M Ventures

M Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm based in Los Angeles, California, focusing on direct investments in technology companies. Established in 2017, it seeks innovative ideas, technologies, and products that can capitalize on cultural shifts and trends in a diverse global marketplace. The firm primarily invests in information technology and software, targeting companies that have the potential for substantial growth. M Ventures emerged from the merger of two successful seed funds, Cross Culture Ventures and M Ventures, creating a unified approach to identifying and nurturing promising ventures. By concentrating on early-stage opportunities, M Ventures aims to support entrepreneurs in transforming their groundbreaking concepts into impactful businesses.

Ilja Aizenberg

Principal

Jasper Bos

Vice President and Head of Healthcare

Daniel Franke

Associate

Hakan Goker

Managing Director

Keno Gutierrez

Investment Director

Nadiya Ishnazarova

Principal

Alicia Iruzun Lafitte

Principal

Therese Liechtenstein

Senior Investment Director

Zhenni Liu

Partner

Owen Lozman

Vice President and Head of Performance Materials Fund

Sarah Luppino

Associate

Michael Palank

General Partner

Christian Patze

Investment Director

Jennifer Randle

COO

Javier Rodriguez

CFO

Sebastian Schoefer

Senior Associate

Christian Uhrich

Investment Director

Noga Yerushalmi

Investment Director

Tobias Egle@m

Associate

Past deals in Entertainment

Mansa

Seed Round in 2023
Mansa develops a streaming platform featuring black culture. They are removing obstacles and integrating all formats. With tales from all over the world, they're displaying both fresh talent and seasoned pros. With their "Watch Out Loud Feature," they're linking viewers with one another, and with Web3 features, they'll be connecting creators with their audiences.

Ryff

Venture Round in 2021
Ryff Inc. is a company based in Los Angeles, California, that specializes in an artificial intelligence-driven video platform called Placer. Founded in 2018 by executives from the entertainment industry, including CEO Roy Taylor, Ryff aims to transform the $23 billion branded entertainment sector by integrating video game technology with photorealistic 3D models in film and television. This innovative approach allows for real-time manipulation of products, people, and backgrounds in both live and pre-recorded video, addressing the limitations of traditional branded entertainment, which is often a manual process. Ryff's technology enables brands to dynamically integrate their products into content, providing a new revenue model in an era where traditional advertising faces challenges like ad-skipping and increased content proliferation. By offering a new form of premium content that incorporates brand integration, Ryff presents an alternative to traditional subscription and advertising models, positioning itself as a disruptive force in the industry.

Artie

Seed Round in 2021
Artie Inc. operates a mobile gaming platform that allows users to share and play games instantly within popular social applications such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube, and Twitter, without requiring additional app downloads or integration. Founded in 2018 and based in Los Angeles, Artie's technology enables high-quality, Unity-made games to be streamed from the cloud, bypassing traditional app stores and their associated fees. The platform enhances user engagement with next-gen features such as voice, texting, and camera input, fostering deeper interaction between players and games. Artie's team comprises professionals from notable companies like Activision/Blizzard, Disney, and Facebook, contributing expertise in AI, engineering, and interactive storytelling. The company has attracted investment from prominent figures and firms, including Scooter Braun and Warner Music Group, highlighting its innovative approach to mobile gaming and distribution.

Betty Labs

Seed Round in 2020
Betty Labs Incorporated, founded in 2018 and based in Los Angeles, California, specializes in developing sports trivia applications aimed at enhancing fan engagement. The company's flagship product, Sideline, is a live mobile game that allows viewers to win money by making predictions about sports events as they unfold on television. This interactive experience transforms mundane moments into exciting opportunities for competition and social interaction among friends. Additionally, Betty Labs offers Locker Room, a social audio platform that connects fans with sports insiders and athletes for live discussions, creating a space for fans to engage deeply with topics and teams they care about.

Ryff

Venture Round in 2019
Ryff Inc. is a company based in Los Angeles, California, that specializes in an artificial intelligence-driven video platform called Placer. Founded in 2018 by executives from the entertainment industry, including CEO Roy Taylor, Ryff aims to transform the $23 billion branded entertainment sector by integrating video game technology with photorealistic 3D models in film and television. This innovative approach allows for real-time manipulation of products, people, and backgrounds in both live and pre-recorded video, addressing the limitations of traditional branded entertainment, which is often a manual process. Ryff's technology enables brands to dynamically integrate their products into content, providing a new revenue model in an era where traditional advertising faces challenges like ad-skipping and increased content proliferation. By offering a new form of premium content that incorporates brand integration, Ryff presents an alternative to traditional subscription and advertising models, positioning itself as a disruptive force in the industry.

Artie

Pre Seed Round in 2019
Artie Inc. operates a mobile gaming platform that allows users to share and play games instantly within popular social applications such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube, and Twitter, without requiring additional app downloads or integration. Founded in 2018 and based in Los Angeles, Artie's technology enables high-quality, Unity-made games to be streamed from the cloud, bypassing traditional app stores and their associated fees. The platform enhances user engagement with next-gen features such as voice, texting, and camera input, fostering deeper interaction between players and games. Artie's team comprises professionals from notable companies like Activision/Blizzard, Disney, and Facebook, contributing expertise in AI, engineering, and interactive storytelling. The company has attracted investment from prominent figures and firms, including Scooter Braun and Warner Music Group, highlighting its innovative approach to mobile gaming and distribution.

Encantos

Pre Seed Round in 2018
Encantos Media Studios is an entertainment and educational company based in Culver City, California, with additional offices in Los Angeles and New York. Founded in 2015, Encantos creates a diverse range of content, including apps, books, toys, and videos, aimed at empowering creatives to tell their stories. The company connects children with skilled storytellers through an online platform designed to teach essential 21st-century skills. Encantos has garnered recognition through numerous awards and accolades from prestigious organizations such as CNN, Forbes, and The New York Times, highlighting its commitment to quality educational content and innovation in children's media.

FaZe Clan

Seed Round in 2018
FaZe Clan Inc. is an esports and entertainment company founded in 2010 and based in Los Angeles, California. It is recognized for its original content and boasts a highly engaged global fanbase of 215 million across various social media platforms. The company combines elements of gaming and youth culture, offering a diverse range of entertainment that includes video blogs, lifestyle content, gaming highlights, and live streams of competitive tournaments. In addition to its media presence, FaZe Clan also retails apparel and accessories online, further enhancing its brand within the gaming community.

FaZe Clan

Seed Round in 2018
FaZe Clan Inc. is an esports and entertainment company founded in 2010 and based in Los Angeles, California. It is recognized for its original content and boasts a highly engaged global fanbase of 215 million across various social media platforms. The company combines elements of gaming and youth culture, offering a diverse range of entertainment that includes video blogs, lifestyle content, gaming highlights, and live streams of competitive tournaments. In addition to its media presence, FaZe Clan also retails apparel and accessories online, further enhancing its brand within the gaming community.

Macro

Funding Round in 2018
Macro is a disruptive media company focused on the multicultural market. Macro specializes in creating film, television and digital content for a multicultural audience. The company works to marry gifted storytellers with the sorely-needed capital to bring their stories to life, and doing so across traditional and unconventional platforms and distribution channels.

Brat TV

Series B in 2018
Brat TV is a digital production company based in the United States that focuses on creating content aimed at a teenage audience. The company operates a media production platform that empowers individuals with social followings to produce videos on a budget. This platform allows users to engage daily with new episodes, stories, and songs, catering to the interests of youth culture. By prioritizing accessibility and relatability in its programming, Brat TV has established a significant viewing audience among teenagers, positioning itself as a key player in the media landscape targeting younger demographics.
Operator of a professional American football league designed to entertain the audience. The company's league consists of eight teams of fifty-men each competing in ten matches which are also streamed live on the application, enabling players to have a post-football career with comprehensive bonus and the fans to enjoy the game live.

Stampede Ventures

Seed Round in 2018
Stampede Ventures operates as an entertainment studio focused on creating blockbuster franchises across multiple divisions, including film, television, alternative content, and international markets. The company aims to support and promote innovative ideas and talented artists by providing them with the resources and platform necessary to showcase their work on a global scale. By leveraging both traditional and emerging systems within the entertainment industry, Stampede Ventures seeks to foster collaboration among creators and build a vibrant community around compelling storytelling. This approach is designed to amplify the impact of creative projects, driving momentum and engagement in the entertainment landscape.

BESE

Pre Seed Round in 2018
BESE Inc. is a digital media platform that focuses on cultural storytelling to highlight untold narratives reflective of contemporary America. Established in 2017 and headquartered in Los Angeles, California, the company targets millennial and Gen-Z audiences by offering multi-format content that is accessible across various social and digital channels. By reshaping the cultural narrative, BESE aims to provide users with the opportunity to engage with diverse stories and share their own experiences, thereby fostering a more inclusive dialogue in today’s media landscape.
Operator of a professional American football league designed to entertain the audience. The company's league consists of eight teams of fifty-men each competing in ten matches which are also streamed live on the application, enabling players to have a post-football career with comprehensive bonus and the fans to enjoy the game live.

BESE

Seed Round in 2017
BESE Inc. is a digital media platform that focuses on cultural storytelling to highlight untold narratives reflective of contemporary America. Established in 2017 and headquartered in Los Angeles, California, the company targets millennial and Gen-Z audiences by offering multi-format content that is accessible across various social and digital channels. By reshaping the cultural narrative, BESE aims to provide users with the opportunity to engage with diverse stories and share their own experiences, thereby fostering a more inclusive dialogue in today’s media landscape.

Brat TV

Series A in 2017
Brat TV is a digital production company based in the United States that focuses on creating content aimed at a teenage audience. The company operates a media production platform that empowers individuals with social followings to produce videos on a budget. This platform allows users to engage daily with new episodes, stories, and songs, catering to the interests of youth culture. By prioritizing accessibility and relatability in its programming, Brat TV has established a significant viewing audience among teenagers, positioning itself as a key player in the media landscape targeting younger demographics.

Vaunt

Seed Round in 2017
Vaunt was founded in 2014. It is an influencer-based streaming video service offering a new way for fans to connect with and enjoy exclusive access to celebrated personalities. The company is headquartered in New York, New York.

Remezcla

Series A in 2017
Remezcla, LLC is a digital publisher and creative agency focused on music and lifestyle content for Latino millennials in the United States, Latin America, and Spain. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, with additional offices in Los Angeles and Mexico City, Remezcla operates Remezcla.com, which serves as a media, advertising, and entertainment platform. The company emerged from a grassroots initiative among writers and creatives who sought to highlight stories about Latin music, culture, and events that were overlooked by traditional media. Today, Remezcla reaches millions of readers and offers advertising services to major corporations, positioning itself as a significant player in the digital landscape of Latin culture. Their platform features a variety of digital content, including blogs, articles, and videos, aimed at promoting an understanding and appreciation of Latin culture.

Gimlet

Series B in 2017
Gimlet Media Inc. is a digital media company based in Brooklyn, New York, specializing in the production of narrative podcasts. Founded in 2014, Gimlet focuses on creating high-quality audio content that engages listeners and fosters a deeper understanding of various subjects. The company operates a platform that allows users to share, subscribe to, and download its podcast episodes, thereby enhancing audience reach for brands and storytellers. In February 2019, Gimlet Media became a subsidiary of Spotify Technology S.A., further integrating its innovative storytelling approach within the broader digital audio landscape.

Vaunt

Seed Round in 2017
Vaunt was founded in 2014. It is an influencer-based streaming video service offering a new way for fans to connect with and enjoy exclusive access to celebrated personalities. The company is headquartered in New York, New York.

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.

Plexchat

Seed Round in 2017
Plexchat, Inc. is a mobile chat platform designed specifically for gamers, facilitating communication and coordination around gaming interests. Founded in 2015 and based in Redwood City, California, Plexchat offers a mobile application available on both iOS and Android. The platform enables users to connect and engage in meaningful conversations within large open communities, fostering a collaborative environment where gamers can share feedback and coordinate gameplay. Acquired by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment in July 2018, Plexchat aims to enhance the social experience for gamers by providing a dedicated space for interaction in a largely anonymous setting, addressing the chaos often found in broader social networks.

Hooked

Series A in 2017
Hooked, formerly known as Telepathic, is a mobile media company that has pioneered the chat fiction format, appealing primarily to the Snapchat generation. With a readership of 50 million, Hooked has reached the top of the App Store in 25 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, and Japan. The company utilizes proprietary technology and artificial intelligence to analyze billions of data points in order to predict content trends and develop popular media. This innovative approach positions Hooked as a potential leader in the evolving entertainment landscape, akin to future giants like Netflix and Disney. The company has attracted significant venture funding from notable investors in both Silicon Valley and Hollywood, further solidifying its growth and impact in the industry.

Beautycon

Series A in 2017
BeautyCon, LLC is a community-focused organization based in Los Angeles, California, that connects a diverse global network of content creators, celebrities, fans, and brands within the beauty and fashion industry. Founded in 2013, BeautyCon operates as a conference and content portal where fans can engage with online influencers and learn about the latest trends and advice. The company emphasizes the celebration of individuality and self-expression through beauty, challenging traditional standards and embracing imperfections. BeautyCon also offers subscription boxes that feature beauty and lifestyle products, as well as accessories and apparel. Its initiatives, including Beautycon Festivals and Beautycon Digital platforms, foster meaningful connections among creators and audiences, promoting a shared enthusiasm for beauty as a form of self-expression.

Mass Appeal

Series A in 2017
Mass Appeal Media, Inc. is a multifaceted media company that produces and develops documentaries, scripted series, and unscripted formats for the film and television industry. Founded in 1996 and headquartered in New York, it has evolved from its origins as a graffiti magazine into a prominent publisher of urban lifestyle content. The company creates and publishes music, digital video, and editorial content, while also specializing in the production of premium advertising and branded content. Mass Appeal designs and executes marketing campaigns for global brands, reflecting a rich cultural heritage that spans music, art, and fashion. Its unique perspective aims to document the cultural convergence of these elements, engaging opinion leaders and trendsetters in contemporary conversations.

Caffeine

Series B in 2017
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, Caffeine allows users to create and broadcast interactive content, including esports and various forms of entertainment. The platform emphasizes real-time engagement, enabling viewers to watch, chat, and share experiences without delays. Caffeine collaborates with major partners like FOX Sports, ESPN, and Riot Games to offer diverse content that appeals to a wide audience. Additionally, the company maintains a zero-tolerance policy against bullying, hate speech, and racism, fostering a positive environment for its users. Through its platform, Caffeine aims to simplify the creation and distribution of live content while enabling users to monetize their streams and engage with a community of fans across culture, sports, and music.

Gimlet

Series A in 2015
Gimlet Media Inc. is a digital media company based in Brooklyn, New York, specializing in the production of narrative podcasts. Founded in 2014, Gimlet focuses on creating high-quality audio content that engages listeners and fosters a deeper understanding of various subjects. The company operates a platform that allows users to share, subscribe to, and download its podcast episodes, thereby enhancing audience reach for brands and storytellers. In February 2019, Gimlet Media became a subsidiary of Spotify Technology S.A., further integrating its innovative storytelling approach within the broader digital audio landscape.

Afrostream

Venture Round in 2015
Afrostream Inc operates a video-on-demand platform that specializes in African and African-American content. Founded in 2014 and based in Ivry-sur-Seine, France, Afrostream offers subscribers unlimited access to a diverse library of movies, TV series, and stand-up comedies that celebrate black culture. The service caters to a growing global audience, particularly in Africa, where there is significant demand for both local and international content, with millions of people gaining access to broadband internet. Afrostream aims to fill the gap in the market for quality black entertainment, providing users the flexibility to stream content on multiple devices, including PCs, smartphones, and tablets.
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