosts the World of DaaS podcast, focused on data-as-a-service businesses, and is widely followed in the AdTech and data communities for his contrarian and analytical takes on industry trends. His combination of operator credibility, intellectual output, and investment activity makes him one of the most well-rounded voices in the data and AdTech ecosystem.

Previous Roles

CEO & Founder

LiveRamp (2011-2018)

CEO & Co-Founder

Rapleaf (2005-2012)

Co-Founder

Stonebrick Group (2001-2005)

Co-Founder

BrightMail (1998-2003)

Expertise

Identity ResolutionData OnboardingLocation IntelligencePeople-Based MarketingData-as-a-Service (DaaS)Programmatic AdvertisingFirst-Party Data StrategyGeospatial Data

Education

BS, Science Technology and Society, Stanford University

Notable Achievements

Founded LiveRamp, which went public on NYSE (ticker: RAMP) and became the dominant identity resolution platform in AdTech
Built SafeGraph into a leading geospatial and places data provider used by major advertisers and researchers
Founded Rapleaf, an early data enrichment and email intelligence company later acquired by LiveRamp/Acxiom
Hosts World of DaaS podcast, one of the leading podcasts focused on data businesses
Prolific angel investor with 100+ startup investments across AdTech, data, and SaaS

Awards

Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year nomineeRecognized on multiple AdTech and data industry power lists

Speaking Topics

The future of identity resolution in a cookieless worldBuilding data-as-a-service businessesLocation data and geospatial intelligenceFirst-party data strategy for brands and publishersTalent and company building in data companiesThe evolving AdTech ecosystem and privacy regulation

Publications

World of DaaS podcast (host)
Auren Hoffman Substack / blog on data, talent, and technology
Numerous LinkedIn and Twitter essays on AdTech, data strategy, and entrepreneurship

Board Memberships

SafeGraph (Board Member)LiveRamp (former Board Member)

Advisory Roles

Various early-stage AdTech and data startups (angel investor and advisor)