TLDR: Indianapolis-based marketing technology startup Backstroke Inc. has successfully closed a $2.8 million venture funding round, bringing its total investment to $4.8 million since its inception in 2024. The funding, led by Allos Ventures, will support the company’s rapid growth, marked by significant increases in revenue and customer base, particularly amidst an ‘AI Marketing Boom’.
Indianapolis, IN – July 16, 2025 – Backstroke Inc., a burgeoning marketing technology startup headquartered in Indianapolis, has announced the successful closure of a $2.8 million venture funding round. This latest investment marks the company’s second funding round, elevating its total outside investment to $4.8 million since its launch in 2024. The initial funding round in 2024 secured $2 million.
The recent funding, which officially closed on June 30, was publicly announced by Backstroke on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. The round was spearheaded by Cincinnati-based Allos Ventures. Notably, Indianapolis-based investors High Alpha and Ground Game Ventures also participated, having previously invested in Backstroke’s inaugural funding round.
Backstroke, co-founded by CEO R.J. Talyor, Allyson Talyor (Lead Data Scientist), Egan Montgomery (VP of Marketing), and Tyler Hill (Head of Product and Design), has demonstrated impressive growth metrics. The company reported a remarkable 447% increase in its annual recurring revenue between June 2024 and June 2025. Concurrently, its customer count surged by 375% during the same period.
In terms of financial performance, Backstroke generated $350,000 in revenue in 2024 and is projecting to reach $1 million in revenue for 2025. The firm has quickly gained traction across various sectors, including fashion, beauty, pet, and furniture, with Indianapolis-based Homefield listed among its growing roster of customers.
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The company’s innovative approach to marketing technology, particularly within the context of an ‘AI Marketing Boom,’ has positioned it as a significant player. Backstroke was recognized earlier this year as one of 20 Startups to Watch in the Indianapolis Business Journal’s 2025 Innovation Issue in May, underscoring its potential and impact in the tech landscape.
