Zestworld is helping comic book artists and writers publish their work and earn money from fans. The company's platform enables creators to self-distribute their work, own their fan contact information, engage with their audience in innovative new formats, and crucially to control and monetize their IP rights.
Brainly is an online learning platform where students and parents get homework and study help from peers and experts. With the platform and its group of websites and apps, middle school and high school students are given the opportunity to ask questions freely to the online community comprised of students, parents, and teachers. The software is developed with a mission to help students gain the confidence that comes from helping others and inspire them to learn in a collaborative community. Brainly is backed by Naspers, Kulczyk Investments, General Catalyst Partners, Point Nine Capital, Runa Capital, and Learn Capital. In 2009, Lukasz Haluch, Michał Borkowski, and Tomasz Kraus co-founded the company in Kraków, Malopolskie, Poland and is available in 35 countries.
Screen and code sharing platform for developers.
Collective is an online back-office platform tailored for self-employed individuals, providing a comprehensive suite of services that includes business incorporation, accounting, bookkeeping, and tax support. Founded in 2019 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, Collective leverages technology alongside a team of trusted advisors to streamline administrative tasks, allowing its members to concentrate on their core business activities. In addition to essential business services, Collective fosters a supportive community for its users, enhancing their professional experience. Through its integrated approach, the company aims to transform the operational landscape for solo entrepreneurs.
Remesh Inc. operates an AI-powered platform that facilitates live conversations with customers or employees, allowing users to engage with up to 1,000 participants simultaneously. Founded in 2013 and based in the United States, the company focuses on gathering and analyzing audience responses in real-time. This technology enables organizations to quickly collect valuable insights and opinions, empowering them to make more informed business decisions. By integrating artificial intelligence with market research, Remesh provides a unique solution for advertisers and brands to understand the collective thinking of their target audiences, thus enhancing their ability to communicate effectively and respond to consumer needs.
Catalant Technologies, Inc. is a Boston-based software company that specializes in providing solutions for strategy execution to global enterprises. Founded in 2013 and formerly known as HourlyNerd, the company offers a platform that assists organizations in transforming their strategic objectives into actionable plans. Catalant's software enables businesses to align work, access both internal and external resources, collaborate effectively, and measure the value of their efforts, facilitating faster execution of mission-critical projects. The platform connects enterprises with a global network of over 65,000 experts and more than 27,000 boutique firms, providing a streamlined approach to sourcing expertise on demand. By leveraging best-in-class tools for talent management, Catalant helps clients improve efficiency and effectiveness in achieving their strategic goals.
SaaS app focused on crowd sourcing marketing content while empowering employees
Deliv, Inc. is a crowdsourced, same-day delivery service based in Menlo Park, California, that focuses on enhancing the shopping experience for customers of omnichannel retailers. Founded in 2012, the company allows retailers to integrate a same-day delivery option directly into their online shopping platforms, enabling customers to receive their purchases quickly from local brick-and-mortar stores. This model not only improves delivery speed and convenience but also allows retailers to utilize their physical locations as local distribution centers. Deliv has partnered with nearly 100 national and regional retailers, as well as major mall operators managing approximately 800 malls across the United States. The platform employs a network of highly rated crowdsourced drivers, ensuring quality service through customer feedback and smart routing technology. Currently, Deliv is expanding its services across various geographies, solidifying its position as a competitive alternative to traditional eCommerce giants.
Remesh Inc. operates an AI-powered platform that facilitates live conversations with customers or employees, allowing users to engage with up to 1,000 participants simultaneously. Founded in 2013 and based in the United States, the company focuses on gathering and analyzing audience responses in real-time. This technology enables organizations to quickly collect valuable insights and opinions, empowering them to make more informed business decisions. By integrating artificial intelligence with market research, Remesh provides a unique solution for advertisers and brands to understand the collective thinking of their target audiences, thus enhancing their ability to communicate effectively and respond to consumer needs.
Brainly is an online learning platform where students and parents get homework and study help from peers and experts. With the platform and its group of websites and apps, middle school and high school students are given the opportunity to ask questions freely to the online community comprised of students, parents, and teachers. The software is developed with a mission to help students gain the confidence that comes from helping others and inspire them to learn in a collaborative community. Brainly is backed by Naspers, Kulczyk Investments, General Catalyst Partners, Point Nine Capital, Runa Capital, and Learn Capital. In 2009, Lukasz Haluch, Michał Borkowski, and Tomasz Kraus co-founded the company in Kraków, Malopolskie, Poland and is available in 35 countries.
Catalant Technologies, Inc. is a Boston-based software company that specializes in providing solutions for strategy execution to global enterprises. Founded in 2013 and formerly known as HourlyNerd, the company offers a platform that assists organizations in transforming their strategic objectives into actionable plans. Catalant's software enables businesses to align work, access both internal and external resources, collaborate effectively, and measure the value of their efforts, facilitating faster execution of mission-critical projects. The platform connects enterprises with a global network of over 65,000 experts and more than 27,000 boutique firms, providing a streamlined approach to sourcing expertise on demand. By leveraging best-in-class tools for talent management, Catalant helps clients improve efficiency and effectiveness in achieving their strategic goals.
Catalant Technologies, Inc. is a Boston-based software company that specializes in providing solutions for strategy execution to global enterprises. Founded in 2013 and formerly known as HourlyNerd, the company offers a platform that assists organizations in transforming their strategic objectives into actionable plans. Catalant's software enables businesses to align work, access both internal and external resources, collaborate effectively, and measure the value of their efforts, facilitating faster execution of mission-critical projects. The platform connects enterprises with a global network of over 65,000 experts and more than 27,000 boutique firms, providing a streamlined approach to sourcing expertise on demand. By leveraging best-in-class tools for talent management, Catalant helps clients improve efficiency and effectiveness in achieving their strategic goals.
Un1verse
Seed Round in 2014
Un1verse (Future Lab Inc)
Brainly is an online learning platform where students and parents get homework and study help from peers and experts. With the platform and its group of websites and apps, middle school and high school students are given the opportunity to ask questions freely to the online community comprised of students, parents, and teachers. The software is developed with a mission to help students gain the confidence that comes from helping others and inspire them to learn in a collaborative community. Brainly is backed by Naspers, Kulczyk Investments, General Catalyst Partners, Point Nine Capital, Runa Capital, and Learn Capital. In 2009, Lukasz Haluch, Michał Borkowski, and Tomasz Kraus co-founded the company in Kraków, Malopolskie, Poland and is available in 35 countries.
Yik Yak is a location-based social networking platform that facilitates connections within local communities. The application allows users to share news, ask questions, post pictures, and engage in discussions, fostering an environment for casual and relatable interactions. By focusing on community engagement, Yik Yak enables individuals to connect with like-minded peers, creating a space for both support and humor. The platform is designed to enhance users' experiences by promoting local engagement and interaction, making it a unique tool for discovering and participating in community life.
RealCrowd builds relationships with commercial real estate companies and invests directly in their investment opportunities. This unique crowd-based equity platform was created by experienced commercial real estate investment professionals to allow to decide where the money is invested by offering direct investments. Pooling money with other like-minded investors and working with a seasoned real estate operator with the skills, knowledge, and experience to optimize the asset will remove the traditional barriers to entry that typically exist in commercial real estate investing.
Deliv, Inc. is a crowdsourced, same-day delivery service based in Menlo Park, California, that focuses on enhancing the shopping experience for customers of omnichannel retailers. Founded in 2012, the company allows retailers to integrate a same-day delivery option directly into their online shopping platforms, enabling customers to receive their purchases quickly from local brick-and-mortar stores. This model not only improves delivery speed and convenience but also allows retailers to utilize their physical locations as local distribution centers. Deliv has partnered with nearly 100 national and regional retailers, as well as major mall operators managing approximately 800 malls across the United States. The platform employs a network of highly rated crowdsourced drivers, ensuring quality service through customer feedback and smart routing technology. Currently, Deliv is expanding its services across various geographies, solidifying its position as a competitive alternative to traditional eCommerce giants.
Trover is a visual platform designed for travelers to share their experiences and discover new destinations through community-contributed photos and insights. Accessible via the web and a mobile app, it allows users to showcase beautiful, annotated images from various locations, covering experiences across 175 countries. The platform serves as a source of inspiration for travelers, enabling them to connect with others who share similar interests. Founded by seasoned entrepreneurs Jason Karas and Rich Barton, Trover has garnered significant backing from investors including Concur and Benchmark Capital. Based in Seattle, Washington, it aims to foster a community where travel enthusiasts can gain recognition for their discoveries and enrich their travel experiences through peer recommendations.
Deliv, Inc. is a crowdsourced, same-day delivery service based in Menlo Park, California, that focuses on enhancing the shopping experience for customers of omnichannel retailers. Founded in 2012, the company allows retailers to integrate a same-day delivery option directly into their online shopping platforms, enabling customers to receive their purchases quickly from local brick-and-mortar stores. This model not only improves delivery speed and convenience but also allows retailers to utilize their physical locations as local distribution centers. Deliv has partnered with nearly 100 national and regional retailers, as well as major mall operators managing approximately 800 malls across the United States. The platform employs a network of highly rated crowdsourced drivers, ensuring quality service through customer feedback and smart routing technology. Currently, Deliv is expanding its services across various geographies, solidifying its position as a competitive alternative to traditional eCommerce giants.
Couchsurfing, founded in 2004 by Casey Fenton, Daniel Hoffer, Sebastian Le Tuan, and Leonardo Bassani da Silveira, is a social networking platform that facilitates cultural exchange by connecting travelers with local hosts around the globe. The platform allows individuals to stay in the homes of hosts, fostering a sense of community and offering travelers a more authentic experience while exploring new destinations. In addition to accommodation, Couchsurfing organizes events that further promote interaction among travelers and locals, enabling users to engage with their surroundings in a more meaningful way. By encouraging the sharing of homes and hospitality, Couchsurfing aims to transform travel into a more social and immersive experience.
Locu helps local businesses be found. When businesses add their street address, phone number, hours of operation, and menus / service lists to Locu, Locu gets them on the map in front of over 200 million potential customers online. Instead of having to use multiple sites to manage their business listings and showcase their products and services, businesses can update just once with Locu, and Locu will publish changes in real-time to their web and mobile sites as well as to partner sites including Yelp, Foursquare, OpenTable, YP, TripAdvisor and Facebook.
Thumb is the easiest way for people to express themselves and to discover people like them. The simple act of ‘thumbing’ brings people together in a purpose-driven community that allows people to express what matters most to them, generates instant feedback, and helps people make meaningful connections. Thumb is available on iOS, Android, and via Website at www.thumb.it.
One Inc. is a San Francisco-based company that develops a mobile application designed to facilitate social networking by connecting users with shared interests. The app notifies individuals when others nearby, who have also downloaded the application, share similar interests. By leveraging information from users' social media profiles, the app enhances the interaction experience by helping users discover and engage with like-minded individuals in their vicinity.
Thumb is the easiest way for people to express themselves and to discover people like them. The simple act of ‘thumbing’ brings people together in a purpose-driven community that allows people to express what matters most to them, generates instant feedback, and helps people make meaningful connections. Thumb is available on iOS, Android, and via Website at www.thumb.it.
Collaborate.com is a unified document sharing, task management, and team communication environment for today’s mobile workforce. With native support for iPhone™, iPod Touch™, Android™, and the Web – and out-of-the-box integration with popular cloud services such as Box™, Dropbox™, Evernote™, Google Drive™, Apple iCloud™, and email – teams can get started with Collaborate.com in minutes by visiting the Collaborate.com Web site or downloading the app directly from the App Store or Google Play. Collaborate.com is a service of Boston-based Kibits Corp. The company was founded in 2011 by seasoned entrepreneurs Matt Cutler and David Greenstein and is backed by Google Ventures, Charles River Ventures, General Catalyst, SOS Ventures, Commonwealth Capital Ventures, Launch Capital, and others.
Hunch is a consumer web application that aims to create a comprehensive "taste graph" of the internet, linking individuals to various entities based on their preferences. These entities can include websites, cookbooks, hotel rooms, celebrities, and restaurants. By engaging users with a series of thought-provoking questions, Hunch builds personalized taste profiles that inform tailored recommendations. The topics covered in these questions can range from light-hearted themes, like identifying with a superhero, to practical inquiries, such as switching operating systems. Utilizing the responses, Hunch generates personalized suggestions, or "hunches," to help users discover what they might enjoy, effectively functioning as a collective intelligence decision-making system that connects people through shared interests.
Article One Partners, LLC is an intellectual property research community based in New York, New York, that connects companies with a global network of technology experts. Founded in 2008, the company offers clients valuable insights to support informed decision-making related to intellectual property. Its services include AOP TalentSource, which matches client needs in emerging technology with experienced professionals from its extensive community. The platform leverages a crowd of over 30,000 researchers to identify relevant patents and prior art, providing essential information for sectors such as medical diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, and software. By assisting Fortune 100 companies and U.S. patent filers, Article One Partners helps improve patent quality and manage intellectual property strategically throughout its lifecycle. As of 2017, the company operates as a subsidiary of RWS Holdings plc.
Hot Potato is a company focused on enhancing social interactions around live events. It provides tools that enable friends and fans to connect and collaborate in real-time during various experiences. Users can check in, share their perspectives, and engage with contributions from others, making participation in events more enjoyable and interactive. The platform aims to foster a sense of community among individuals who share common interests in live occurrences, enhancing the overall experience of attending events.
Hunch is a consumer web application that aims to create a comprehensive "taste graph" of the internet, linking individuals to various entities based on their preferences. These entities can include websites, cookbooks, hotel rooms, celebrities, and restaurants. By engaging users with a series of thought-provoking questions, Hunch builds personalized taste profiles that inform tailored recommendations. The topics covered in these questions can range from light-hearted themes, like identifying with a superhero, to practical inquiries, such as switching operating systems. Utilizing the responses, Hunch generates personalized suggestions, or "hunches," to help users discover what they might enjoy, effectively functioning as a collective intelligence decision-making system that connects people through shared interests.
Roost operates as a marketplace that links individuals in need of storage or parking solutions with neighbors offering extra space in their properties, such as garages and basements. Founded in 2007 and based in San Francisco, Roost is positioned to disrupt the $24 billion self-storage industry and the $10 billion parking industry by providing a more accessible and community-oriented alternative. The platform not only facilitates cost-effective storage options but also fosters community engagement and promotes environmentally friendly practices. By connecting over 30,000 customers across various sectors, Roost aims to create financial benefits for users while enhancing local neighborhoods.
Roost operates as a marketplace that links individuals in need of storage or parking solutions with neighbors offering extra space in their properties, such as garages and basements. Founded in 2007 and based in San Francisco, Roost is positioned to disrupt the $24 billion self-storage industry and the $10 billion parking industry by providing a more accessible and community-oriented alternative. The platform not only facilitates cost-effective storage options but also fosters community engagement and promotes environmentally friendly practices. By connecting over 30,000 customers across various sectors, Roost aims to create financial benefits for users while enhancing local neighborhoods.
BzzAgent, Inc. is a social marketing company that facilitates word-of-mouth campaigns through a network of consumers who voluntarily share their experiences with various products and services. Founded in 2001 and based in Boston, Massachusetts, BzzAgent operates primarily in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The company enables consumers to discover and evaluate products, fostering discussions through social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and blogs. BzzAgent specializes in creating influencer marketing programs that generate authentic content and reviews, helping brands build trust and influence purchasing decisions. As a pioneer in influencer marketing, BzzAgent has over 15 years of experience collaborating with major brands to drive sales in a scalable and measurable manner. In 2018, BzzAgent became a subsidiary of PowerReviews, Inc.
OnForce, Inc. operates an online platform designed to connect skilled professionals with companies seeking their services. Founded in 2003 and based in Lexington, Massachusetts, OnForce enables businesses to search for, negotiate with, and engage a preferred talent pool, facilitating the management of independent worker relationships. The company's Converge platform is a cloud-based solution that helps organizations efficiently engage, manage, and compensate their freelancers and independent contractors. By providing tools to mitigate risks related to worker misclassification, OnForce allows companies of varying sizes and industries to enhance their operational capabilities, reduce service costs, and tap into new revenue streams. As of 2017, OnForce operates as a subsidiary of Work Market Inc.