* CEO & Co-founder: Cam Pritchard
* Company: Station
* Website: dropstation.io
* Year founded: 2022
* Key focus: Turning podcasts into businesses
Talk to us about why you think podcasts have become so popular.
Podcasts have emerged as an increasingly popular medium, with over 58% of Americans now prioritizing podcasts over ‘screen-based media’ like TV and blogs. Today, there are over 5 million podcasts globally, hosting more than 70 million episodes — a substantial growth from just 500,000 active podcasts in 2018.
Given their diverse topics, personalized content and strong host-audience connections, podcast ecosystems have become modern-day tribes, filling social voids and fostering connections that feel like extended friend groups. This deep engagement has created thriving communities centered around podcast hosts, where listeners invest significant time each week.
What problem is Station solving?
Despite commanding hours of attention, podcasts earn 70% less than other digital media influencers, such as those on Instagram or TikTok. That’s because platforms struggle to convert audiences into actionable metrics. Unlike visual content, listeners often multitask while consuming podcasts — driving, cleaning or working out — so they aren’t clicking on ads, leading advertisers to devalue this medium due to lower direct sales.
For podcasts to succeed financially, they need to actively engage their audience. The most successful shows deepen engagement, creating a virtuous cycle: the more involved the listeners, the more likely they are to return, recommend the show, subscribe and interact with sponsor links. This increased affinity also builds trust, making fans more likely to follow our recommendations and take action, which in turn makes the show and brand a more valuable asset.
How does Station work?
For fans, Station is the one place where listeners can deepen connections with their favorite shows. Members join to continue the discussions around recent episodes, ask questions, contribute ideas for future episodes, attend events and access exclusive content for loyal listeners.
For podcasts, Station’s AI tools help shows offer more value to their fans. By transforming their content into a rich multimedia experience, we enable podcasts to stand out in a crowded market and turn their audience into a dedicated community that advertisers are eager to connect with. This engagement opens new revenue streams — marketing directly to their audience, building a loyal subscriber base and driving direct sales.
How did Station come to be, and how did the team members come together?
While living in my home country of New Zealand, I built several businesses and, over time, started thinking more about the shifting media landscape. This really took off after I launched a podcast while working at Thumbtack, a next-gen home services company.
Soon after, I met Abhishek Thory, the technical mastermind behind the platform, who developed Station’s Fan AI product to help podcasts engage their audiences. We also recently brought on Austin Walker to advise and build out our product and growth teams. Austin is an experienced founder and investor, having previously built and sold a global tech company that boosted monetization for gaming and esports brands.
What’s next for Station?
Though still in its early stages, Station has already made impressive strides, powering fan clubs for high-profile personalities like football stars Travis and Jason Kelce, as well as various other shows ranging from true crime to news. The team recently secured investment from Brickyard, a Chattanooga-based venture capital firm, and is currently focused on building the next iteration of media.