NewsRamp is a PR & Newswire Technology platform that enhances press release distribution by adapting content to align with how and where audiences consume information. Recognizing that most internet activity occurs outside of search, NewsRamp improves content discovery by programmatically curating press releases into multiple unique formats—news articles, blog posts, persona-based TLDRs, videos, audio, and Zero-Click content—and distributing this content through a network of news sites, blogs, forums, podcasts, video platforms, newsletters, and social media.
FAQ: Scaling Search Atlas from $2M to $30M ARR - Sophia Deluz-Bhan's Operational Strategy
TL;DR
Search Atlas achieved 15x growth to $30M ARR profitably without massive VC funding by using a contrarian agency-first model and remote operational systems as competitive advantages.
Search Atlas scaled from $2M to $30M ARR through operational excellence, starting with an agency to fund development, building remote infrastructure early, and strategically acquiring Signal Genesys to create a multi-brand ecosystem.
Search Atlas demonstrates how sustainable growth and remote-first operations can create better workplaces while helping businesses adapt to AI search transformations that improve information discovery for everyone.
Search Atlas grew from $2M to $30M ARR entirely remote with 250+ employees while pioneering Answer Engine Optimization as traditional SEO undergoes its biggest transformation in decades.
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Sophia Deluz-Bhan scaled Search Atlas Group from $2M to $30M ARR in five years through operational excellence and a contrarian multi-brand strategy, achieving this growth profitably without massive VC funding.
They started with an agency-first approach that generated immediate revenue to fund product development, built remote-first operational systems for scalability, and focused on profitability rather than relying on venture capital.
While most tech entrepreneurs chase SaaS from day one, Search Atlas started with LinkGraph, an enterprise SEO agency, which generated revenue, funded product development, and built enterprise relationships before building software.
They implemented documentation culture, async-first communication, and output-based performance management that enabled seamless scaling from 50 to 150 employees across different time zones, giving them an advantage when competitors struggled with remote transitions during the pandemic.
In 2022, they acquired Signal Genesys, a press release distribution platform, which expanded their portfolio to 3 brands and created an ecosystem approach that differentiated them from competitors offering point solutions.
OTTO SEO is their flagship AI product launched in 2024 that was built by practitioners solving real client problems encountered through their agency work, rather than by engineers building in a vacuum.
The company operates 3 distinct brands serving enterprise, mid-market, and SMB segments, positioning itself at the forefront of Answer Engine Optimization as traditional SEO undergoes transformation.
The agency approach generated immediate revenue, funded product development, built enterprise relationships, and revealed market gaps that would shape their flagship AI product, ensuring they solved real problems for real clients.
They focus on outcomes rather than hours, enabling high-performing team members across different time zones and work styles to thrive, which supports rapid iteration and cross-functional collaboration required for AI search marketing.
LinkGraph, their enterprise SEO agency, scaled to $10M ARR by 2022 serving major enterprise clients including Roto-Rooter, Shutterfly, and Serena & Lily.
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