Book.io
Seed Round in 2025
Book.io is a pioneering Web3 marketplace that facilitates the buying, reading, and selling of eBooks and audiobooks. Built on the Cardano blockchain, the platform offers a unique ownership model for digital literature, allowing users to earn tokens for consuming content and trade their NFTs on a secondary market. This innovative approach empowers authors and publishers by utilizing smart contracts to ensure they receive royalties from both initial and subsequent sales, creating a sustainable revenue stream. By combining digital literature with blockchain technology, Book.io aims to transform the publishing landscape and enhance the reading experience.
Sea Machines Robotics
Venture Round in 2024
Sea Machines Robotics, headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, specializes in developing and manufacturing advanced autonomous control and navigation systems for the commercial marine industry. Established in 2014, the company produces systems like SM300 for remote vessel command, SM200 for collaborative operations, SM400 for AI-powered situational awareness on container ships, RC NXT for PLC-based wireless control, and DP-NXT for crew reduction or elimination on vessels. Sea Machines offers solutions for various unmanned applications, including bathymetric surveys, AUV-tendering, subsea asset inspection, passive acoustic monitoring, and dual towing.
Book.io
Seed Round in 2022
Book.io is a pioneering Web3 marketplace that facilitates the buying, reading, and selling of eBooks and audiobooks. Built on the Cardano blockchain, the platform offers a unique ownership model for digital literature, allowing users to earn tokens for consuming content and trade their NFTs on a secondary market. This innovative approach empowers authors and publishers by utilizing smart contracts to ensure they receive royalties from both initial and subsequent sales, creating a sustainable revenue stream. By combining digital literature with blockchain technology, Book.io aims to transform the publishing landscape and enhance the reading experience.
Stuff.io
Debt Financing in 2022
Book.io is a multi-chain Web3 marketplace that facilitates the buying, reading, and selling of decentralized eBooks and audiobooks. Established in 2020 and headquartered in McKinney, Texas, the platform leverages Cardano technology to create a marketplace where users can purchase digital books and audiobooks, earn tokens for engaging with these works, and sell their NFTs in a secondary market. This model enables publishers and authors to benefit from smart contracts that secure royalties on both initial and secondary sales indefinitely. By integrating blockchain technology, Book.io aims to enhance the digital reading experience while providing financial incentives for creators and consumers alike.
CourseKey
Seed Round in 2017
CourseKey is a SaaS platform for vocational education providers that boosts revenue by improving student retention and graduation rates, helps maintain regulatory compliance, and streamlines processes.
Vid Grid
Seed Round in 2017
Ilos Videos are a group of 12 full-time employees who work hard and are good friends along the way. ilos is an online screen recording platform that allows you to record, share, and organize your videos in one place. With cloud-storage, ilos is the simplest and fastest way to record your screen and share it with the people who need it.
Ingram Publisher Services UK
Acquisition in 2017
At Ingram Publisher Services UK we provide a range of services to publishers to help make their titles available to customers all around the world.
Thrivist
Acquisition in 2017
Thrivist, LLC is a technology company that specializes in developing innovative learning solutions for educators and students. Based in Franklin, Tennessee, and incorporated in 2015, Thrivist offers a range of products designed to enhance educational experiences. Among its key offerings is Thrivist LMS, a comprehensive learning management system tailored for K-12 institutions, which provides advanced reporting capabilities and a user-friendly experience for learners. Additionally, the company has created the Blended Practice Profile, a diagnostic tool that evaluates teachers' understanding and implementation of blended learning strategies. Thrivist also provides ClassGather, a tool that collects objective data on teaching practices and student behaviors, facilitating district-wide analysis. These tools leverage data to empower educators, administrators, and parents to make informed decisions aimed at improving educational outcomes. As of May 2017, Thrivist operates as a subsidiary of Tennessee Book Company LLC.
Querium Corporation, founded in 2013 and based in Austin, Texas, develops a mobile learning software platform focused on enhancing critical STEM skills for students. The company's flagship product, StepWise, delivers personalized and bite-sized lessons through an easy-to-use interface, utilizing a patent-pending expert system that simulates the guidance of a master teacher or tutor. This virtual tutor is available 24/7, providing step-by-step assistance to motivate students in their learning journey. Querium also offers targeted solutions such as the Ace Accuplacer math placement test tool and a mobile-ready review resource for Texas students preparing for the STAAR Algebra I EOC assessment. Additionally, the company provides tools for workforce development, teaching essential math skills through real-world scenarios, and technology solutions for educational publishers. Querium's innovative approach aims to prepare students for college and equip them with the necessary skills for future success in STEM fields.
Aer.io
Acquisition in 2015
Aer.io is a technology company that operates an online platform for publishing, selling, and distributing ebooks and print books. It offers a range of services, including online bookstores, formatting, cover design, and marketing tools, enabling clients to engage directly with their audience through multiple channels.
Synapsify
Venture Round in 2014
Synapsify, Inc. is a technology company based in Bethesda, Maryland, founded in 2012. It specializes in developing applications that leverage machine intelligence and natural language processing to semantically read and analyze written content. The company's flagship product, Synapsify Core, is an analytical tool designed to help marketers, researchers, and insight professionals gain deeper understanding from open-ended survey responses, social media posts, and customer reviews. In addition, Synapsify offers the Synapsify Core API, which allows developers to integrate text analytics functionalities into their own applications. The company provides customized reporting solutions tailored to various use cases, including brand development, reputation management, customer experience management, and competitive analysis. Recognized by Forbes as one of the Top 10 Data Startups to Watch, Synapsify has also received accolades for its innovative approach to text analytics.
Slicebooks
Seed Round in 2013
Slicebooks (slicebooks.com) is a publishing platform that helps publishers repurpose content and build Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) sales channels. Slicebooks includes a patent-pending content management system, an iTunes style white label retail platform and mobile web apps.
Coutts Information Services
Acquisition in 2006
Coutts Information Services, based in the U.K. with offices in the U.S., Canada, and Holland, specializes in supplying book and electronic content to various sectors, including academic, government, corporate, public, and institutional libraries. The company provides a comprehensive inventory of print and electronic resources, enabling librarians to manage collections effectively. Coutts serves over 5,000 libraries and professional organizations across more than 150 countries, offering services such as fill rates and managed programs. Additionally, the MyiLibrary platform, developed by Coutts, facilitates access to digital content collections, serving as a valuable reference tool for academics, researchers, and professionals while allowing librarians to curate multipublisher collections similar to traditional print publications.
VitalSource
Acquisition in 2006
VitalSource Technologies is a leading platform that specializes in the creation, delivery, and enhancement of e-learning content. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools designed to facilitate the development of virtual learning environments and digital publishing. The VitalSource Bookshelf platform is the most widely utilized e-textbook delivery system in higher education, providing access to a vast catalog of digital content from over 1,000 top academic publishers. This platform supports users across various operating systems and devices, ensuring accessibility for all, including individuals with disabilities. By leveraging advanced technology and analytics, VitalSource aims to improve the learning experiences of its partners and their clients worldwide.
Alibris is an online marketplace that specializes in connecting independent sellers of new and used books, music, and movies with buyers around the world. Established in November 1998, the company has grown to become the largest independently owned and operated marketplace of its kind on the Internet, offering over 100 million items from thousands of sellers. Alibris focuses on providing access to a wide range of titles, including rare and collectible works, making it a valuable resource for enthusiasts and collectors. By facilitating direct transactions between sellers and buyers, Alibris fosters a community of individuals who share a passion for literature, music, and film.
iSKY
Venture Round in 2000
iSKY is a provider of customer engagement solutions that focuses on enhancing brand loyalty and customer satisfaction through real-time consumer care services. The company offers a range of services, including brand tracking, customer experience management, market research, enterprise feedback management, and voice-of-the-customer programs. iSKY utilizes software suites and analytical tools to facilitate interactive one-to-one communication processes, enabling brand owners to predict customer behavior effectively. By leveraging these capabilities, iSKY aims to improve customer relationships and deliver actionable insights to its clients.