By: Joshua Finley
Data is the heartbeat of modern business. Yet with so many websites and apps limiting access to their data, acquiring the right information often feels out of reach. This is where David Martin recognized a problem to be solved.
As founder and CEO of Iceberg Data, David has broken through barriers to data access, helping clients across industries tap into the information they need to thrive. His unique approach is unlocking opportunities both for his company and his team. To further extend their impact, Iceberg Data is opening a new office in Mexico, specifically focused on optimizing operations and digital marketing in the hotel industry.
Scraping Solutions for Strategic Decisions
Iceberg Data began as a web scraping firm, building bots to systematically gather publicly available data from websites. As David explains, “90% of our business is automating going to websites, scraping data, and then dropping it into a CSV file or Excel file.” This data gets packaged and sold to enable clients to monitor competitors, adjust pricing, find new customers, and optimize revenue.
Early on, David saw demand from marketing agencies seeking influencer data. “These agencies connect big fashion brands with influencers for sponsored content and videos,” he notes. Iceberg Data’s bots identify “micro-influencers” on major social platforms – users with quality followers and high engagement. By tracking these accounts daily, Iceberg Data constructs valuable marketing databases.
Beyond influencers, David recalls an early client looking to sponsor mobile devices in Latin America. Iceberg Data analytics revealed lesser-known influencers in tech would draw more engagement than global celebrities. David adds, “Based on data we were able to show them better decisions to take.” The client gained actionable insights, while Iceberg Data formed an ongoing partnership providing the data needed for optimal marketing.
Scraping Where Others Can’t
When asked what sets Iceberg Data apart as a web scraper, David points to three key differentiators:
AI-Driven CAPTCHA Bypass
First, the company emphasizes AI to conquer CAPTCHAs and similar security measures designed to block bots. David explains, “We figured out how to create more human-like robots while others try to build better bot detectors.” Iceberg Data possesses capabilities that enable it to access specialized data that may not be readily available to other firms.
Mobile App Data Extraction
Secondly, while scraping focuses on websites, Iceberg Data also gathers data from mobile apps. David realized, “There’s more information in apps than browsers.” By expanding scope beyond the web, Iceberg Data can provide clients incremental mobile-only data.
End-to-End Data Delivery Assurance
Lastly, Iceberg Data handles end-to-end data delivery rather than outsourcing to freelancers. “We take the risks and give results,” David states. “If we don’t provide the data, you don’t pay.” This accountability ensures clients reliably obtain usable datasets.
Investing in People, Unlocking Potential
David’s passion for empowering employees is always evident in his conversations. He shares, “During college, I struggled to pay for my degree. Now, 50% of my team gets their tuition covered.” David actively recruits talented students, offering paid graduate programs while they work at Iceberg Data. He adds, “I’m telling them: get your bachelor’s, and then let’s cover a master’s degree.”
For David, this investment in personnel also pays dividends for Iceberg Data. “These students have fresh minds and are ready to learn,” he notes. “They’ll work hard to do their best.” Already profitable, Iceberg Data can focus resources on empowering its team rather than short-term gains. After graduate study, the company retains motivated professionals ready for new challenges.
The Future of Iceberg Data
Now, Iceberg Data is focused on Mexico’s tourism industry, helping hotels optimize operations and digital marketing. David elaborates, “We’re going to help revenue management units better address pricing and configure their catalogs on booking sites.” Iceberg Data is also building a hospitality dashboard so hotels can more strategically advertise via online travel agencies. Further, AI will monitor and score hotel web content, flagging issues like inconsistent images or text to boost conversion rates.
Looking ahead, David is prepared to keep adapting as Iceberg Data expands globally. He summarizes past obstacles in the UK, from differences in punctuality to communication styles. “Once we learned to work at their high standard, business took off,” David recalls. He expects similar cultural lessons doing business in Mexico yet remains fully committed to growth.
To learn more about David and Iceberg Data, visit David Martin Riveros Website or Iceberg Data’s website.
Published by: Holy Minoza
