Turpentine
Acquisition in 2025
Turpentine is a media company that operates a network of podcasts, newsletters, and digital platforms. It produces independent audio and written content, covering a wide range of topics including technology, business, culture, and emerging trends. The company aims to provide unique perspectives and in-depth analysis, catering to professionals, researchers, and individuals seeking insights beyond mainstream coverage.
Ideogram is an artificial intelligence startup focused on generative text-to-image technology. The company develops innovative media tools designed to enhance creative expression and accessibility for users. Its platform incorporates advanced functionalities, allowing individuals to explore and experiment with creative projects using generative artificial intelligence. Through its unique approach, Ideogram aims to empower users to unleash their creativity by simplifying the process of generating visual content from textual input.
Ideogram
Seed Round in 2023
Ideogram is an artificial intelligence startup focused on generative text-to-image technology. The company develops innovative media tools designed to enhance creative expression and accessibility for users. Its platform incorporates advanced functionalities, allowing individuals to explore and experiment with creative projects using generative artificial intelligence. Through its unique approach, Ideogram aims to empower users to unleash their creativity by simplifying the process of generating visual content from textual input.
Poybo Media
Seed Round in 2023
Poybo Media is a Canadian digital media company. The company was founded by Justin Jin on May 2, 2020, and is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Canal specializes in creating a selective network of brands designed to generate innovative revenue streams by reaching consumers at the point they express purchase intent while shopping.
Prologue is a holding company that focuses on technology investments and media brands. It specializes in providing financial support to early-stage startups, helping entrepreneurs develop and expand their businesses. By leveraging its expertise in both technology and media, Prologue aims to foster innovation and growth within its portfolio, contributing to the success of its investments.
Mainframe Industries
Series B in 2021
Mainframe Industries is a game development company founded in 2019, with headquarters in both Helsinki, Finland, and Reykjavik, Iceland. The company specializes in creating an open-world, social sandbox MMO designed for cloud gaming, which enables cross-platform play across mobile devices, PCs, and televisions. By leveraging the expertise of teams with backgrounds in AAA, MMO, and mobile gaming, Mainframe aims to enhance the gaming experience through friction-free access from social networks and streaming platforms. This innovative approach is intended to broaden the creative possibilities for game developers and provide players with immersive gaming experiences.
Mem Protocol
Seed Round in 2021
Mem Protocol is a company focused on enhancing social media services through decentralized architectures. It develops a human-centric tool that securely stores information about network participants, including their social media history and professional experience, in cryptographically protected vaults. The platform allows users to engage by asking and answering questions on a wide range of topics, facilitating access to important articles and providing a personalized feed of insightful responses. By prioritizing user control and privacy, Mem Protocol aims to create a more meaningful social layer for the web3 ecosystem.
turntable.fm
Venture Round in 2021
Turntable.fm is a project of [Seth Goldstein](http://www.crunchbase.com/person/seth-goldstein) and [Billy Chasen](http://www.crunchbase.com/person/billy-chasen), the two guys who brought us [Stickybits](http://www.crunchbase.com/organization/stickybits).
Users in each dance room has an avatar and can chat with each other. Users can create their own playlist and get up in the DJ booth to battle it out.
Turntable.fm a social music platform that encourages hanging out with people and discovering music. If a DJ is playing a song you like, you can add it to your playlist, buy it on iTunes, find it on Last.fm, or launch Spotify.
In November 2013, Turntable announced they would be shutting down turntable.fm to focus on their live events platform.
Clubhouse
Series C in 2021
Clubhouse is an audio-based social media platform that facilitates casual conversations and connection-building among users. It is designed for live, audio-only interactions where individuals can join group chats, engage in discussions, and discover new topics and people through their networks. Users can drop into conversations with friends or others they follow, providing a space for spontaneous dialogues and connection. The platform emphasizes the value of authentic communication, enabling individuals to connect with both familiar and new voices in an informal setting.
Canal specializes in creating a selective network of brands designed to generate innovative revenue streams by reaching consumers at the point they express purchase intent while shopping.
Clubhouse
Series B in 2021
Clubhouse is an audio-based social media platform that facilitates casual conversations and connection-building among users. It is designed for live, audio-only interactions where individuals can join group chats, engage in discussions, and discover new topics and people through their networks. Users can drop into conversations with friends or others they follow, providing a space for spontaneous dialogues and connection. The platform emphasizes the value of authentic communication, enabling individuals to connect with both familiar and new voices in an informal setting.
Caffeine Inc. operates a live social broadcasting and streaming platform that focuses on gaming and entertainment. Founded in 2016 and based in Redwood City, California, the company allows users to broadcast a variety of content, including esports, video gaming, and creative shows, while facilitating real-time interaction through chat and sharing features. Caffeine's platform is designed to enhance viewer engagement with a social-driven recommendation system, making it easier to navigate and discover new content. The company partners with notable entities like FOX Sports, ESPN, and Riot Games to provide a diverse range of interactive programming. Caffeine is committed to maintaining a safe environment, enforcing a zero-tolerance policy against bullying, hate speech, and racism.
Clubhouse
Series A in 2020
Clubhouse is an audio-based social media platform that facilitates casual conversations and connection-building among users. It is designed for live, audio-only interactions where individuals can join group chats, engage in discussions, and discover new topics and people through their networks. Users can drop into conversations with friends or others they follow, providing a space for spontaneous dialogues and connection. The platform emphasizes the value of authentic communication, enabling individuals to connect with both familiar and new voices in an informal setting.
Mainframe Industries
Series A in 2020
Mainframe Industries is a game development company founded in 2019, with headquarters in both Helsinki, Finland, and Reykjavik, Iceland. The company specializes in creating an open-world, social sandbox MMO designed for cloud gaming, which enables cross-platform play across mobile devices, PCs, and televisions. By leveraging the expertise of teams with backgrounds in AAA, MMO, and mobile gaming, Mainframe aims to enhance the gaming experience through friction-free access from social networks and streaming platforms. This innovative approach is intended to broaden the creative possibilities for game developers and provide players with immersive gaming experiences.
Rive is a company focused on enhancing collaboration between designers and developers through its real-time animation platform. This platform allows for the creation of animated interactive experiences that are faster, smaller, and more memory-efficient than traditional design solutions. By enabling designers to produce interactive content from concept to production, Rive simplifies the workflow and reduces the need for complex handoffs between teams. The platform facilitates the design and animation of various graphics, including animated user interfaces, characters, and icons, making it easier for creative teams to iterate freely. Overall, Rive's innovative tools streamline the development of high-quality animation for applications and games, saving businesses both time and engineering resources.
Knowable
Seed Round in 2019
Knowable Universe, Inc., operating as Knowable, is an e-learning provider based in Los Angeles, California, established in 2013. The company specializes in developing an online platform that offers audio courses designed to help users acquire new skills. Its offerings feature long-form audio instruction complemented by detailed lesson summaries, curated learning tools, and downloadable e-textbooks. Additionally, Knowable provides access to private student communities, enhancing the learning experience through engagement and interaction. The team behind Knowable comprises editors, producers, and journalists from well-known institutions, all committed to creating engaging and effective audio courses.
Caffeine
Corporate Round in 2018
Caffeine Inc. operates a live social broadcasting and streaming platform that focuses on gaming and entertainment. Founded in 2016 and based in Redwood City, California, the company allows users to broadcast a variety of content, including esports, video gaming, and creative shows, while facilitating real-time interaction through chat and sharing features. Caffeine's platform is designed to enhance viewer engagement with a social-driven recommendation system, making it easier to navigate and discover new content. The company partners with notable entities like FOX Sports, ESPN, and Riot Games to provide a diverse range of interactive programming. Caffeine is committed to maintaining a safe environment, enforcing a zero-tolerance policy against bullying, hate speech, and racism.
Caffeine Inc. operates a live social broadcasting and streaming platform that focuses on gaming and entertainment. Founded in 2016 and based in Redwood City, California, the company allows users to broadcast a variety of content, including esports, video gaming, and creative shows, while facilitating real-time interaction through chat and sharing features. Caffeine's platform is designed to enhance viewer engagement with a social-driven recommendation system, making it easier to navigate and discover new content. The company partners with notable entities like FOX Sports, ESPN, and Riot Games to provide a diverse range of interactive programming. Caffeine is committed to maintaining a safe environment, enforcing a zero-tolerance policy against bullying, hate speech, and racism.
Within (VR/AR)
Series B in 2017
Within is the premier destination for innovative, entertaining, and informative story-based virtual reality and augmented reality. We bring together the best immersive experiences from the world's finest VR/AR creators—from gripping tales set in worlds of pure imagination to documentaries taking you further inside the news than ever before.
Within supports all major headsets, including Oculus Quest, Rift, HTC Vive, Sony PlayStation VR, and Samsung Gear VR.
To get started experiencing our ever-growing roster of content, just download our app for iPhone or Android today.
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.
Within (VR/AR)
Series A in 2016
Within is the premier destination for innovative, entertaining, and informative story-based virtual reality and augmented reality. We bring together the best immersive experiences from the world's finest VR/AR creators—from gripping tales set in worlds of pure imagination to documentaries taking you further inside the news than ever before.
Within supports all major headsets, including Oculus Quest, Rift, HTC Vive, Sony PlayStation VR, and Samsung Gear VR.
To get started experiencing our ever-growing roster of content, just download our app for iPhone or Android today.
Mediachain
Seed Round in 2016
Mediachain is an open media library that utilizes blockchain technology to seamlessly connect media with its creators and relevant information. Founded in 2016 and based in Brooklyn, New York, the company operates as a protocol for registering, identifying, and tracking creative works online. It employs content identification technology to automatically link media to its origin and context, facilitating collaboration among creators, media organizations, and developers on metadata within a universal media library. Mediachain's decentralized architecture allows participants to maintain control over their data while expanding their reach. In April 2017, Mediachain became a subsidiary of Spotify USA Inc.
WeMash is a digital platform that connects major content owners, such as movie studios, news organizations, sports entities, and music labels, with emerging creators, including video artists, filmmakers, and musicians. By providing legal access to beloved intellectual properties, WeMash enables creators to re-imagine and build upon established content in innovative ways. This collaboration not only empowers creators to monetize their work but also allows content owners to extend the reach and relevance of their properties through fresh interpretations. The platform fosters a mutually beneficial relationship where both creators and content owners can thrive in the evolving landscape of digital media.
Within (VR/AR)
Seed Round in 2015
Within is the premier destination for innovative, entertaining, and informative story-based virtual reality and augmented reality. We bring together the best immersive experiences from the world's finest VR/AR creators—from gripping tales set in worlds of pure imagination to documentaries taking you further inside the news than ever before.
Within supports all major headsets, including Oculus Quest, Rift, HTC Vive, Sony PlayStation VR, and Samsung Gear VR.
To get started experiencing our ever-growing roster of content, just download our app for iPhone or Android today.
BuzzFeed
Secondary Market in 2014
BuzzFeed, Inc. is a tech-driven media company that specializes in delivering breaking news, original reporting, and entertainment content across various digital platforms. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in New York, BuzzFeed engages a global audience with its diverse offerings, which include articles, quizzes, videos, and lifestyle content through well-known brands such as Tasty. The company also emphasizes investigative journalism through BuzzFeed News and produces original content for multiple formats via BuzzFeed Studios. Additionally, BuzzFeed Commerce focuses on social commerce products, licensing, and strategic partnerships. With a reach of over 200 million users, BuzzFeed aims to create shareable content that resonates across the social web.
Genius Media Group, Inc. operates an online platform that focuses on music intelligence, originally starting as a site for annotating rap lyrics. Founded in 2009 and based in Brooklyn, New York, Genius has evolved to serve a broader audience, providing insights into various music genres beyond hip-hop. The platform attracts over 100 million users monthly, enabling contributors, editors, and musicians to engage in discussions about songs and share their interpretations with a global fan base. In addition to lyrics, Genius features charts and videos, offering a comprehensive view of music and its cultural significance. Renowned artists, including Frank Ocean and Lin-Manuel Miranda, also participate in the platform, contributing their perspectives and enhancing the storytelling aspect of music.
Genius Media Group, Inc. operates an online platform that focuses on music intelligence, originally starting as a site for annotating rap lyrics. Founded in 2009 and based in Brooklyn, New York, Genius has evolved to serve a broader audience, providing insights into various music genres beyond hip-hop. The platform attracts over 100 million users monthly, enabling contributors, editors, and musicians to engage in discussions about songs and share their interpretations with a global fan base. In addition to lyrics, Genius features charts and videos, offering a comprehensive view of music and its cultural significance. Renowned artists, including Frank Ocean and Lin-Manuel Miranda, also participate in the platform, contributing their perspectives and enhancing the storytelling aspect of music.
OmniVirt
Seed Round in 2012
OmniVirt is a technology company based in Millbrae, California, founded in 2012. It specializes in creating an advertising platform that enables the creation and distribution of immersive ads using virtual reality (VR), 360° video, 3D rendering, and augmented reality (AR). The platform allows brands to upload, promote, and analyze their content across a network of publishers and platforms, delivering significantly higher performance than traditional advertising. OmniVirt's technology is compatible with most browsers and trusted by major publishers such as The New York Times, WSJ, Washington Post, and Forbes.
Airtime is a social platform designed to foster genuine online interactions, aiming to create a welcoming environment for users. Founded by Sean Parker, the platform offers various virtual "rooms" where individuals can engage in live conversations about diverse interests, from music to art and comedy. Unlike traditional social networks that often promote isolation, Airtime encourages community building and real-time engagement. The company is supported by prominent investors, including Accel, Andreessen Horowitz, and Google Ventures, and operates with a dedicated team of over 100 employees across three locations. Airtime focuses on enhancing the quality of online social experiences through its innovative video conversation features.
Canvas Networks
Series A in 2011
Canvas Networks operates as an online community platform that facilitates image sharing and collaboration among users. The platform allows individuals to submit, edit, and share images, fostering a creative environment for users to engage with visual content. Through its software application, Canvas Networks enhances the user experience by enabling easy interaction with various images, promoting a community-driven approach to digital creativity.
X (formerly Twitter)
Secondary Market in 2011
Twitter is a social networking platform that facilitates the exchange of micro-blogs, known as "tweets," which can be up to 280 characters in length. Launched in 2006, it allows users to send and read tweets through various means, including web browsers, SMS, and mobile applications. With over 400 million monthly visitors and 255 million active users, Twitter serves as a global real-time communications platform. Its diverse user base includes world leaders, athletes, entertainers, and news organizations, contributing to its role as a significant source of information and engagement. The platform is available in more than 35 languages and has a strong presence in major cities worldwide, with headquarters in San Francisco and offices across the United States and internationally.
Canvas Networks
Seed Round in 2010
Canvas Networks operates as an online community platform that facilitates image sharing and collaboration among users. The platform allows individuals to submit, edit, and share images, fostering a creative environment for users to engage with visual content. Through its software application, Canvas Networks enhances the user experience by enabling easy interaction with various images, promoting a community-driven approach to digital creativity.