Hearst Ventures

Hearst Ventures, established in 1995, is the corporate venture capital arm of The Hearst Corporation, a diversified American media and information company. Based in New York, the firm strategically invests in companies operating at the intersection of media, information, and technology. With a focus on the media, entertainment, and interactive technologies sectors, Hearst Ventures seeks to support innovative businesses that align with its parent company's extensive portfolio, which includes newspapers, magazines, television stations, cable networks, and digital media platforms.

Kenneth Bronfin

Senior Managing Director and Head of International Investments

Gil Canaani

Managing Director and General Manager, Israel

Scott English

Senior Managing Director and Head of US Investments

David Famolari

Managing Director

Darcy Frisch

Managing Director and Vice President

Richard Malloch

Executive Vice President

Past deals in Advertising

Optable

Series A in 2025
Optable is a provider of data collaboration and clean room solutions tailored for the advertising ecosystem, addressing the challenges posed by privacy regulations. The company offers a platform that facilitates secure audience data matching and activation, enabling advertisers, publishers, and data companies to effectively collaborate while preserving user privacy. Optable's approach emphasizes a decentralized method for enhancing audience addressability, allowing for the safe onboarding and comparison of audience data among partners. By integrating with ad delivery platforms, Optable enables seamless campaign deployment directly from its clean room, positioning itself as a unique solution in the market that prioritizes secure and efficient data collaboration.

Motor Trend

Acquisition in 2024
MotorTrend Group is the largest automotive media company in the world, incorporating a direct-to-consumer network, an extensive automotive digital operation, a massive social media presence, and a live event portfolio—all driven by industry-leading brands including MotorTrend, HOT ROD, and Roadkill. the group encompasses television’s No. 1 network for automotive superfans, a leading automotive YouTube Channel, and the MotorTrend App—our auto-dedicated subscription video-on-demand service.

Infinite Reality

Funding Round in 2024
Infinite Reality is a company focused on creating immersive digital experiences that enhance the relationship between audiences, creators, and brands. By leveraging advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and spatial computing, Infinite Reality offers platforms that allow businesses to build networks within digital ecosystems, ensuring they retain control over content distribution, audience engagement, and monetization strategies. The company specializes in developing world-class Metaverse experiences, supported by a robust entertainment division that produces original content and live events from its expansive Los Angeles studio. Additionally, its Agency services foster audience cultivation, while its portfolio of digital brands, including esports organizations and influencer management agencies, helps elevate awareness and adoption of emerging Web3 opportunities. Through these various initiatives, Infinite Reality aims to redefine the boundaries of connected digital environments.

tvScientific

Convertible Note in 2024
TvScientific is a performance advertising platform focused on making connected TV (CTV) advertising accessible and measurable for brands and applications of all sizes. The platform utilizes data to demonstrate the true value of TV advertising while simplifying and automating the processes of CTV buying and optimization. TvScientific offers real-time reporting that allows users to monitor campaign performance effectively, ensuring that their advertising efforts achieve optimal results. Additionally, the platform features Always-On Incrementality testing, which provides insights into the incremental value generated by CTV campaigns, further assuring users that their marketing strategies are effective. By combining intuitive campaign management with digital-like measurement and attribution, TvScientific enables businesses to harness CTV as a scalable performance channel.

Optable

Series A in 2023
Optable is a provider of data collaboration and clean room solutions tailored for the advertising ecosystem, addressing the challenges posed by privacy regulations. The company offers a platform that facilitates secure audience data matching and activation, enabling advertisers, publishers, and data companies to effectively collaborate while preserving user privacy. Optable's approach emphasizes a decentralized method for enhancing audience addressability, allowing for the safe onboarding and comparison of audience data among partners. By integrating with ad delivery platforms, Optable enables seamless campaign deployment directly from its clean room, positioning itself as a unique solution in the market that prioritizes secure and efficient data collaboration.

tvScientific

Series A in 2022
TvScientific is a performance advertising platform focused on making connected TV (CTV) advertising accessible and measurable for brands and applications of all sizes. The platform utilizes data to demonstrate the true value of TV advertising while simplifying and automating the processes of CTV buying and optimization. TvScientific offers real-time reporting that allows users to monitor campaign performance effectively, ensuring that their advertising efforts achieve optimal results. Additionally, the platform features Always-On Incrementality testing, which provides insights into the incremental value generated by CTV campaigns, further assuring users that their marketing strategies are effective. By combining intuitive campaign management with digital-like measurement and attribution, TvScientific enables businesses to harness CTV as a scalable performance channel.

Roku

Series H in 2015
Roku, Inc. is a leading streaming platform that provides users with access to a wide range of movies, TV episodes, live sports, music, and news. Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Los Gatos, California, Roku operates in two primary segments: Platform and Player. The company has developed a proprietary operating system, Roku OS, which powers its streaming devices and co-branded televisions produced by various manufacturers. Roku offers a variety of streaming media players, accessories, and smart home products, and also operates the Roku Channel, a free, ad-supported service featuring both on-demand and live content. With a significant user base of over 80 million households, Roku generates revenue through device sales, advertising products, and licensing agreements, positioning itself as a prominent player in the streaming market.

Cognitive Networks

Series B in 2014
Cognitive Networks, founded in 2008 and based in San Francisco, California, collaborates with television set manufacturers to enhance viewer engagement and interactivity in TV programming. The company's Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) platform allows Smart TVs to recognize the content being displayed, facilitating transactions, information requests, and personalized viewing experiences. By connecting content providers and advertisers with audiences in a more meaningful way, Cognitive Networks aims to transform traditional television into a more interactive medium.

Wanderful Media

Venture Round in 2014
Wanderful Media, LLC is a retail-focused mobile media company based in Los Gatos, California, with a development and operations office in Chico, California. Founded in 2011, the company specializes in providing shopping applications and mobile networks that engage consumers. Its primary products include Find&Save, which helps shoppers discover sales and receive cash back from local retail stores, and CoffeeTable, a platform for browsing shopping catalogs and purchasing products directly from retailers. Additionally, Wanderful Media operates the Wanderful Mobile Network, which utilizes location and historical data to effectively target audiences for retail advertising, and the Wanderful Regional Network, which offers extensive reach for media companies. Formerly known as ShopCo Holdings, LLC, the company rebranded in September 2012 and now operates as a subsidiary of OwnLocal, Inc.

Roku

Series F in 2013
Roku, Inc. is a leading streaming platform that provides users with access to a wide range of movies, TV episodes, live sports, music, and news. Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Los Gatos, California, Roku operates in two primary segments: Platform and Player. The company has developed a proprietary operating system, Roku OS, which powers its streaming devices and co-branded televisions produced by various manufacturers. Roku offers a variety of streaming media players, accessories, and smart home products, and also operates the Roku Channel, a free, ad-supported service featuring both on-demand and live content. With a significant user base of over 80 million households, Roku generates revenue through device sales, advertising products, and licensing agreements, positioning itself as a prominent player in the streaming market.

Wanderful Media

Venture Round in 2012
Wanderful Media, LLC is a retail-focused mobile media company based in Los Gatos, California, with a development and operations office in Chico, California. Founded in 2011, the company specializes in providing shopping applications and mobile networks that engage consumers. Its primary products include Find&Save, which helps shoppers discover sales and receive cash back from local retail stores, and CoffeeTable, a platform for browsing shopping catalogs and purchasing products directly from retailers. Additionally, Wanderful Media operates the Wanderful Mobile Network, which utilizes location and historical data to effectively target audiences for retail advertising, and the Wanderful Regional Network, which offers extensive reach for media companies. Formerly known as ShopCo Holdings, LLC, the company rebranded in September 2012 and now operates as a subsidiary of OwnLocal, Inc.

Nexage

Series B in 2012
Nexage specializes in mobile advertising services, focusing on the integration of programmatic technologies to enhance efficiency in the advertising market. The company is recognized for its pioneering contributions, being the first to introduce mobile real-time bidding (RTB), mobile private exchanges, and a data solution known as Nexage Connect. This innovative approach allows premium publishers and advertisers to create customized markets, including open exchanges and programmatic guaranteed markets, to optimize their business strategies. Nexage Connect enables effective targeting and retargeting by providing essential behavioral, contextual, and location data, thereby increasing the value of publishers' audiences. With a global presence, Nexage serves a diverse clientele from offices in major cities such as Boston, New York, San Francisco, and London.

Yieldex

Series C in 2011
Yieldex is a leading provider of digital advertising management and analytics tools designed for online publishers and advertisers. The company offers a range of services, including advertising inventory management, forecasting, and yield optimization. Its flagship products, DynamicIQ and BusinessIQ, deliver decision support for sales and operations, providing insights into available inventory and revenue forecasts while enabling efficient management of digital advertising strategies. Yieldex's programmatic marketplace, YieldexDirect, allows advertisers and publishers to buy and sell targeted inventory conveniently. Prominent media companies, including The New York Times, CBS, and ESPN, utilize Yieldex's solutions to enhance their advertising operations, streamline processes, and maximize revenue potential.

Hootsuite

Debt Financing in 2011
Hootsuite is a social media management platform that assists businesses in engaging with their customers across various social media channels. The platform provides a comprehensive suite of tools designed to simplify marketing efforts, enhance sales, and improve customer service. Users can create, schedule, publish, and manage content and advertising campaigns from a single, secure web-based dashboard. Hootsuite's features enable organizations to manage all their social media profiles efficiently, discover effective content, and analyze trends through relevant data insights. This functionality helps businesses optimize their social media strategies and connect more effectively with their audiences.

iCrossing

Acquisition in 2010
iCrossing is a digital marketing company based in Scottsdale, Arizona, with a global presence. The company provides a comprehensive marketing platform that can be customized to meet the unique needs of its clients. iCrossing specializes in planning services that include customer research, competitive analysis, persona development, and various digital marketing strategies such as integrated search, social media, and mobile marketing. In addition to its planning capabilities, it offers development services that encompass search engine marketing, display advertising, email marketing, and website and social media campaign development. The company emphasizes analytics and performance planning, equipping clients with streamlined access to extensive reports and data sets to enhance their marketing efficacy.

Hootsuite

Series A in 2010
Hootsuite is a social media management platform that assists businesses in engaging with their customers across various social media channels. The platform provides a comprehensive suite of tools designed to simplify marketing efforts, enhance sales, and improve customer service. Users can create, schedule, publish, and manage content and advertising campaigns from a single, secure web-based dashboard. Hootsuite's features enable organizations to manage all their social media profiles efficiently, discover effective content, and analyze trends through relevant data insights. This functionality helps businesses optimize their social media strategies and connect more effectively with their audiences.

Jingle Networks

Series D in 2009
Jingle Networks is a prominent provider of advertising and technology solutions focused on voice and mobile business search. The company connects businesses with consumers ready to transact by leveraging a robust new media channel within the growing business search market. Jingle Networks offers tailored solutions for carriers, network operators, advertising agencies, brand marketers, and small businesses. Its services enable thousands of national brands and local businesses to utilize brief in-call audio or text advertisements to attract new customers during phone calls or online searches. The company's innovative technology has made it a preferred choice for network operators and telecom carriers. Jingle Networks is also known for creating the free directory assistance service 1-800-FREE411, allowing consumers to obtain phone numbers without charge. This service is funded by short, targeted advertising messages that play while the caller waits for information. Founded by experienced professionals in advertising and technology, Jingle Networks continues to deliver effective solutions for building brand awareness and maximizing business search outcomes.

WideOrbit

Series D in 2008
WideOrbit Inc. is a prominent provider of advertising management technology, catering to broadcast television, cable networks, and radio stations. Founded in 1999 and headquartered in San Francisco, the company offers a comprehensive suite of solutions designed to streamline operations and enhance revenue across various media channels. Its flagship products include WO Traffic, which manages advertisement sales and operations; WO Programmatic TV for local TV stations; and WO Analytics, which provides insights into pricing and sales performance. Additionally, WideOrbit offers tools for digital audio monetization, programmatic sales, and content management, serving over 6,000 clients, including major networks such as ABC/Disney and NBC Universal. The company also provides implementation and consulting services, establishing itself as the system of record for substantial annual advertising expenditures. With additional offices in London and Paris, WideOrbit continues to innovate in the advertising technology space.

WideOrbit

Series C in 2008
WideOrbit Inc. is a prominent provider of advertising management technology, catering to broadcast television, cable networks, and radio stations. Founded in 1999 and headquartered in San Francisco, the company offers a comprehensive suite of solutions designed to streamline operations and enhance revenue across various media channels. Its flagship products include WO Traffic, which manages advertisement sales and operations; WO Programmatic TV for local TV stations; and WO Analytics, which provides insights into pricing and sales performance. Additionally, WideOrbit offers tools for digital audio monetization, programmatic sales, and content management, serving over 6,000 clients, including major networks such as ABC/Disney and NBC Universal. The company also provides implementation and consulting services, establishing itself as the system of record for substantial annual advertising expenditures. With additional offices in London and Paris, WideOrbit continues to innovate in the advertising technology space.

First30Days

Series A in 2008
First30Days is a self-help platform that guides individuals through the initial 30 days of significant life changes, such as job transitions, starting a business, home buying, pregnancy, and divorce. The website aims to provide inspirational content and expert advice to motivate users and facilitate positive change in their lives. It connects users with professionals who offer insights tailored to their specific situations, helping them navigate these transitions effectively. The business model includes generating revenue through targeted advertisements and sponsorships relevant to each life change, such as promoting parenting products for new parents or banking services for aspiring entrepreneurs. Founded by Ariane de Bonvoisin, who has a background in corporate strategy and venture capital, First30Days leverages her expertise to support individuals in their journeys through change.

Jingle Networks

Series C in 2008
Jingle Networks is a prominent provider of advertising and technology solutions focused on voice and mobile business search. The company connects businesses with consumers ready to transact by leveraging a robust new media channel within the growing business search market. Jingle Networks offers tailored solutions for carriers, network operators, advertising agencies, brand marketers, and small businesses. Its services enable thousands of national brands and local businesses to utilize brief in-call audio or text advertisements to attract new customers during phone calls or online searches. The company's innovative technology has made it a preferred choice for network operators and telecom carriers. Jingle Networks is also known for creating the free directory assistance service 1-800-FREE411, allowing consumers to obtain phone numbers without charge. This service is funded by short, targeted advertising messages that play while the caller waits for information. Founded by experienced professionals in advertising and technology, Jingle Networks continues to deliver effective solutions for building brand awareness and maximizing business search outcomes.

UGO Entertainment

Acquisition in 2007
UGO Entertainment creates quality lifestyle content for the coveted 18-34 male audience. The company’s flagship brands, UGO.com and 1UP.com, deliver in-depth daily coverage of the latest developments in games and entertainment. A network of owned and affiliated properties supports the flagships with databases of game cheats, interactive games, celebrity pictures, news and more. UGO Entertainment offers advertisers an opportunity to reach 42 million visitors worldwide who are highly influential trendsetters and lifestyle mavens with a passionate curiosity for "what's next." UGO has earned a strong reputation as a trusted publisher and as a proven innovator that delivers customized, high-impact online advertising programs for its world-class client base. UGO Entertainment, a unit of Hearst Corporation, is headquartered in New York City, with offices in San Francisco, Chicago and Santa Monica.

Local Corporation

Post in 2007
Local Corporation (NASDAQ:LOCM) is a leading national online media company that connects merchants and consumers. Using their powerful technology platforms, they provide a host of innovative business solutions including digital marketing products and tools such as local business and product search, mobile, SEO, web hosting, social media and daily deals—all to help merchants grow their business.

Double Fusion

Series C in 2006
Double Fusion, Inc. provides in-game, around-game, and web-based solutions for marketers and their advertising agencies to engage and sell gamer demographics. The company offers fusion.sdk, suite of tools that enable spectrum of ad placements to be served in-game, tracked, and reported. Its products also include fusion.runtime that provides the power to define, integrate, serve, track, and report 2D, 3D, and video ads into games, as well as allows for a range of applications including PC back catalogue titles. The company was founded in 2004 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California with additional offices in Los Angeles, California; Chicago, Illinois; New York, New York; Jerusalem, Israel; London, United Kingdom; and Tokyo, Japan.

Jingle Networks

Series C in 2006
Jingle Networks is a prominent provider of advertising and technology solutions focused on voice and mobile business search. The company connects businesses with consumers ready to transact by leveraging a robust new media channel within the growing business search market. Jingle Networks offers tailored solutions for carriers, network operators, advertising agencies, brand marketers, and small businesses. Its services enable thousands of national brands and local businesses to utilize brief in-call audio or text advertisements to attract new customers during phone calls or online searches. The company's innovative technology has made it a preferred choice for network operators and telecom carriers. Jingle Networks is also known for creating the free directory assistance service 1-800-FREE411, allowing consumers to obtain phone numbers without charge. This service is funded by short, targeted advertising messages that play while the caller waits for information. Founded by experienced professionals in advertising and technology, Jingle Networks continues to deliver effective solutions for building brand awareness and maximizing business search outcomes.

Surphace

Series B in 2006
Surphace, formerly known as Sphere, specializes in contextual content tools designed to enhance the online reading experience by connecting text, video, photos, and advertisements. The company's offerings include related content widgets and the proprietary Content Genome, a patent-pending technology that automates the delivery of relevant content without the need for a predefined taxonomy or extensive training. This enables online publishers to engage their audiences more effectively, resulting in increased site visit duration and page views, while also generating new revenue streams. Surphace's technology is currently integrated into over 150,000 websites, reaching more than 1.2 billion article pages monthly. The integration process for publishers is efficient, requiring minimal time and no additional metadata, allowing for seamless adoption. Surphace caters to a diverse clientele, ranging from major publishers to independent blogs, both in the United States and internationally.

WideOrbit

Series B in 2002
WideOrbit Inc. is a prominent provider of advertising management technology, catering to broadcast television, cable networks, and radio stations. Founded in 1999 and headquartered in San Francisco, the company offers a comprehensive suite of solutions designed to streamline operations and enhance revenue across various media channels. Its flagship products include WO Traffic, which manages advertisement sales and operations; WO Programmatic TV for local TV stations; and WO Analytics, which provides insights into pricing and sales performance. Additionally, WideOrbit offers tools for digital audio monetization, programmatic sales, and content management, serving over 6,000 clients, including major networks such as ABC/Disney and NBC Universal. The company also provides implementation and consulting services, establishing itself as the system of record for substantial annual advertising expenditures. With additional offices in London and Paris, WideOrbit continues to innovate in the advertising technology space.

Scene7

Series B in 2001
Adobe [acquired](http://www.crunchbase.com/acquisition/8df47bafeccc8db6c9830dc69df1e5a3) Scene7 in May 2007 and now offers Scene7 as one of its products. Scene7 – provider of the leading on-demand rich media platform – enables companies to grow revenues, enhance customer experience and cut production costs. With Scene7, businesses can improve the entire selling and marketing cycle – from attracting customers, to guiding them to the right products and services, to successfully converting them into loyal buyers. The company offers rich media solutions built on a robust, integrated technology platform – for unrivaled breadth, depth, scalability and ease of ongoing rich media use. Adobe acquired Scene7 in May 2007.

Internet Broadcasting System

Venture Round in 2001
Internet Broadcasting System is a company focused on transforming the engagement between broadcast media leaders and their audiences through advanced digital solutions. Established in 1996 and headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, the company specializes in scalable publishing technologies, offering a SaaS-based web publishing platform alongside original and syndicated content. Additionally, it operates the IB Digital Agency, one of the largest digital advertising agencies, providing comprehensive advertising and sales services. Internet Broadcasting has a strong commitment to supporting local television companies, delivering award-winning websites and services to notable clients such as Hearst Television, E.W. Scripps, and CNN. Through its innovative approach, Internet Broadcasting aims to enhance digital growth and foster stronger consumer relationships in the media landscape.

Scene7

Series A in 2001
Adobe [acquired](http://www.crunchbase.com/acquisition/8df47bafeccc8db6c9830dc69df1e5a3) Scene7 in May 2007 and now offers Scene7 as one of its products. Scene7 – provider of the leading on-demand rich media platform – enables companies to grow revenues, enhance customer experience and cut production costs. With Scene7, businesses can improve the entire selling and marketing cycle – from attracting customers, to guiding them to the right products and services, to successfully converting them into loyal buyers. The company offers rich media solutions built on a robust, integrated technology platform – for unrivaled breadth, depth, scalability and ease of ongoing rich media use. Adobe acquired Scene7 in May 2007.
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