Stellar Tech's Strategic Acquisition of Join
In a strategic move to solidify its dominance in influencer marketing,
Stellar Tech, a European leader in marketing technologies, has announced the acquisition of
Join, the top Dutch loyalty platform designed for content creators. This fusion is not just a merger; it aims to create the leading creator marketplace in the
Benelux region, effectively connecting brands with thousands of verified content creators.
Strengthening Market Position
This acquisition marks Stellar Tech’s third significant purchase, following
Influo in July 2024 and
IROIN® in March 2025, underscoring its ambition to dominate the European market by combining local expertise with cutting-edge technologies. By engaging Join’s AI-driven capabilities, Stellar Tech plans to enhance its marketplace and create unique value for brands and creators alike.
Why Join?
The decision to acquire Join comes as a response to the growing demand for innovative solutions in the creator economy, which requires direct, flexible collaborations between brands and creators. Join brings to the table an impressive network of experienced founders and a technology platform acclaimed for its high quality. This integration with Stellar Tech's existing marketplace,
Creatorz, will create a powerful ecosystem that fosters effective partnerships.
Highlights of the Acquisition:
- - Unique Technology: Join's AI-based tools will improve the efficiency and quality of creator-brand collaborations.
- - Expanded Reach: The merger will allow access to a broader network of creators across the Benelux region, enriching the content offerings for brands.
- - Increased Demand: There is a significant shift towards more personalized and direct marketing strategies, which this merger exemplifies.
A Vision for the Future
Stellar Tech’s approach rests on two foundational pillars:
1.
Analytics Integration: Merging the capabilities of Stellar and IROIN® into a single platform for streamlined campaign discovery, management, and measurement.
2.
Marketplace Expansion: Creatorz will be reinforced with Join’s infrastructure, promoting immediate collaborations with micro-influencers and user-generated content specialists.
CEO Cathy Pill emphasizes, 'The creator economy is evolving at a rapid pace. With the fusion of Join and Creatorz, we are setting the standards for micro-creators and UGC specialists throughout the Benelux.' This merger is not just about growth—it signifies a commitment to shaping the future of influencer marketing, promoting greater accessibility for creators and brands alike.
Leadership Transition
As part of the integration, the founders of Join are stepping into key roles at Creatorz:
- - Paolo Martorino, previously the CEO of Join, will now serve as the Managing Director of Creatorz.
- - Edwin Knip, former CTO of Join, will take on the role of Lead Technology Product.
Martorino said, 'We founded Join to streamline and enhance brand-creator collaborations. By joining forces with Creatorz, we can extend that vision to a larger community, thus redefining the creator economy—transitioning from influencers to UGC specialists.'
Industry Implication
This merger is indicative of a broader trend where companies are focusing on technology-driven solutions to capitalize on the vitality of creator economies. By offering businesses a reliable and rapid partnership model, Stellar Tech and Join aim to lead the market in maximizing the potential of influencer marketing.
Looking Ahead
As Stellar Tech positions itself at the forefront of the influencer marketplace, the combination of Join’s expertise and Creatorz’s established presence promises to create a robust platform where brands and creators can thrive together. The future is poised for rapid changes in how these partnerships are formed and nurtured, and Stellar Tech is determined to lead this exciting evolution.