Knight Foundation

Knight Foundation is a national foundation with deep local connections, dedicated to promoting informed and engaged communities, which it views as vital for a healthy democracy. The foundation invests in journalism, the arts, and the development of cities where its founders, John S. and James L. Knight, once published newspapers. Through its Knight Enterprise Fund, it provides early-stage venture funding specifically aimed at media innovation. By supporting early-stage companies at the intersection of media and technology, Knight Foundation seeks to enhance access to quality information, thereby contributing to the overall well-being of communities.

Alberto Ibargüen

CEO, Co-Founder and President

Raul Moas

Senior Director / Miami

Christopher Thompson

Program Director

Past deals in Media

Amjambo Africa

Grant in 2025
Amjambo Africa is a nonprofit journalism organization that covers issues about diversity and immigration. It is Maine's most inclusive newsroom and publish content.

Public Media Company

Grant in 2024
Public Media Company is a national nonprofit that provides comprehensive consulting services for strengthening, expanding and financing public media in communities nationwide. They are committed to creating market based, regional and national operating solutions that result in more efficient uses of resources that will add value to the public media system.

Signal Cleveland

Grant in 2022
Signal Cleveland offers community members access to the news they require. It publishes authoritative, trustworthy daily journalism on a variety of topics, such as government, economy, education, health, safety, and resilience. Their website is chock-full of explainers and guides to help Cleveland residents navigate life in the city, and it serves as a growing civic tool for the city.

MediaJustice

Grant in 2022
MediaJustice is a national racial justice organizing hub that champions the media and technology rights of communities of color and America’s poor. It's mission is to build a powerful movement for a more just and participatory media and digital world—with racial equity and human rights for all.

CreaTV San José

Venture Round in 2022
CreaTV San Jose provides media and technology services. They offer programmes for communities. They offer services that include classes, submitting content, and production services.

NewsMatch

Grant in 2021
NewsMatch provided the roadmap, tech support, and national exposure.NewsMatch is a testament to the critical role of local news and investigative journalism.

NYC Media Lab

Grant in 2021
NYC Media Lab, founded in 2010, is an accelerator focused on fostering innovation and job growth in media and technology through collaboration between New York City's universities and its businesses. Established as a public-private partnership led by the New York City Economic Development Corporation, the Lab engages member companies, including prominent names like AT&T, ESPN, and NBCUniversal, to participate in roundtable discussions on technology issues and to initiate seed research projects. These projects span various areas, such as adaptive streaming video services and mobile app prototyping, involving collaboration with faculty and students from local institutions. In addition to supporting prototyping projects, NYC Media Lab operates The Combine, an early-stage accelerator for emerging media and technology startups, further enhancing the synergy between academic research and industry needs.

Brown Institute for Media Innovation

Grant in 2021
Brown Institute for Media Innovation is an educational institution that offers UG and PG programs in research and media innovation.

WhereBy.Us

Venture Round in 2018
WhereBy.Us Enterprises Inc is a company that specializes in local content and engagement solutions, helping businesses connect with local customers. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Miami, Florida, the company operates a community development platform that combines media and technology to foster connections within urban environments. It publishes several media brands, including The New Tropic in Miami and The Evergrey in Seattle, which produce original local journalism, curate daily newsletters, and organize experiential events. WhereBy.Us also offers insights through research and strategy consulting, enabling clients to deepen their understanding of local communities and enhance their engagement with residents. The company's platform serves five cities across the United States, effectively reimagining local media for a modern audience.

NewsGuard

Seed Round in 2018
NewsGuard is a company focused on combating the prevalence of fake news by employing trained journalists to evaluate the credibility of the most popular news and information websites in the United States. By analyzing approximately 7,500 websites, NewsGuard aims to provide reliable ratings and detailed assessments through its "Nutrition Labels." These labels help distinguish between credible and unreliable content, enabling users to make informed decisions about the information they consume. The company licenses its ratings to social media platforms, search engines, and other news aggregators, enhancing their ability to deliver trustworthy content to their audiences. NewsGuard's mission is to promote media literacy and accountability in the digital information landscape.

WhereBy.Us

Seed Round in 2018
WhereBy.Us Enterprises Inc is a company that specializes in local content and engagement solutions, helping businesses connect with local customers. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Miami, Florida, the company operates a community development platform that combines media and technology to foster connections within urban environments. It publishes several media brands, including The New Tropic in Miami and The Evergrey in Seattle, which produce original local journalism, curate daily newsletters, and organize experiential events. WhereBy.Us also offers insights through research and strategy consulting, enabling clients to deepen their understanding of local communities and enhance their engagement with residents. The company's platform serves five cities across the United States, effectively reimagining local media for a modern audience.

Blavity

Seed Round in 2017
Blavity, Inc. is a media-tech company founded in 2014 that focuses on creating an online community for multicultural creators and influencers, primarily serving Black millennials. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Blavity operates a network of brands that produce original content, videos, and unique experiences aimed at amplifying the voices of Black creators. The company's platform features curated multimedia content designed to enhance representation and awareness of issues affecting the African diaspora, particularly systemic racism. By partnering with content creators, Blavity helps them reach broader audiences and supports their endeavors, thereby fostering a vibrant community centered on cultural expression and social justice.

The Tab

Venture Round in 2016
The Tab is a media agency founded in 2009 by three students at Cambridge University, designed to provide a fresh perspective on university life and youth culture. The organization operates through a network of young journalists and producers at leading universities in the US and UK, focusing on social news, entertainment, sports, and significant events like protests. With a commitment to breaking stories and engaging content, The Tab has developed a loyal following among young adults aged 18 to 24. Its reporters create original articles and videos that often reach a global audience, establishing The Tab as a prominent voice in youth media. The company's unique approach has allowed it to syndicate content with major news outlets, further amplifying its impact on the media landscape.

Senzari

Venture Round in 2016
Senzari is a technology company specializing in data-driven solutions for the media and entertainment industry. Its flagship product, MusicGraph, employs graph search algorithms and recommendation engines tailored to the music industry, offering personalized music discovery experiences for users.

Blavity

Seed Round in 2016
Blavity, Inc. is a media-tech company founded in 2014 that focuses on creating an online community for multicultural creators and influencers, primarily serving Black millennials. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Blavity operates a network of brands that produce original content, videos, and unique experiences aimed at amplifying the voices of Black creators. The company's platform features curated multimedia content designed to enhance representation and awareness of issues affecting the African diaspora, particularly systemic racism. By partnering with content creators, Blavity helps them reach broader audiences and supports their endeavors, thereby fostering a vibrant community centered on cultural expression and social justice.

Vemba

Series A in 2016
Vemba is a digital publishing technology platform that specializes in video distribution. It offers a player-agnostic solution that enables publishers to seamlessly integrate third-party video content and advertising into their existing editorial processes and workflows. This approach allows media companies to maintain better control over their content while featuring original and complementary videos without the complications associated with third-party players or advertising restrictions. By positioning itself at the center of content transactions, Vemba provides both content owners and publishers with real-time analytics on the performance of their videos and advertisements, irrespective of the underlying video player, ad server, or content delivery network. This functionality aims to enhance audience engagement and maximize revenue potential for media companies.

WhereBy.Us

Seed Round in 2016
WhereBy.Us Enterprises Inc is a company that specializes in local content and engagement solutions, helping businesses connect with local customers. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Miami, Florida, the company operates a community development platform that combines media and technology to foster connections within urban environments. It publishes several media brands, including The New Tropic in Miami and The Evergrey in Seattle, which produce original local journalism, curate daily newsletters, and organize experiential events. WhereBy.Us also offers insights through research and strategy consulting, enabling clients to deepen their understanding of local communities and enhance their engagement with residents. The company's platform serves five cities across the United States, effectively reimagining local media for a modern audience.

RadioPublic

Seed Round in 2016
RadioPublic is an innovative online platform that enhances the podcasting experience for both listeners and creators. It facilitates the discovery and engagement of new podcasts while providing tools for podcasters to connect with their audience and monetize their content. The platform includes features such as embedded web audio players, native podcast applications, and podcast marketing websites. By integrating these resources, RadioPublic supports podcasters in growing their audience and achieving success with their audio storytelling endeavors.

Blavity

Seed Round in 2016
Blavity, Inc. is a media-tech company founded in 2014 that focuses on creating an online community for multicultural creators and influencers, primarily serving Black millennials. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Blavity operates a network of brands that produce original content, videos, and unique experiences aimed at amplifying the voices of Black creators. The company's platform features curated multimedia content designed to enhance representation and awareness of issues affecting the African diaspora, particularly systemic racism. By partnering with content creators, Blavity helps them reach broader audiences and supports their endeavors, thereby fostering a vibrant community centered on cultural expression and social justice.

Gimlet

Series A in 2015
Gimlet Media Inc. is a digital media company founded in 2014 and headquartered in Brooklyn, New York. The company specializes in producing narrative podcasts, focusing on delivering high-quality audio storytelling that engages listeners and fosters understanding of various topics. Gimlet's platform allows users to share, subscribe to, and download podcasts, enhancing accessibility and audience engagement. In 2019, Gimlet became a subsidiary of Spotify Technology S.A., further expanding its reach within the digital media landscape. Through its innovative approach, Gimlet aims to help clients convey compelling narratives while broadening their brand visibility.

The Tab

Venture Round in 2015
The Tab is a media agency founded in 2009 by three students at Cambridge University, designed to provide a fresh perspective on university life and youth culture. The organization operates through a network of young journalists and producers at leading universities in the US and UK, focusing on social news, entertainment, sports, and significant events like protests. With a commitment to breaking stories and engaging content, The Tab has developed a loyal following among young adults aged 18 to 24. Its reporters create original articles and videos that often reach a global audience, establishing The Tab as a prominent voice in youth media. The company's unique approach has allowed it to syndicate content with major news outlets, further amplifying its impact on the media landscape.

Gimlet

Seed Round in 2014
Gimlet Media Inc. is a digital media company founded in 2014 and headquartered in Brooklyn, New York. The company specializes in producing narrative podcasts, focusing on delivering high-quality audio storytelling that engages listeners and fosters understanding of various topics. Gimlet's platform allows users to share, subscribe to, and download podcasts, enhancing accessibility and audience engagement. In 2019, Gimlet became a subsidiary of Spotify Technology S.A., further expanding its reach within the digital media landscape. Through its innovative approach, Gimlet aims to help clients convey compelling narratives while broadening their brand visibility.

Naytev

Seed Round in 2014
Naytev specializes in optimizing the sharing of content from websites to social media, significantly increasing referral traffic by 30%. The company has developed a social media management platform that automates and enhances the distribution of both paid and organic content across various networks. This platform enables users to run advanced campaigns and manage complex social media schedules efficiently, accommodating multiple handles and time zones. By employing machine learning, Naytev can identify and prioritize effective messaging in real-time, allowing organizations to streamline their content strategies while reducing costs and improving overall performance.

The Tab

Venture Round in 2014
The Tab is a media agency founded in 2009 by three students at Cambridge University, designed to provide a fresh perspective on university life and youth culture. The organization operates through a network of young journalists and producers at leading universities in the US and UK, focusing on social news, entertainment, sports, and significant events like protests. With a commitment to breaking stories and engaging content, The Tab has developed a loyal following among young adults aged 18 to 24. Its reporters create original articles and videos that often reach a global audience, establishing The Tab as a prominent voice in youth media. The company's unique approach has allowed it to syndicate content with major news outlets, further amplifying its impact on the media landscape.

Versa

Seed Round in 2014
Versa is a media technology company that focuses on promoting an informed and engaged public through innovative platforms. Its flagship offering, Featured Perspectives, is a unique technology-driven platform that allows organizations, executives, thought leaders, and advocates to provide real-time commentary and analysis on developing news stories. This feature not only generates premium revenue for publishers but also enriches the reader experience by offering high-quality opinions alongside news updates. Additionally, Versa has developed a platform dedicated to open political data, allowing users to access comprehensive information on politicians, groups, issues, and events globally. By facilitating easy access to key political data, Versa aims to engage individuals in political discourse and encourage informed participation in civic matters.

Upworthy

Series A in 2013
Upworthy is an online social media platform focused on changing public attention towards significant issues through impactful storytelling. The company aims to connect individuals by sharing compelling narratives that highlight important topics, fostering a sense of community and engagement. By prioritizing stories that resonate broadly, Upworthy seeks to create a shared understanding among diverse audiences and inspire positive change in the world. Its platform serves as a medium for users to access and discuss essential stories, ultimately promoting a more informed and connected society.

Versa

Seed Round in 2013
Versa is a media technology company that focuses on promoting an informed and engaged public through innovative platforms. Its flagship offering, Featured Perspectives, is a unique technology-driven platform that allows organizations, executives, thought leaders, and advocates to provide real-time commentary and analysis on developing news stories. This feature not only generates premium revenue for publishers but also enriches the reader experience by offering high-quality opinions alongside news updates. Additionally, Versa has developed a platform dedicated to open political data, allowing users to access comprehensive information on politicians, groups, issues, and events globally. By facilitating easy access to key political data, Versa aims to engage individuals in political discourse and encourage informed participation in civic matters.

ViewLift

Debt Financing in 2012
ViewLift is a comprehensive video streaming platform designed for publishers to effectively distribute and monetize their content across various digital devices, including mobile, OTT, IPTV, and Smart TVs. The platform enables companies to connect directly with consumers by streaming video content, thereby reaching targeted audiences in a dynamic media environment. ViewLift offers a range of features, including video monetization, analytics, and content distribution, allowing creators and brands to develop successful business models around their offerings. With its focus on custom branded native applications, ViewLift simplifies the process of engaging viewers and managing content across multiple platforms.
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