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 Video Streaming

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.

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.

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.

Caavo

Series B in 2017
Caavo, Inc. is a consumer electronics company founded in 2015 and based in Santa Clara, California. The company focuses on developing a cohesive entertainment experience by integrating linear television, streaming services, and web content into a single, user-friendly platform. Its products enable users to control their viewing experience with voice commands or a single remote, making the process seamless and efficient. Additionally, Caavo has created a TV-connected platform tailored for senior living, allowing healthcare staff and families to remotely assist senior citizens through video calls, wellness checks, and assistance requests, even when the television is off. This dual approach highlights Caavo's commitment to enhancing both general entertainment consumption and specialized services for seniors.

Caavo

Series A in 2017
Caavo, Inc. is a consumer electronics company founded in 2015 and based in Santa Clara, California. The company focuses on developing a cohesive entertainment experience by integrating linear television, streaming services, and web content into a single, user-friendly platform. Its products enable users to control their viewing experience with voice commands or a single remote, making the process seamless and efficient. Additionally, Caavo has created a TV-connected platform tailored for senior living, allowing healthcare staff and families to remotely assist senior citizens through video calls, wellness checks, and assistance requests, even when the television is off. This dual approach highlights Caavo's commitment to enhancing both general entertainment consumption and specialized services for seniors.

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.

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.

Ramp

Series C in 2012
Ramp Holdings, Inc. specializes in Software-as-a-Service solutions aimed at modernizing financial operations and enhancing content delivery. The company provides a comprehensive platform that includes tools for corporate card management, expense tracking, bill payments, and accounting integrations. By leveraging advanced technologies such as speech-to-text, natural language processing, and search engine optimization, Ramp allows organizations to maximize the value of their video content and drive increased engagement. Its offerings also include various video management solutions, notably for the SharePoint ecosystem, which facilitate seamless integration, live streaming, and efficient content delivery. Founded in 1948 and based in Boston, Massachusetts, Ramp operates as a subsidiary of Raytheon BBN Technologies Corporation. The company serves diverse industries, including media, finance, healthcare, and technology, with a focus on creating cost-effective and insightful financial tools for organizations.

SmartShoot

Series B in 2010
SmartShoot, Inc. is an online platform that connects individuals and businesses with professional photographers and videographers for various creative projects. Founded in 2005 and based in San Francisco, California, the company enables users to collaborate with freelance professionals for services such as engagement photography, real estate photos, and promotional videos. SmartShoot facilitates on-demand custom imagery through a web-based tool that allows for project collaboration, editing, and cloud storage, making it easier for brands to acquire tailored content. Originally established as TurnHere, Inc., the company rebranded to SmartShoot in October 2012, reflecting its focus on providing a comprehensive solution for visual content needs.

Brightcove

Series D in 2010
Brightcove, established in 2004, is a global video technology company that empowers businesses to deliver professional video experiences across various connected devices. It offers cloud-based solutions for video delivery and monetization, serving a wide range of industries, including media, broadcasting, digital publishing, and retail, among others. Brightcove's flagship product, Video Cloud, enables customers to publish and distribute video content through a subscription-based SaaS model. The company is renowned for its innovative technology, exceptional customer support, and global infrastructure, helping organizations worldwide leverage the power of video to engage audiences.

SmartShoot

Series A in 2008
SmartShoot, Inc. is an online platform that connects individuals and businesses with professional photographers and videographers for various creative projects. Founded in 2005 and based in San Francisco, California, the company enables users to collaborate with freelance professionals for services such as engagement photography, real estate photos, and promotional videos. SmartShoot facilitates on-demand custom imagery through a web-based tool that allows for project collaboration, editing, and cloud storage, making it easier for brands to acquire tailored content. Originally established as TurnHere, Inc., the company rebranded to SmartShoot in October 2012, reflecting its focus on providing a comprehensive solution for visual content needs.

Brightcove

Series C in 2007
Brightcove, established in 2004, is a global video technology company that empowers businesses to deliver professional video experiences across various connected devices. It offers cloud-based solutions for video delivery and monetization, serving a wide range of industries, including media, broadcasting, digital publishing, and retail, among others. Brightcove's flagship product, Video Cloud, enables customers to publish and distribute video content through a subscription-based SaaS model. The company is renowned for its innovative technology, exceptional customer support, and global infrastructure, helping organizations worldwide leverage the power of video to engage audiences.

MobiTV

Series C in 2006
MobiTV, Inc. is a technology company that specializes in cloud-enabled streaming video solutions, allowing operators to launch branded and compliant pay TV services efficiently. Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Emeryville, California, MobiTV provides managed services for delivering live and on-demand television content across various devices, including mobile devices, tablets, and smart televisions. Its platform supports a seamless viewing experience by enabling users to shift between live and on-demand content while managing playback features such as pause and resume. MobiTV’s solutions cater to IPTV operators and mobile TV service providers, addressing the complexities of delivering video across different networks and devices. The company’s clients include major telecommunications companies, enhancing their ability to provide a comprehensive television experience to consumers. MobiTV was formerly known as Idetic, Inc. before rebranding in 2005.

Sling Media

Series B in 2006
Sling Media is a technology company that provides multi-screen smart TV solutions for consumers and television operators. It is committed to developing products and solutions that allow people to watch their home TV, including the content they already pay for, anywhere in the world, on any connected device. Sling Media has the ability to turn any Internet connected PC, Mac, phone, or tablet into a home television. The first [Slingbox](http://www.crunchbase.com/organization/slingpage) was released in 2005, and in 2007, Sling Media won a Technical Emmy Award for the [Slingbox](http://www.crunchbase.com/organization/slingpage). SlingPlayer, another product of Sling Media, was introduced for Android, iPad, and Windows smartphones in 2010. Sling Media was founded in 2004 and is headquartered in Foster City, C.A.

Brightcove

Series B in 2005
Brightcove, established in 2004, is a global video technology company that empowers businesses to deliver professional video experiences across various connected devices. It offers cloud-based solutions for video delivery and monetization, serving a wide range of industries, including media, broadcasting, digital publishing, and retail, among others. Brightcove's flagship product, Video Cloud, enables customers to publish and distribute video content through a subscription-based SaaS model. The company is renowned for its innovative technology, exceptional customer support, and global infrastructure, helping organizations worldwide leverage the power of video to engage audiences.

Sling Media

Series A in 2005
Sling Media is a technology company that provides multi-screen smart TV solutions for consumers and television operators. It is committed to developing products and solutions that allow people to watch their home TV, including the content they already pay for, anywhere in the world, on any connected device. Sling Media has the ability to turn any Internet connected PC, Mac, phone, or tablet into a home television. The first [Slingbox](http://www.crunchbase.com/organization/slingpage) was released in 2005, and in 2007, Sling Media won a Technical Emmy Award for the [Slingbox](http://www.crunchbase.com/organization/slingpage). SlingPlayer, another product of Sling Media, was introduced for Android, iPad, and Windows smartphones in 2010. Sling Media was founded in 2004 and is headquartered in Foster City, C.A.

Broadcast.com

Venture Round in 1998
Broadcast.com was an Internet radio company established in 1995, known for its streaming media services. It specialized in delivering live and on-demand audio and video programming over the internet, providing a diverse array of content that included sports, talk and music radio, television programming, business events, news, commentary, and full-length audio books. The company gained significant attention during the Dot-com Bubble and was sold to Yahoo! in 1999 for over $5 billion, marking a notable moment in the evolution of online media.
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