Founders Fund

Bonfire Studios is a video game developer based in Irvine, California, founded in 2016. The company creates immersive, multiplayer experiences designed to bring players together through adventure, exploration, and fellowship. Emphasizing teamwork, excellence, and iterative development, Bonfire focuses on learning from players and refining its titles. It also operates a gaming platform that enables the creation of immersive worlds and social gameplay, aiming to empower gamers and foster shared experiences among players.

Turntable Labs: Hang out online with music

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.

Wonder Dynamics is a media-tech startup based in Los Angeles, California, co-founded by Tye Sheridan and Nikola Todorovic. The company specializes in developing AI technology to enhance storytelling, particularly focusing on creating an AI production tool that enables independent filmmakers to achieve high-quality visual effects typically associated with big-budget productions at a significantly lower cost. Their technology also allows viewers to engage in AI-powered conversations with characters in TV shows or movies, thereby enhancing the viewing experience.

Royal is a platform that enables fans to buy ownership stakes in songs directly from their favorite artists, allowing them to earn royalties as the music generates revenue. The platform utilizes non-fungible token (NFT) technology, which allows artists to create and sell their music as limited digital assets. By investing in these assets, fans can participate in the financial success of the artists they support. This innovative approach fosters a direct connection between artists and their audience, transforming the way music ownership and royalties are shared.

Aimi is a company that develops a generative music platform using AI and machine learning to produce continuous, royalty‑cleared music. It offers an API for developers and businesses to integrate on‑demand music into applications, products, and services. The platform blends human creativity with intelligent technology, allowing artists to contribute ideas while protecting intellectual property and ensuring proper credit. It enables businesses to shape listening experiences tailored to their objectives while maintaining high integrity standards.

Royal is a platform that enables fans to buy ownership stakes in songs directly from their favorite artists, allowing them to earn royalties as the music generates revenue. The platform utilizes non-fungible token (NFT) technology, which allows artists to create and sell their music as limited digital assets. By investing in these assets, fans can participate in the financial success of the artists they support. This innovative approach fosters a direct connection between artists and their audience, transforming the way music ownership and royalties are shared.

LIT Videobooks is a New York‑based startup founded in 2018 by Ronak Seth that converts bestselling non‑fiction titles into immersive video books, or “videobooks.” The company targets visual learners, offering a binge‑watch experience that blends narration, animation, and interactive elements. LIT partners directly with more than 100 authors across business, marketing, finance, economics, psychology, self‑help, parenting, health, and wellness, and its production team includes Emmy‑award‑winning producers and animators. All videobooks are distributed exclusively on LIT’s platform, with new releases added each month and a forthcoming all‑access subscription planned. The firm is a fast‑growing, venture‑capital‑backed venture.

Founded in 2018, Portalone is a Norwegian games company specializing in 'hybrid games', which blend elements of traditional gaming and interactive TV shows. The company hosts daily tournaments across various genres, including exclusive Atari titles like Pong and Breakout, with players competing for real prizes. Portalone's unique feature, the Arcade Show, invites celebrities to participate as characters within the game worlds. With a vision to become the global destination for hybrid games, Portalone aims to expand its platform to host hundreds of games across all genres and multiple show formats.

Wonder Dynamics is a media-tech startup based in Los Angeles, California, co-founded by Tye Sheridan and Nikola Todorovic. The company specializes in developing AI technology to enhance storytelling, particularly focusing on creating an AI production tool that enables independent filmmakers to achieve high-quality visual effects typically associated with big-budget productions at a significantly lower cost. Their technology also allows viewers to engage in AI-powered conversations with characters in TV shows or movies, thereby enhancing the viewing experience.

Founded in 2017, Superplastic is a Vermont-based company that creates character-based products and entertainment. It designs limited edition art toys, apparel, games, and animation, collaborating with renowned artists to bring unique characters to life.

Hot Mic Inc. is a social application designed for live television, enabling users to interact with their favorite media personalities in real time. Founded in 2019, the company operates its platform that allows fans to synchronize commentary with their TV viewing experience, fostering engagement with broadcasters through built-in chat and social features. With a focus on providing a diverse range of perspectives, Hot Mic empowers users to tailor their viewing experience according to their interests, whether they seek humor, celebrity insights, or niche commentary. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, California, with an additional location in Lake Bluff, Illinois.

305 Fitness, Inc. is a fitness company that operates dance cardio workout studios, providing a unique blend of high-energy exercise classes. Founded in 2012 by Sadie Kurzban and headquartered in New York, the company offers a variety of fitness experiences, including dance moves, sports drills, conditioning exercises, high-intensity interval training, sprint intervals, sculpting segments, and cool down stretches. Classes are enhanced by the presence of live DJs, creating an engaging atmosphere that encourages self-expression and community. In addition to its flagship locations, 305 Fitness has expanded to areas including the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, California, and Illinois, and also licenses its brand to certified instructors who teach classes in various settings.

Founded in 2017, Superplastic is a Vermont-based company that creates character-based products and entertainment. It designs limited edition art toys, apparel, games, and animation, collaborating with renowned artists to bring unique characters to life.

Toonstar is a digital animation platform that enables users to livestream and record animated content by transforming themselves into cartoon characters through facial recognition. The platform offers avatar customization, voice modulation, and real-time animation capture to produce engaging, personalized animated videos for mobile audiences and social media. It focuses on rapid creation of daily interactive pop culture content and partners with creators to bring virtual influencers to life. Founded in 2014 and based in Los Angeles, Toonstar aims to simplify the production of entertaining animated experiences for communication and entertainment.

Founded in 2018, Portalone is a Norwegian games company specializing in 'hybrid games', which blend elements of traditional gaming and interactive TV shows. The company hosts daily tournaments across various genres, including exclusive Atari titles like Pong and Breakout, with players competing for real prizes. Portalone's unique feature, the Arcade Show, invites celebrities to participate as characters within the game worlds. With a vision to become the global destination for hybrid games, Portalone aims to expand its platform to host hundreds of games across all genres and multiple show formats.

The Alliance of American Football (AAF) is a professional American football league that aims to provide entertainment for sports fans. It features eight teams, each consisting of fifty players, who compete in a season comprising ten matches. The games are streamed live through the league's application, allowing fans to engage with the sport in real-time. In addition to offering competitive play, the AAF provides players with opportunities for post-football careers, including comprehensive bonuses. The league focuses on enhancing the overall experience for both players and fans.

IfOnly operates as an online marketplace dedicated to offering unique experiences that serve both personal enrichment and charitable causes. It connects members with local experts and renowned figures such as athletes, artists, and entertainers, providing access to a carefully curated selection of extraordinary activities. This platform enables users to engage in memorable experiences while also contributing to meaningful causes around the globe. Through its offerings, IfOnly fosters shared interests and connections among its members, allowing them to enjoy exceptional moments every weekend. Additionally, luminaries can promote their talent and build their brands within a safe environment on the IfOnly marketplace, ensuring that their efforts support impactful initiatives.

Hooked is a pioneering entertainment platform that specializes in chat fiction, a novel storytelling format popular among teens and millennials. With over 50 million readers worldwide and top rankings in the App Store across multiple countries, Hooked is transforming digital entertainment. Backed by prominent investors from Silicon Valley and Hollywood, including Ashton Kutcher and Jamie Foxx, the company aims to become the next major player in media.

Brud Inc. is a transmedia studio based in Los Angeles that specializes in the development of digital and robotic characters which are designed to engage audiences across various social platforms. Founded in 2014 and originally known as Miquela Media, the company focuses on creating virtual influencers and character-driven story worlds. Brud combines expertise in robotics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to enhance media experiences, enabling the creation of innovative and popular digital personalities. The company is dedicated to leveraging technology in creative ways to redefine storytelling in the digital age.

Plays.tv, Inc. is a developer of a software platform tailored for gamers that allows them to record, replay, and share their gaming experiences. The flagship product, Plays.tv, enables users to capture high-definition gameplay, create highlight reels, and connect with friends and other gamers through shared content. The platform features tools for automatically editing and tagging gameplay snippets, enhancing the user experience by simplifying the process of creating and sharing videos. In addition to its core software, Plays.tv provides a Web API for accessing a library of highlight videos and a Game Events API that facilitates the creation of personalized highlight reels. Established in 2016 and headquartered in Redwood City, California, Plays.tv aims to foster a community where gamers can relive memorable moments and celebrate their achievements.

Hooked is a pioneering entertainment platform that specializes in chat fiction, a novel storytelling format popular among teens and millennials. With over 50 million readers worldwide and top rankings in the App Store across multiple countries, Hooked is transforming digital entertainment. Backed by prominent investors from Silicon Valley and Hollywood, including Ashton Kutcher and Jamie Foxx, the company aims to become the next major player in media.

IfOnly operates as an online marketplace dedicated to offering unique experiences that serve both personal enrichment and charitable causes. It connects members with local experts and renowned figures such as athletes, artists, and entertainers, providing access to a carefully curated selection of extraordinary activities. This platform enables users to engage in memorable experiences while also contributing to meaningful causes around the globe. Through its offerings, IfOnly fosters shared interests and connections among its members, allowing them to enjoy exceptional moments every weekend. Additionally, luminaries can promote their talent and build their brands within a safe environment on the IfOnly marketplace, ensuring that their efforts support impactful initiatives.

IfOnly operates as an online marketplace dedicated to offering unique experiences that serve both personal enrichment and charitable causes. It connects members with local experts and renowned figures such as athletes, artists, and entertainers, providing access to a carefully curated selection of extraordinary activities. This platform enables users to engage in memorable experiences while also contributing to meaningful causes around the globe. Through its offerings, IfOnly fosters shared interests and connections among its members, allowing them to enjoy exceptional moments every weekend. Additionally, luminaries can promote their talent and build their brands within a safe environment on the IfOnly marketplace, ensuring that their efforts support impactful initiatives.

theAudience, Inc. is a multi-channel publisher specializing in social and digital content. Founded in 2011 and based in Los Angeles, the company offers a range of services including social consulting, influencer activation, content creation, and media buying. It also features the BackStage Publishing Platform, which streamlines the social publishing process through comprehensive workflow and analytics. theAudience enables brands to engage with popular culture by distributing content on a global scale, connecting leading entertainers, brands, and consumers. The company's innovative approach focuses on building meaningful relationships through compelling and shareable content across various social media platforms. As of 2015, theAudience operates as a subsidiary of Al Ahli Holding Group.

Legendary Entertainment is a media company that specializes in creating and distributing content for television and digital platforms globally. The company engages in the development, co-production, co-financing, and distribution of motion pictures, collaborating with other production studios to enhance its offerings. Legendary Entertainment is dedicated to producing content that appeals to mainstream audiences, with a particular emphasis on the influential fandom demographic. Its portfolio includes box-office films, television shows, and comic storylines, reflecting a commitment to delivering engaging entertainment across various media formats.

Lascaux Co. is a company dedicated to revitalizing the enjoyment of art on a large scale. It specializes in developing social networking applications specifically designed for mobile devices, aiming to create an engaging platform that connects users with artistic content and fosters community interaction. Through its innovative approach, Lascaux seeks to make art more accessible and enjoyable for a broader audience, encouraging creativity and participation in the arts.

Portalarium, Inc. is a gaming company established in 2009 and located in Austin, Texas. The company specializes in the development and publication of online social games and virtual worlds, focusing on enhancing the gaming experience through social connectivity. By creating premium games and virtual environments for social media and mobile platforms, Portalarium aims to revolutionize role-playing games, facilitating enjoyable interactions among friends. Their offerings prioritize fun and social gameplay, allowing users to easily connect and engage with one another, regardless of the devices or games they are using.

YouAre.TV offers a participatory broadcast platform that enables users to engage with live video streaming services directly through their webcams. The platform allows audiences to not only watch live shows but also to actively participate by making video calls, enhancing the viewing experience. Users can join in on the interactive content from their phones or desktops. One of the highlights of YouAre.TV's programming is a weekly show featuring Merton, an improv piano player known from Chatroulette, which airs every Wednesday at 10 PM Eastern. This combination of live interaction and entertainment positions YouAre.TV as a unique player in the interactive media landscape.

Fflick is a company that specializes in the organization and analysis of social media data, focusing on the entertainment industry. It develops a web portal that showcases movie trailers, reviews, and ratings. By filtering and analyzing information from various social media platforms, Fflick presents insights in a manner that is both consumable and relevant to users. This approach enhances the way audiences engage with film-related content, making it easier to access valuable information about movies.

Udorse is a seed stage startup that is marrying 3 things people like -- games, photos, and rewards -- to create a whole new type of product people love. Udorse was founded in June, 2009 by Geoffrey Lewis (CEO) and Trevor Austin (CTO), both 26. It received seed funding from Founders Fund. Facebook investor and PayPal Co-Founder serves on Udorse's board of directors. The Company premiered it's private alpha at TechCrunch 50 in September, 2009.

Zivity is a San Francisco-based startup that operates as a premium subscription and fan interaction platform, specializing in adult-themed social networking services. Launched in 2007, Zivity focuses on celebrating artists through the crowdsourced curation and editorial moderation of photography that showcases unique beauty. The platform allows fans to engage freely with artists, support them through microdonations, and provide recurring monthly support. Additionally, users can interact with their favorite contestants and participate in voting, enhancing the connection between fans and artists. Zivity aims to create a vibrant community centered around pinup photography and related content, fostering a deeper understanding of the artists showcased on its platform.