This article is part of the Gigabeat Execs In Tech series, where we explore the minds and motivations of the most influential leaders in technology. Some entrepreneurs are visionaries who build empires meant to last for generations. Others are master architects, designing companies from the ground up with the intention of scaling, proving value, and exiting at the right time. Nicholas Kinports belongs to the latter category—a builder who thrives on the challenge of launching, growing, and successfully selling businesses.
The Rise of Digital Consulting: A Data-Driven Marketing Pioneer
In the early 2010s, digital marketing was still evolving. Social media was maturing, mobile content consumption was surging, and brands were struggling to navigate the shift from traditional advertising to digital engagement. Sensing an opportunity, Kinports launched Lonelybrand, a digital marketing consultancy that focused on helping brands adopt new digital tools with a data-driven approach.
“We saw so many brands chasing trends without understanding why,” Kinports recalls. “I wanted to create a company that focused on measurable results—helping businesses make smart digital decisions based on real consumer behavior.”
Lonelybrand quickly became a go-to firm for companies looking to modernize their marketing strategies. The company specialized in performance marketing, content strategy, and analytics-driven decision-making, working with clients ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies.
By proving that digital engagement could be more than just flashy campaigns—that it could drive real, measurable ROI—Lonelybrand caught the attention of larger agencies looking to bolster their digital capabilities. The company was ultimately acquired by HY Connect, marking Kinports’ first successful exit.
“The goal was never just to run an agency forever,” Kinports says. “It was to build something valuable enough that a bigger player would want it.”
HY Connect: Scaling to Acquisition
Kinports set his sights on an even bigger opportunity—integrating digital strategy with traditional agency expertise, expanding digital capabilities and positioning the company for growth.
HY Connect became a leader in combining creative storytelling with advanced analytics, helping brands bridge the gap between traditional media and digital marketing. Under Kinports’ leadership in digital transformation, the agency scaled rapidly, expanding services in programmatic advertising, content marketing, and customer engagement.
“The future of marketing wasn’t just digital—it was about merging digital with traditional advertising to create a seamless brand experience,” Kinports explains.
His work at HY Connect played a key role in making the agency an attractive acquisition target. Eventually, HY Connect was acquired by Myelin Communications, further solidifying Kinports’ reputation as a strategist who not only builds companies but prepares them for high-value exits.
The Build-to-Sell Mentality
Unlike entrepreneurs who focus on long-term company ownership, Kinports thrives on the build-to-sell model. He identifies gaps in the market, builds companies that fill those gaps, and ensures they have the scalability and infrastructure needed to attract buyers.
“Some people want to build the next Amazon, and that’s great. I’ve always been more interested in creating something that solves a specific problem, proving its value, and then moving on to the next challenge,” Kinports says.
This mindset has allowed him to replicate success across multiple ventures. His approach follows a clear framework:
- Identify a market need early. “Look where the industry is headed, not where it is today.”
- Build a business that fills that gap. “The best companies solve problems that others don’t even realize exist yet.”
- Focus on scalability and proof of value. “If a company isn’t scalable, it’s not sellable.”
- Position for acquisition. “From day one, I think about who the potential buyers could be and what they’d need to see to make an offer.”
What’s Next for Nicholas Kinports?
Kinports has already successfully exited two companies, but his entrepreneurial career is far from over. Now, he focuses on the next frontier of AI-driven marketing, automation, and customer engagement.
“AI is changing everything,” Kinports notes. “The companies that figure out how to blend AI with human creativity are going to be the ones that dominate the next decade.”
Whether he’s launching new ventures or advising startups on how to build with acquisition in mind, Nicholas Kinports remains a key player in the evolving digital business landscape. And if history is any indicator, whatever he builds next won’t just be successful—it’ll be valuable enough for someone else to buy.
