Religion of Sports
Series B in 2022
Founded in 2016 by Tom Brady, Michael Strahan, and Gotham Chopra, Religion of Sports is a Santa Monica-based media company that produces engaging sports content. It offers scripted and unscripted videos, podcasts, feature films, and social content, focusing on human-interest storytelling around the world of sports.
Creatively
Seed Round in 2022
Creatively is a collaborative platform that serves as a professional networking space for the global creative community. Tailored for individuals across various disciplines, including fashion, art, media, entertainment, marketing, and advertising, the platform enables creators to showcase their portfolios effectively. It facilitates connections between talented individuals and companies seeking to discover and hire exceptional talent. By providing best-in-class features and opportunities, Creatively fosters a vibrant environment where artists can find job prospects and freelance work, enhancing their visibility and career growth in the competitive creative industry.
Creatively
Venture Round in 2020
Creatively is a collaborative platform that serves as a professional networking space for the global creative community. Tailored for individuals across various disciplines, including fashion, art, media, entertainment, marketing, and advertising, the platform enables creators to showcase their portfolios effectively. It facilitates connections between talented individuals and companies seeking to discover and hire exceptional talent. By providing best-in-class features and opportunities, Creatively fosters a vibrant environment where artists can find job prospects and freelance work, enhancing their visibility and career growth in the competitive creative industry.
Religion of Sports
Series A in 2020
Founded in 2016 by Tom Brady, Michael Strahan, and Gotham Chopra, Religion of Sports is a Santa Monica-based media company that produces engaging sports content. It offers scripted and unscripted videos, podcasts, feature films, and social content, focusing on human-interest storytelling around the world of sports.
Wondery Inc. is a content producer and publisher based in West Hollywood, California, specializing in mobile and on-demand audio storytelling. Founded in 2016, the company focuses on creating and curating immersive podcasts that span various genres, including crime, love, mystery, and conspiracy. Wondery's portfolio features well-known programs such as Sword & Scale, Dirty John, and Business Wars, among others. The company aims to connect audiences to a diverse array of narratives while offering a platform for storytellers to gain exposure and advertising representation. Additionally, Wondery provides a mobile application that allows users to follow their favorite podcasts, discover new content, and organize it by channels.
HitRecord
Series A in 2019
HitRecord.org, Inc., founded in 2010 by actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt, operates an online community platform based in Glendale, California. This platform facilitates collaboration among over 100,000 artists worldwide, spanning disciplines such as writing, filmmaking, and music. Daily, the community welcomes approximately 250 new members and contributes over 2,500 pieces of art. HitRecord produces television, digital entertainment, and branded content, with its work having been featured on various platforms including Snapchat and the World Series.
Green Matters
Seed Round in 2019
Green Matters is a lifestyle media firm that works to make environmental and technology news accessible to everyone. They provide topics that include climate news, environmental change-makers, climate justice, animal welfare, and tips for living sustainably.
Scout FM
Seed Round in 2018
Scout FM is a San Francisco-based company that specializes in creating personalized podcast radio stations. Founded in 2017 by Cara Meverden, Saul Carlin, and Dan McCartney, Scout FM leverages data and artificial intelligence to curate high-quality audio content. Their service combines the traditional experience of radio with modern editorial curation, allowing listeners to customize their stations based on individual preferences. This innovative approach transforms how users discover and consume audio content, making it more tailored and accessible.
Religion of Sports
Venture Round in 2018
Founded in 2016 by Tom Brady, Michael Strahan, and Gotham Chopra, Religion of Sports is a Santa Monica-based media company that produces engaging sports content. It offers scripted and unscripted videos, podcasts, feature films, and social content, focusing on human-interest storytelling around the world of sports.
The Athletic
Series A in 2017
The Athletic is an online media company founded in 2015 and headquartered in San Francisco, California. It operates a subscription-based platform dedicated to providing in-depth coverage of sports news, focusing on both local and national events. The service features a wide array of articles about various sports, including basketball and football, delivered by skilled journalists. The Athletic distinguishes itself by offering an ad-free experience, allowing subscribers to access authentic sports content without distractions such as pop-ups or auto-play videos. Through its comprehensive reporting and updates, the company aims to engage sports enthusiasts seeking detailed insights into their favorite teams and athletes.
Crypt TV
Seed Round in 2017
Crypt TV is a media production house specializing in the creation and distribution of horror-themed video content. The company operates an online platform that produces short scary movies, which are accessible on mobile devices and tablets. By leveraging social media and streaming platforms for promotion, Crypt TV aims to engage audiences with immersive horror stories and experiences. Through its innovative approach, the company has established itself as a notable player in the entertainment sector, catering to fans of the horror genre.
The Athletic
Seed Round in 2017
The Athletic is an online media company founded in 2015 and headquartered in San Francisco, California. It operates a subscription-based platform dedicated to providing in-depth coverage of sports news, focusing on both local and national events. The service features a wide array of articles about various sports, including basketball and football, delivered by skilled journalists. The Athletic distinguishes itself by offering an ad-free experience, allowing subscribers to access authentic sports content without distractions such as pop-ups or auto-play videos. Through its comprehensive reporting and updates, the company aims to engage sports enthusiasts seeking detailed insights into their favorite teams and athletes.
The Outline
Venture Round in 2016
The Outline is a digital media publication founded in 2016 by Joshua Topolsky. The company is dedicated to delivering content that explores themes of power, culture, and the future, aiming to shift viewers' perspectives through modern and meaningful storytelling. Its focus is on providing in-depth coverage of various stories, current events, and news from around the world, allowing audiences to engage with diverse and thought-provoking narratives. By prioritizing a unique approach to content creation, The Outline seeks to enrich the reader's understanding of contemporary issues and cultural dynamics.
Uproxx Media Group
Series B in 2016
Uproxx Media Group is a digital media company focused on entertainment and popular culture. It operates a network of brands and a flagship site, Uproxx.com, delivering daily content and original programming across entertainment, music, sports, and current events. The company emphasizes documentary-style video and authoritative journalism to tell culture-driven stories that resonate with a young audience, particularly male readers, while also hosting live Q&A sessions with celebrities and creators. Uproxx builds an online community for discussions and combines editorial, video, and social content to showcase tech, innovation, and undiscovered talent. Its branded series such as HUMAN, LUMINARIES, UNCHARTED, and UNDERBELLY explore human stories, technology, new music, and unknown sports narratives. Founded in 2008 and based in the United States, Uproxx Media Group aims to enable authentic engagement between creators, fans, and brands through culturally relevant storytelling.
All Def Digital, Inc., established in 2013 and headquartered in Los Angeles, is a multi-platform media company specializing in the curation, development, and distribution of content centered around hip-hop culture and related art forms. It manages and supports a diverse range of talent, including social video stars, writers, actors, and hip-hop artists, providing them with platforms for expression and growth. All Def produces and distributes original content across various media, including its own properties, social channels, television, movies, live events, and brand partnerships. As of December 19, 2019, the company operates as a subsidiary of Culture Genesis Inc.
Theta EdgeCloud
Seed Round in 2016
Theta EdgeCloud is the leading decentralized cloud for AI, media and entertainment. The platform empowers AI teams with unrivaled GPU price-to-performance as the first hybrid cloud-edge computing architecture. Strategic corporate investors include Samsung NEXT, Sony Innovation Fund, media investors BDMI Bertelsmann Digital Media Investments, CAA Creative Artists Agency, and traditional Silicon Valley VCs including DCM and Sierra Ventures.
Indigenous Media
Seed Round in 2016
Indigenous Media is an operator of a studio designed to produce transformative content for all screens, including cinema and television as well as original digital material. In order to provide customers with access to the original material for their platforms, the company's studio creates scripted feature films in addition to original content for existing and developing platforms around the world.
Hyper is a video magazine designed for iPad that emphasizes a minimalistic aesthetic and a curated selection of content. Each daily edition features between six to twelve carefully chosen videos, offering users a streamlined experience focused on quality rather than quantity. By delivering the most relevant and engaging content in a visually appealing format, Hyper aims to provide a refreshing alternative to traditional video platforms.
Uproxx Media Group
Series A in 2014
Uproxx Media Group is a digital media company focused on entertainment and popular culture. It operates a network of brands and a flagship site, Uproxx.com, delivering daily content and original programming across entertainment, music, sports, and current events. The company emphasizes documentary-style video and authoritative journalism to tell culture-driven stories that resonate with a young audience, particularly male readers, while also hosting live Q&A sessions with celebrities and creators. Uproxx builds an online community for discussions and combines editorial, video, and social content to showcase tech, innovation, and undiscovered talent. Its branded series such as HUMAN, LUMINARIES, UNCHARTED, and UNDERBELLY explore human stories, technology, new music, and unknown sports narratives. Founded in 2008 and based in the United States, Uproxx Media Group aims to enable authentic engagement between creators, fans, and brands through culturally relevant storytelling.
All Def Digital, Inc., established in 2013 and headquartered in Los Angeles, is a multi-platform media company specializing in the curation, development, and distribution of content centered around hip-hop culture and related art forms. It manages and supports a diverse range of talent, including social video stars, writers, actors, and hip-hop artists, providing them with platforms for expression and growth. All Def produces and distributes original content across various media, including its own properties, social channels, television, movies, live events, and brand partnerships. As of December 19, 2019, the company operates as a subsidiary of Culture Genesis Inc.
Niche is a provider of a social media management platform aimed at engaging and monetizing social media accounts, particularly for the younger generation. The company operates a community of influential social media creators active on emerging platforms such as Vine, Instagram, and Tumblr. Niche offers both software and services that help these creators thrive and interact with their audiences effectively. By collaborating with leading brands, studios, start-ups, and agencies, Niche enhances their partners' social media presence, facilitating user acquisition, audience development, and engagement. Through its comprehensive approach, Niche supports creators in building strong online communities while providing valuable resources for brands looking to generate buzz and foster meaningful connections with their target audiences.
Redef is a company that operates a live media feed platform designed to deliver curated information streams tailored for various industry communities, alongside elements of pop culture. Its focus encompasses a diverse range of topics, including media, technology, sports, music, movies, education, fashion, design, and health. Through its platform, Redef provides newsletters and creates remixes, fostering communities around these verticals. The company aims to enable users to personalize their content experience by allowing them to select and share their favorite topics and insights, thereby facilitating a deeper understanding of the subjects they are passionate about.
Zeega is a cloud-based platform to create and share interactive videos. It curates music, pictures, GIFs, and more from a range of websites to help its users create their own interactive and engaging stories.
The platform allows its users to express themselves by combining personal moments with popular culture.
Zeega was launched in 2013 and is based in San Francisco, California.
Circa
Convertible Note in 2013
Circa is a company that has redefined the news consumption experience by creating a mobile-first news platform. Founded in 2011 by Matt Galligan, Ben Huh, and Arsenio Santos, Circa delivers news in a format specifically designed for mobile devices, focusing on concise and engaging updates that cater to the habits of modern mobile users. By prioritizing the unique characteristics of mobile platforms, Circa aims to enhance how news is produced, delivered, and consumed, offering a streamlined and intuitive experience for its audience.
MiTu Network
Series A in 2012
MiTú is a Latino lifestyle network that specializes in health, beauty, food, family, home, and pop culture. It aggregates content from over 1,200 partners, attracting an audience that generates approximately 400 million views monthly. The platform is designed to connect brands, buyers, and creators with Latino youth in America, offering lifestyle programming tailored for a bilingual audience. As a division of Latido Networks, which targets Hispanic audiences under GoDigital Media Group, MiTú aims to enhance the video experience for Latino users while fostering engagement with diverse content.
Base79
Venture Round in 2012
Base79 is an international online media company specializing in video content, recognized as YouTube’s largest partner and multi-channel network outside North America. Established in 2007, the company, originally known as My Video Rights, has evolved to manage over 800 YouTube channels and collaborate with approximately 1,000 partners, including prominent entities like BBC Worldwide and Endemol’s Tiger Aspect. Base79 generates around 650 million views monthly on YouTube, leveraging its proprietary technology and media relationships to create innovative revenue opportunities for content creators and brands. With offices in major cities such as London, Los Angeles, and Sydney, Base79 is equipped with specialized advertising sales teams that work with global brands to enhance engagement through video content. The company's commitment to excellence is reflected in its YouTube Certified team and its recognition as a leading provider of original content on the platform.
Directr
Seed Round in 2012
Directr is a mobile application company that specializes in enabling users to create visually appealing movies directly on their smartphones. The app provides professional guidance on filmmaking, offering users step-by-step instructions on what to shoot and how to capture it effectively. Additionally, Directr allows users to personalize their creations by adding titles and music, facilitating a seamless editing process that synchronizes video clips automatically. This user-friendly approach makes it easy for individuals to produce shareable movies within minutes, enhancing the overall experience of mobile filmmaking.
Nettle was a La Jolla, CA technology company that launched MovieGoer, a social/mobile/local app for moviegoers. The company was founded by Brian Dear (CEO) and Dan O'Neill (CTO) in late 2010. Investors included Google Ventures, Advancit Capital, and 500 Startups.
Maker Studios
Series B in 2011
Maker Studios, established in 2009 and headquartered in Los Angeles, is a media company that empowers artists to create, distribute, and monetize their original content on YouTube. It provides a comprehensive suite of services, including development, production, promotion, distribution, sales, marketing, and merchandise support to its partners. Maker Studios is home to numerous prominent digital stars and content creators, making it a significant player in the online video landscape. It operates as a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company.