Bonfire Studios
Series B in 2025
Bonfire Studios, Inc., founded in 2016 and located in Irvine, California, specializes in the development of video games. The company aims to foster connections among players through engaging and immersive gaming experiences that emphasize adventure, exploration, and fellowship. Bonfire Studios is committed to creating quality games that not only entertain but also promote teamwork and collaboration among players. By focusing on innovation and iteration, the company seeks to empower gamers and build a sense of community within its gaming environments.
Haz
Pre Seed Round in 2024
Haz is an AI-driven social commerce software that facilitates connections among friends based on personal possessions. The platform is designed to track and unlock the resale value of items users own, utilizing artificial intelligence to automatically digitize these possessions from the point of purchase. This innovative approach allows users to receive offers for items they have not actively listed for sale, enabling them to monetize unwanted goods. In doing so, Haz creates a unique environment for users to engage with friends and like-minded individuals, promoting a new avenue for social interaction through the exchange of goods.
Quora
Venture Round in 2024
Quora Inc. operates an online question-and-answer platform that facilitates knowledge sharing among users worldwide. Founded in 2009 and based in Mountain View, California, Quora allows individuals to post questions, provide answers, and engage in discussions on a diverse range of topics, including science, technology, business, health, and entertainment. The platform is designed to connect those seeking information with those able to provide insights, creating a community-driven environment for learning and sharing. In addition to its core functionality, Quora offers advertising opportunities for businesses looking to reach its user base.
Kindred is a unique travel company focused on creating a trusted network for exchanging homes. Unlike traditional vacation rental platforms, Kindred operates as a members-only network where participants must host their own homes to remain guests. This model fosters a higher level of trust among members, who are peers looking to travel more frequently rather than professional hosts renting investment properties. By eliminating cash exchanges between guests and hosts, Kindred enables its members to enjoy a travel-rich lifestyle at a significantly lower cost compared to hotels or traditional vacation rentals.
Partiful is an online platform designed to facilitate the planning and organization of social events. It enables users to create and manage various types of gatherings, ranging from intimate dinners to larger parties, thereby fostering real-world connections among attendees. The platform simplifies the invitation process by allowing users to invite guests, including friends-of-friends, even when contact details are unavailable. By focusing on enhancing social interactions, Partiful aims to help individuals cultivate meaningful friendships and create memorable experiences through its user-friendly event planning tools.
PROOF Collective
Series A in 2022
PROOF is an NFT platform that provides access to private Discord, early access to the PROOF podcast, and in-person events.
Clockwork Labs
Series A in 2022
Clockwork Labs is a game studio dedicated to creating massively-multiplayer societal games that prioritize social interaction and cooperation over traditional combat mechanics. The studio develops a crypto-based role-playing gaming platform that allows users to engage in an immersive online experience where they can personalize virtual land according to their preferences. This innovative approach not only enhances player engagement but also facilitates participation in the cryptocurrency ecosystem, enabling players to earn rewards in the form of mint Hex cryptocurrency coins. Through its unique blend of gaming and blockchain technology, Clockwork Labs aims to redefine how players interact within virtual worlds.
StartPlaying
Seed Round in 2022
StartPlaying is a gameplay community platform founded in 2020 and based in San Francisco, California. It connects players with tabletop role-playing games and professional game masters across various game systems. The platform allows users to join games individually or as part of a group, offering tailored options for custom and corporate events. By facilitating the booking of interactive gaming experiences hosted by skilled players, StartPlaying enhances the enjoyment and accessibility of tabletop gaming for a diverse audience.
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.
One More Game
Series A in 2022
One More Game, Inc. is an online game development company founded in 2019 and based in Bellevue, Washington. The company specializes in designing and developing genre-defining online games, catering to various platforms including home video consoles and smartphones. Its focus on interactive content allows for social interactions among players and facilitates rapid game iterations, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
Battlebound
Seed Round in 2022
Battlebound leverages blockchain technology to develop play-to-earn games, focusing on a multiplayer social platform that enhances the creature-collecting genre. The company's platform allows all players to share the value generated by engaging with video games they enjoy. Players can create servers, participate in mini-games, and interact with community members within a gaming environment.
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.
Core Loop Games
Series A in 2021
Core Loop Games Inc. is a game development company based in Oakland, California, established in 2020. The company specializes in creating massively multiplayer online games (MMOs) with a focus on enhancing gameplay and social cooperation among players. Core Loop Games aims to innovate the way players interact and collaborate on a large scale, striving to redefine the MMO experience. Founded by industry veterans from companies such as MachineZone, GREE, and Funzio, Core Loop Games is supported by venture capital and is in the process of assembling a remote team of engineers and artists to realize its vision.
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.
Reddit, established in 2005, operates as a social news aggregation, web content rating, and discussion website. It facilitates users to submit links, create content, and engage in discussions on a wide array of topics, from gaming and sports to business and cryptocurrency.
Run The World
Series A in 2020
Run The World, Inc. is a digital platform that specializes in facilitating live online events, enabling users to plan, host, and attend engaging virtual gatherings. Founded in 2019 and based in Mountain View, California, the company provides a variety of customizable event templates that allow organizers to easily create and manage events. Its platform promotes interaction among attendees through features such as attendee lists, fireside chats, and networking opportunities, creating a space for meaningful conversations and collaboration. Run The World aims to help professional organizations conduct more frequent meetings and engage members effectively, all while minimizing financial and time constraints. By leveraging proprietary technology, the platform offers innovative formats that enhance the online event experience, making it accessible to a global audience.
Sleeper is a developer of a sports platform focused on fantasy leagues and eSports, designed to foster community and connection among fans. Its platform allows users to engage in various fantasy sports games while facilitating communication through chat features and real-time updates. By providing instant advice from experts and push notifications, Sleeper enhances the user experience and keeps fans informed. The platform not only enables users to participate in competitive games but also aims to create lasting memories and friendships, promoting a communal enjoyment of sporting events.
Run The World
Seed Round in 2020
Run The World, Inc. is a digital platform that specializes in facilitating live online events, enabling users to plan, host, and attend engaging virtual gatherings. Founded in 2019 and based in Mountain View, California, the company provides a variety of customizable event templates that allow organizers to easily create and manage events. Its platform promotes interaction among attendees through features such as attendee lists, fireside chats, and networking opportunities, creating a space for meaningful conversations and collaboration. Run The World aims to help professional organizations conduct more frequent meetings and engage members effectively, all while minimizing financial and time constraints. By leveraging proprietary technology, the platform offers innovative formats that enhance the online event experience, making it accessible to a global audience.
Developer of a social platform designed for gamers to find new pals and earn money while playing. The company offers a place where gamers build together as a community to share their passion for games and can find the perfect teammate for their game whether they are looking for coaching, conversation or just making new friends, enabling gamers to find perfect gaming teammates to team up and socialize with.
One More Game
Seed Round in 2019
One More Game, Inc. is an online game development company founded in 2019 and based in Bellevue, Washington. The company specializes in designing and developing genre-defining online games, catering to various platforms including home video consoles and smartphones. Its focus on interactive content allows for social interactions among players and facilitates rapid game iterations, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
Reddit, established in 2005, operates as a social news aggregation, web content rating, and discussion website. It facilitates users to submit links, create content, and engage in discussions on a wide array of topics, from gaming and sports to business and cryptocurrency.
Bigscreen
Series A in 2017
Bigscreen, Inc., founded in 2014 and headquartered in Berkeley, California, is a company that develops a social virtual desktop application allowing users to experience their computer in virtual reality on virtual screens. The platform supports a variety of use cases, including entertainment and productivity, enabling users to watch movies and TV shows, play video games, browse the web, and collaborate with remote teams in virtual offices. Since its beta launch in 2016, Bigscreen has gained significant popularity, becoming one of the highest-rated VR applications available, with a 93% positive rating on Steam. It is recognized as the most popular non-gaming VR application globally, with dedicated users spending 20-30 hours per week on the platform. Bigscreen operates as a fully distributed remote company, employing personnel located across the United States and the United Kingdom.
Reddit, established in 2005, operates as a social news aggregation, web content rating, and discussion website. It facilitates users to submit links, create content, and engage in discussions on a wide array of topics, from gaming and sports to business and cryptocurrency.
Bigscreen
Seed Round in 2017
Bigscreen, Inc., founded in 2014 and headquartered in Berkeley, California, is a company that develops a social virtual desktop application allowing users to experience their computer in virtual reality on virtual screens. The platform supports a variety of use cases, including entertainment and productivity, enabling users to watch movies and TV shows, play video games, browse the web, and collaborate with remote teams in virtual offices. Since its beta launch in 2016, Bigscreen has gained significant popularity, becoming one of the highest-rated VR applications available, with a 93% positive rating on Steam. It is recognized as the most popular non-gaming VR application globally, with dedicated users spending 20-30 hours per week on the platform. Bigscreen operates as a fully distributed remote company, employing personnel located across the United States and the United Kingdom.
Bonfire Studios
Venture Round in 2016
Bonfire Studios, Inc., founded in 2016 and located in Irvine, California, specializes in the development of video games. The company aims to foster connections among players through engaging and immersive gaming experiences that emphasize adventure, exploration, and fellowship. Bonfire Studios is committed to creating quality games that not only entertain but also promote teamwork and collaboration among players. By focusing on innovation and iteration, the company seeks to empower gamers and build a sense of community within its gaming environments.
Medium is a San Francisco-based publishing platform founded in 2012 by Evan Williams. It enables users to read, write, and engage with insightful stories and ideas on a wide range of topics. The platform offers simple creation tools for writers, combined with a larger distribution network, allowing both amateur and professional writers to build audiences and foster meaningful conversations. Readers can personalize their content feed by following people and topics they're interested in, and engage with posts through highlights, recommendations, or responses. Medium combines the power of social networking with high-quality storytelling, creating a community-driven environment where diverse perspectives and ideas thrive.
Medium is a San Francisco-based publishing platform founded in 2012 by Evan Williams. It enables users to read, write, and engage with insightful stories and ideas on a wide range of topics. The platform offers simple creation tools for writers, combined with a larger distribution network, allowing both amateur and professional writers to build audiences and foster meaningful conversations. Readers can personalize their content feed by following people and topics they're interested in, and engage with posts through highlights, recommendations, or responses. Medium combines the power of social networking with high-quality storytelling, creating a community-driven environment where diverse perspectives and ideas thrive.
Pinterest
Series G in 2015
Pinterest, Inc. is a visual discovery engine that enables users to find inspiration for various aspects of their lives, such as recipes, home decor, fashion, and travel. Launched in 2010 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, the platform allows users to save and organize images on curated boards tailored to their personal interests. With a user base of nearly 500 million monthly active users, a significant portion of whom are female, Pinterest facilitates the discovery and sharing of creative ideas. The company generates revenue primarily through digital advertising and is increasingly incorporating e-commerce features within its platform. Although about 20% of its users are located in the US and Canada, this region accounted for approximately 80% of its revenue in 2023.
Pinterest
Series G in 2015
Pinterest, Inc. is a visual discovery engine that enables users to find inspiration for various aspects of their lives, such as recipes, home decor, fashion, and travel. Launched in 2010 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, the platform allows users to save and organize images on curated boards tailored to their personal interests. With a user base of nearly 500 million monthly active users, a significant portion of whom are female, Pinterest facilitates the discovery and sharing of creative ideas. The company generates revenue primarily through digital advertising and is increasingly incorporating e-commerce features within its platform. Although about 20% of its users are located in the US and Canada, this region accounted for approximately 80% of its revenue in 2023.
Glow, Inc. is a company focused on women's health, particularly in the areas of fertility, pregnancy, and reproductive well-being. Founded in 2013 and based in San Francisco, it develops and operates mobile applications designed to offer information and support throughout various phases of women's reproductive health. Its primary offerings include Ruby By Glow, which provides period and ovulation tracking alongside health and sex education; Glow, an ovulation calculator; and Glow Nurture, a pregnancy tracking solution. Additionally, Glow offers a community fund program aimed at making infertility treatment more accessible through collective risk pooling among couples. This non-profit initiative also provides financial assistance to accredited infertility clinics for couples who do not achieve pregnancy. Glow's applications utilize data analysis to help users track their cycles and enhance fertility outcomes, offering resources and support for those experiencing pregnancy loss as well.
Pinterest
Series F in 2014
Pinterest, Inc. is a visual discovery engine that enables users to find inspiration for various aspects of their lives, such as recipes, home decor, fashion, and travel. Launched in 2010 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, the platform allows users to save and organize images on curated boards tailored to their personal interests. With a user base of nearly 500 million monthly active users, a significant portion of whom are female, Pinterest facilitates the discovery and sharing of creative ideas. The company generates revenue primarily through digital advertising and is increasingly incorporating e-commerce features within its platform. Although about 20% of its users are located in the US and Canada, this region accounted for approximately 80% of its revenue in 2023.
TinyCo, founded in 2009 by Suli Ali, is a mobile game development company that focuses on creating engaging gaming experiences based on popular entertainment franchises. The company has developed over a dozen successful games, including titles like Marvel Avengers Academy and Family Guy: The Quest for Stuff, available on major platforms such as the App Store, Google Play Store, and Amazon App Store. TinyCo aims to deliver enjoyable mobile entertainment that brings happiness to users in short increments of time. The company’s portfolio consists of high-quality free-to-play games designed to enhance social gaming experiences. TinyCo was acquired by Jam City, a leading global mobile entertainment company known for its innovative and narrative-rich games that feature iconic brands.
Pinterest
Series E in 2013
Pinterest, Inc. is a visual discovery engine that enables users to find inspiration for various aspects of their lives, such as recipes, home decor, fashion, and travel. Launched in 2010 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, the platform allows users to save and organize images on curated boards tailored to their personal interests. With a user base of nearly 500 million monthly active users, a significant portion of whom are female, Pinterest facilitates the discovery and sharing of creative ideas. The company generates revenue primarily through digital advertising and is increasingly incorporating e-commerce features within its platform. Although about 20% of its users are located in the US and Canada, this region accounted for approximately 80% of its revenue in 2023.
App.net is an ad-free, subscription-based social networking and development platform that was launched in August 2012. Owned and operated by Mixed Media Labs, which was founded by CEO Dalton Caldwell and CTO Bryan Berg, the company aims to serve as the backbone of the social web. App.net provides a robust infrastructure that enables developers to create various social applications, including group messaging, photo and document sharing, and microblogging. The platform focuses on facilitating meaningful interactions among its members while maintaining a commitment to an uninterrupted user experience free from advertisements.
Glow, Inc. is a company focused on women's health, particularly in the areas of fertility, pregnancy, and reproductive well-being. Founded in 2013 and based in San Francisco, it develops and operates mobile applications designed to offer information and support throughout various phases of women's reproductive health. Its primary offerings include Ruby By Glow, which provides period and ovulation tracking alongside health and sex education; Glow, an ovulation calculator; and Glow Nurture, a pregnancy tracking solution. Additionally, Glow offers a community fund program aimed at making infertility treatment more accessible through collective risk pooling among couples. This non-profit initiative also provides financial assistance to accredited infertility clinics for couples who do not achieve pregnancy. Glow's applications utilize data analysis to help users track their cycles and enhance fertility outcomes, offering resources and support for those experiencing pregnancy loss as well.
Swell is a voice-based social platform that facilitates asynchronous audio conversations, allowing users to engage in discussions without the need for simultaneous online participation. The application enables listeners to share ideas, ask questions, and tell stories through audio posts, fostering an interactive and engaging environment. Users can respond with their own audio contributions, promoting a dynamic exchange of perspectives and experiences. The platform supports posts that can include links, photos, and audio clips of up to five minutes, encouraging authentic conversations and community building.
Pinterest
Series D in 2013
Pinterest, Inc. is a visual discovery engine that enables users to find inspiration for various aspects of their lives, such as recipes, home decor, fashion, and travel. Launched in 2010 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, the platform allows users to save and organize images on curated boards tailored to their personal interests. With a user base of nearly 500 million monthly active users, a significant portion of whom are female, Pinterest facilitates the discovery and sharing of creative ideas. The company generates revenue primarily through digital advertising and is increasingly incorporating e-commerce features within its platform. Although about 20% of its users are located in the US and Canada, this region accounted for approximately 80% of its revenue in 2023.
8tracks
Seed Round in 2012
8tracks, Inc. is an internet radio service founded in 2006 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, with additional offices in New York and Los Angeles. The platform allows users to create and share playlists, known as mixtapes, that must include at least eight tracks. Emphasizing a social networking aspect, 8tracks enables music enthusiasts to explore curated playlists based on various themes, artists, genres, or activities. By providing a legal, radio-style streaming experience, it serves as an alternative to traditional music services, focusing on user-generated content and fostering community engagement around music discovery.
Pinterest
Series C in 2012
Pinterest, Inc. is a visual discovery engine that enables users to find inspiration for various aspects of their lives, such as recipes, home decor, fashion, and travel. Launched in 2010 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, the platform allows users to save and organize images on curated boards tailored to their personal interests. With a user base of nearly 500 million monthly active users, a significant portion of whom are female, Pinterest facilitates the discovery and sharing of creative ideas. The company generates revenue primarily through digital advertising and is increasingly incorporating e-commerce features within its platform. Although about 20% of its users are located in the US and Canada, this region accounted for approximately 80% of its revenue in 2023.
SKOUT
Venture Round in 2012
Skout, Inc. is a social networking company founded in 2007 and headquartered in San Francisco, California. The platform serves as a global app designed to help users meet new people and expand their social circles, facilitating connections in over 180 countries and available in 16 languages. Users can engage with one another through chat, photo sharing, and virtual gifts, enhancing their social experiences. In 2015, Skout facilitated over 680 million connections and enabled users to embark on more than 16 million virtual journeys through its Travel feature. As of 2016, Skout operates as a subsidiary of MeetMe, Inc.
FamilyLeaf
Seed Round in 2012
FamilyLeaf is a private place to share your life with your family. You create a private page where your family can easily share photos, share life updates, store contact information, and post messages. Our mission is to bring families around the world closer together. Family is the most irreplaceable but overlooked social network; we want to help you share the little things that build a lifetime of love!
Pinterest
Series B in 2011
Pinterest, Inc. is a visual discovery engine that enables users to find inspiration for various aspects of their lives, such as recipes, home decor, fashion, and travel. Launched in 2010 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, the platform allows users to save and organize images on curated boards tailored to their personal interests. With a user base of nearly 500 million monthly active users, a significant portion of whom are female, Pinterest facilitates the discovery and sharing of creative ideas. The company generates revenue primarily through digital advertising and is increasingly incorporating e-commerce features within its platform. Although about 20% of its users are located in the US and Canada, this region accounted for approximately 80% of its revenue in 2023.
Circle is the app that answers the question, "Who’s Around You?" Know when your friends & networks are nearby, wherever you are, no matter where you go. Circle tells you when your friends, or people from your networks (college, work, hometown, professional group, etc.), are near you. You'll be magically notified whenever they're around. Circle is an award-winning app, featured by Apple in over 50 countries and many of the top press publications.
Wikets
Venture Round in 2011
Wikets, Inc. is a social commerce startup based in Lexington, Massachusetts, founded in 2008. The company has developed an iPhone application that facilitates browsing, shopping, and recommending products from various retailers. Users can follow friends' recommendations and build a shopping network, as well as initiate a "wiket" to curate a personalized social store. The application incentivizes user engagement by rewarding points for purchases and successful recommendations, which can later be redeemed for gift cards. Through its platform, Wikets aims to enhance the shopping experience by fostering connections and trust among users.
TinyCo, founded in 2009 by Suli Ali, is a mobile game development company that focuses on creating engaging gaming experiences based on popular entertainment franchises. The company has developed over a dozen successful games, including titles like Marvel Avengers Academy and Family Guy: The Quest for Stuff, available on major platforms such as the App Store, Google Play Store, and Amazon App Store. TinyCo aims to deliver enjoyable mobile entertainment that brings happiness to users in short increments of time. The company’s portfolio consists of high-quality free-to-play games designed to enhance social gaming experiences. TinyCo was acquired by Jam City, a leading global mobile entertainment company known for its innovative and narrative-rich games that feature iconic brands.
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.
Tasty Labs
Series A in 2010
Tasty Labs is a startup founded by Joshua Schachter, known for creating Delicious, alongside Paul Rademacher, a former Google employee, and Nick Nguyen, the former Director of Add-Ons at Mozilla. The company focuses on enhancing social software by facilitating connections between users and problem solvers. Tasty Labs offers a social recommendation service that aims to integrate practical utility into social interactions, allowing users to navigate challenges collaboratively.
Top Prospect
Seed Round in 2010
Top Prospect, Inc. is a social recruiting platform based in San Francisco, California, designed to facilitate job referrals among users. The platform allows individuals to connect through LinkedIn and Facebook, enabling them to recommend friends for various job opportunities. When a referral leads to a successful hire, the individual who made the introduction is rewarded with a referral bonus, fostering a culture of recognition for effective networking. By making the referral process transparent and accessible, Top Prospect enhances the reach of both employers and job seekers. The company has established partnerships with several organizations, including notable names such as Asana and Path, and continues to expand its network with new collaborations.
Zynga Inc., established in 2007, is a leading global developer, publisher, and operator of social games. The company's portfolio spans over 6 billion downloads across 175 countries, featuring popular franchises like FarmVille, Words With Friends, and Zynga Poker. Zynga's games are played on mobile platforms (iOS, Android) and social networking sites, with revenue generated through game downloads, in-game purchases, and advertising services. The company's headquarters are in San Francisco, California, with additional locations in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Plant Story operates an online marketplace that facilitates the buying and selling of plants through an application. The company provides gardening businesses with tools for plant identification using a scanner, and fosters a global community of plant enthusiasts. By collaborating with nurseries, influencers, and gardening websites, Plant Story enables users to share gardening knowledge and resources, promoting a collective effort towards sustainable gardening practices. Additionally, the platform offers plant care information and connects individuals passionate about plants, supporting a greener future.