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.
Frank Sinatra Enterprises
Pre Seed Round in 2024
Frank Sinatra Enterprises is a specialty record label company based in Santa Monica, California. The company manages an extensive catalog of Frank Sinatra's recordings from the Reprise era, alongside a significant collection of films, television specials, unreleased footage, and various audio and video materials. This enterprise preserves and promotes the legacy of Frank Sinatra, ensuring that his contributions to music and entertainment continue to reach audiences. By leveraging its rich archive, Sinatra Enterprises plays a crucial role in maintaining the cultural significance of Sinatra's work while exploring opportunities for new content and collaborations in the entertainment industry.
Story Protocol
Series B in 2024
Story Protocol is a technology company focused on revolutionizing the creation of narrative universes in the web3 space. Its platform enables creators to develop, own, govern, and license intellectual property on-chain, fostering an ecosystem where story elements can be remixed and composed.
Voldex
Funding Round in 2024
Voldex develops and operates a user-generated content game platform that enables creators to build, host, and monetize experiences across popular titles such as Roblox, Fortnite Creative, and Minecraft. The company provides game development, community engagement, and monetization tools, helping creators reach millions of players worldwide. Founded in 2015, Voldex has a global team of about 60 full-time professionals and is among the leading developers in the UGC games space with several top games and substantial monthly engagement.
Voldex develops and operates a user-generated content game platform that enables creators to build, host, and monetize experiences across popular titles such as Roblox, Fortnite Creative, and Minecraft. The company provides game development, community engagement, and monetization tools, helping creators reach millions of players worldwide. Founded in 2015, Voldex has a global team of about 60 full-time professionals and is among the leading developers in the UGC games space with several top games and substantial monthly engagement.
Carry1st is a full-stack publisher of mobile social games and interactive content focused on frontier markets, particularly Africa. Founded in 2018, it handles publishing, distribution, localization, user acquisition, marketing, monetization, and customer experience for partner games, enabling developers to reach new audiences through global studios. The company operates with a global team across multiple countries and collaborates with leading studios to grow its portfolio in untapped markets. It has raised capital from notable investors, including Riot Games and others, to fund growth and partnerships.
Post News
Seed Round in 2022
Post News is a platform that publishes news and encourages independent writers.
Fanhouse is a social platform designed to facilitate connections between content creators and their most dedicated fans. It enables creators to establish alternate accounts where they can share original and unfiltered content, fostering personal brand development. By providing tools for monetization, Fanhouse allows creators to earn revenue on their own terms, enhancing their engagement with followers while maintaining control over their content.
Beacons
Seed Round in 2021
Founded in 2019, Beacons is a platform that enables creators to build mobile-friendly websites with extensive customization options. It supports various monetization methods such as donations, e-commerce, and affiliate marketing, serving hundreds of thousands of creators across social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter.
Substack operates a subscription-based publishing platform that enables writers to create, publish, and monetize newsletters. The platform supports both free and paid subscriptions and allows content to be published to a reader email list and a website. It includes editing tools and templates to design newsletters and handles subscriber payments, aiming to simplify monetization and direct engagement between writers and readers. Substack focuses on selling subscriptions without advertisements, helping independent writers build audience relationships and revenue streams. The company was founded in 2017 and is based in San Francisco, California.
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.
Substack operates a subscription-based publishing platform that enables writers to create, publish, and monetize newsletters. The platform supports both free and paid subscriptions and allows content to be published to a reader email list and a website. It includes editing tools and templates to design newsletters and handles subscriber payments, aiming to simplify monetization and direct engagement between writers and readers. Substack focuses on selling subscriptions without advertisements, helping independent writers build audience relationships and revenue streams. The company was founded in 2017 and is based in San Francisco, California.
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.
Medium is a social publishing platform that enables writers to publish articles and reach readers through a built-in distribution network. The service provides simple creation tools and a personalized feed, allowing readers to follow people and topics and engage by highlighting, recommending, or commenting on posts. Founded in 2012 by Evan Williams and headquartered in San Francisco, Medium brings together engineers, editors, and creators to blend technology with storytelling. It supports a wide range of topics, from technology and politics to culture and personal development, fostering a community-driven environment where ideas can be shared and discussed.
Medium is a social publishing platform that enables writers to publish articles and reach readers through a built-in distribution network. The service provides simple creation tools and a personalized feed, allowing readers to follow people and topics and engage by highlighting, recommending, or commenting on posts. Founded in 2012 by Evan Williams and headquartered in San Francisco, Medium brings together engineers, editors, and creators to blend technology with storytelling. It supports a wide range of topics, from technology and politics to culture and personal development, fostering a community-driven environment where ideas can be shared and discussed.
Pinterest
Series G in 2015
Pinterest is a visual discovery and bookmarking platform headquartered in San Francisco that enables users to find inspiration and ideas across categories such as recipes, home and fashion, travel, and more. The service presents visual recommendations based on user interests and allows saving images on thematic boards, following others, and sharing ideas. It operates as a social media platform focused on product and idea discovery, with a global user base of more than 500 million monthly active users, two-thirds of whom are female. It was founded in 2008 and generates revenue primarily through digital advertising.
Pinterest
Series G in 2015
Pinterest is a visual discovery and bookmarking platform headquartered in San Francisco that enables users to find inspiration and ideas across categories such as recipes, home and fashion, travel, and more. The service presents visual recommendations based on user interests and allows saving images on thematic boards, following others, and sharing ideas. It operates as a social media platform focused on product and idea discovery, with a global user base of more than 500 million monthly active users, two-thirds of whom are female. It was founded in 2008 and generates revenue primarily through digital advertising.
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.
Pinterest
Series F in 2014
Pinterest is a visual discovery and bookmarking platform headquartered in San Francisco that enables users to find inspiration and ideas across categories such as recipes, home and fashion, travel, and more. The service presents visual recommendations based on user interests and allows saving images on thematic boards, following others, and sharing ideas. It operates as a social media platform focused on product and idea discovery, with a global user base of more than 500 million monthly active users, two-thirds of whom are female. It was founded in 2008 and generates revenue primarily through digital advertising.
Pinterest
Series E in 2013
Pinterest is a visual discovery and bookmarking platform headquartered in San Francisco that enables users to find inspiration and ideas across categories such as recipes, home and fashion, travel, and more. The service presents visual recommendations based on user interests and allows saving images on thematic boards, following others, and sharing ideas. It operates as a social media platform focused on product and idea discovery, with a global user base of more than 500 million monthly active users, two-thirds of whom are female. It was founded in 2008 and generates revenue primarily through digital advertising.
Swiftype, Inc. is a San Francisco-based company that specializes in developing an artificial intelligence-powered enterprise search platform and software for websites and applications. Founded in 2011, Swiftype offers a suite of products, including Site Search and Enterprise Search, which enable organizations to customize their search experiences. The platform allows users to index content from various cloud data sources, facilitating efficient access to information across different sectors, including entertainment, publishing, and government. With tools such as a web crawler and a developer API, Swiftype helps businesses enhance their search capabilities, making it easier for employees and customers to find the information they need. The company has built a strong customer portfolio that includes notable brands like AT&T, Shopify, and HubSpot, and it operates as a subsidiary of Elastic B.V. since 2017.
Pinterest
Series D in 2013
Pinterest is a visual discovery and bookmarking platform headquartered in San Francisco that enables users to find inspiration and ideas across categories such as recipes, home and fashion, travel, and more. The service presents visual recommendations based on user interests and allows saving images on thematic boards, following others, and sharing ideas. It operates as a social media platform focused on product and idea discovery, with a global user base of more than 500 million monthly active users, two-thirds of whom are female. It was founded in 2008 and generates revenue primarily through digital advertising.
Tugboat Yards
Venture Round in 2012
Tugboat Yards is a company that develops tools designed to assist media publishers in expanding their reach, managing operations, monetizing content, and retaining their most valuable audiences. It operates an online platform that facilitates digital publishers in discovering and engaging with their fans while establishing diverse revenue streams. The platform allows publishers to create tailored offers, including personalized experiences, ongoing subscriptions, and both digital and physical goods. By providing these resources, Tugboat Yards aims to enhance the relationship between publishers and their supporters, ultimately fostering sustainable growth in the digital media landscape.
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.
Pinterest
Series C in 2012
Pinterest is a visual discovery and bookmarking platform headquartered in San Francisco that enables users to find inspiration and ideas across categories such as recipes, home and fashion, travel, and more. The service presents visual recommendations based on user interests and allows saving images on thematic boards, following others, and sharing ideas. It operates as a social media platform focused on product and idea discovery, with a global user base of more than 500 million monthly active users, two-thirds of whom are female. It was founded in 2008 and generates revenue primarily through digital advertising.
Hyperink
Venture Round in 2011
Hyperink, Inc. is a self-publishing platform based in San Francisco, California, that enables individuals to publish eBooks across various categories, including biographies, self-help, technology, and more. Founded in 2010, the company offers services such as cover design, layout, and customer support to streamline the publishing process for users. Hyperink's platform allows writers and bloggers to curate and compile their existing content into cohesive books, transforming blogs and articles into published works. The company distributes its eBooks through its own website as well as other online retailers, aiming to democratize the publishing process and empower individuals to share their knowledge and stories with a wider audience.
Pinterest
Series B in 2011
Pinterest is a visual discovery and bookmarking platform headquartered in San Francisco that enables users to find inspiration and ideas across categories such as recipes, home and fashion, travel, and more. The service presents visual recommendations based on user interests and allows saving images on thematic boards, following others, and sharing ideas. It operates as a social media platform focused on product and idea discovery, with a global user base of more than 500 million monthly active users, two-thirds of whom are female. It was founded in 2008 and generates revenue primarily through digital advertising.
Business Insider
Venture Round in 2011
Insider Inc. operates a comprehensive business news website catering to audiences in India and globally. The platform delivers timely information on a wide range of topics including business, technology, finance, politics, lifestyle, and leadership insights. It covers entrepreneurial initiatives, advancements in various fields such as automobiles and gadgets, and offers analysis on the digital landscape, including e-commerce and fintech. Additionally, Insider Inc. aggregates top news stories from various sources and provides in-depth insights and data analysis. The company, originally founded as Business Insider in May 2007, rebranded to Insider Inc. in January 2018 and is headquartered in New York, New York. It also offers advertising services to enhance its revenue streams.
Instagram
Seed Round in 2010
Instagram is a photo and video-sharing platform founded in 2010 by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger. It enables users to capture, edit with custom filters, and share content on various social networks. The platform facilitates user-generated content and targeted advertising, helping businesses connect with younger demographics.
Business Insider
Series D in 2010
Insider Inc. operates a comprehensive business news website catering to audiences in India and globally. The platform delivers timely information on a wide range of topics including business, technology, finance, politics, lifestyle, and leadership insights. It covers entrepreneurial initiatives, advancements in various fields such as automobiles and gadgets, and offers analysis on the digital landscape, including e-commerce and fintech. Additionally, Insider Inc. aggregates top news stories from various sources and provides in-depth insights and data analysis. The company, originally founded as Business Insider in May 2007, rebranded to Insider Inc. in January 2018 and is headquartered in New York, New York. It also offers advertising services to enhance its revenue streams.