Edutechs is a company focused on enhancing the educational experience through technology. It provides an inclusive education system aimed at promoting equity among students. Additionally, Edutechs has developed a classroom management application that supports teachers in digital education. This application includes a learning management solution that facilitates roll calls, payment management, and the ability to send bulk SMS messages. By offering these tools, Edutechs enables clients to effectively connect with students and manage various teaching-related tasks, thereby improving collaboration and overall educational outcomes.
Rock The Bells is a multifaceted hip-hop brand dedicated to celebrating and amplifying classic hip-hop culture. The company operates an online store that offers exclusive merchandise and curated news, while also organizing festivals that honor legendary artists. By fostering a vibrant community of hip-hop enthusiasts, Rock The Bells ignites passion for the genre's golden age through iconic collaborations and engaging experiences.
Private Equity Round in 2022
TVING is a South Korean online streaming service based in Seoul, specializing in the broadcast of Korean movies and series. The platform operates on a subscription model, offering subscribers access to a wide range of the latest content, along with high-quality visual and audio experiences. By focusing on Korean entertainment, TVING caters to a growing demand for localized content in the streaming market.
Paws, Inc. is a publisher of entertainment content based in Albany, Indiana, specializing in comic books and related media. Established in 1981, the company offers a diverse range of products, including magazines, games, and videos, aimed at providing entertainment and enjoyment to its customers. As of September 30, 2019, Paws, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of Nickelodeon, further enhancing its reach and influence in the entertainment industry.
Pluto TV is a free streaming television service based in Los Angeles, providing a diverse range of content through over 100 live channels and thousands of on-demand movies. The platform partners with major television networks, movie studios, and digital media companies to deliver content that includes news, TV shows, sports, lifestyle programming, and digital series. Millions of viewers utilize Pluto TV each month, accessing its offerings through mobile devices, web browsers, and connected TV streaming devices. By enabling audiences to enjoy premium entertainment without subscription fees, Pluto TV has established itself as a significant player in the streaming landscape.
Quibi is a media company that specializes in creating mobile-first video content tailored for smartphones. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Los Angeles, the company focuses on delivering a diverse array of original shows, including scripted series, unscripted formats, documentaries, and daily news and sports programs. Quibi's platform offers short-form episodes designed for easy consumption, allowing users to switch between horizontal and vertical viewing modes seamlessly. By targeting a core audience that seeks engaging and inspiring content, Quibi aims to provide an intuitive streaming experience that caters to the needs of mobile users.
PocketWatch, Inc. is a media entertainment company based in Culver City, California, that focuses on producing comedy shows and digital content for children. Established in 2016, the company aims to create and distribute engaging entertainment and lifestyle products specifically for kids and families. PocketWatch specializes in developing franchises from popular YouTube stars and characters that resonate with Generation Alpha, offering a range of products that includes toys, apparel, and games, as well as digital-first content. The company's platform supports creators in producing both small-screen videos and larger cinematic experiences, fostering imagination and inspiration among young audiences.
Philo is an entertainment-focused streaming service that provides live access to a variety of cable channels and major broadcasts, allowing users to enjoy shows, live news, sports, and entertainment on their smartphones or computers. The platform enables features such as pausing of live channels, enhancing the viewing experience. Originally founded to cater to the college market, Philo has evolved into a more comprehensive TV platform inspired by Philo T. Farnsworth, the inventor of electronic television. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, with additional offices in New York and Cambridge, Massachusetts. Philo has attracted investments from notable firms and individuals, including New Enterprise Associates, Rho Ventures, and HBO, which support its mission to create an improved television experience.
VidCon, LLC, founded in 2010 and based in Missoula, Montana, is a platform that connects creators and viewers within the online video industry. As a subsidiary of Viacom International, Inc., VidCon organizes a range of events tailored to different audiences, including community, creator, and industry tracks. These events encompass online video conferences, concerts, and gatherings, facilitating interaction among video creators, fans, and industry professionals. By providing a space for collaboration and sharing of interests, VidCon serves as a vital hub for the growing online video entertainment community.
WhoSay Inc. is a media management platform designed for high-profile personalities in film, television, music, and sports, enabling them to manage interactions with fans through social and mainstream media. By offering an invitation-only platform and applications, WhoSay allows over 2,000 celebrities to maintain direct connections with their audiences across various channels, including Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. The company serves influencer marketing clients and helps brands engage with fans through authentic storytelling and targeted content marketing. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Germantown, New York, with an additional office in Beverly Hills, California, WhoSay operates as a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. Following its acquisition in 2018, WhoSay continues to provide unique marketing solutions by leveraging celebrity influence to enhance brand visibility and engagement.
Ananey Communications is the leading multichannel TV firm in Israel. With 11 original lifestyle TV channels and exclusive representation of the Viacom brands in Israel (including MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon & Nick Junior), Ananey channels reach a total of 76% of all Israeli households. Ananey's content distribution also spreads through leading Israeli digital platforms, terrestrial channels, airlines and more. Ananey is the home of two production companies, which both produce shows and develop TV formats for the Israeli and the international TV market: Shamayim – which specializes in lifestyle content – and Nutz Productions – which specializes in entertainment, kids’ & youth content. Ananey’s content travels the world through multiple collaborations & partnerships with major TV networks around the globe. Ananey also owns and operates Mars Games - an Israeli pioneer in interactive technology.
Private Equity Round in 2016
CHILI is a European entertainment company that operates a comprehensive marketplace for movie and TV enthusiasts. It offers a wide range of services, including information and reviews on cinema previews, a geo-localized ticket booking system, and access to new digital releases well ahead of pay TV schedules. The company boasts a vast library of thousands of films, TV series, DVDs, and Blu-Rays, made possible through partnerships with major production companies and independent labels. Founded in June 2012 and headquartered in Milan, Italy, CHILI has expanded its reach to the UK, Germany, Poland, and Austria, providing a pay-per-view experience with no monthly fees. Its subsidiaries include HotCorn, a digital magazine focused on film and TV series, and CineTrailer, an app that helps users find cinema listings and book tickets. Recognized for its innovative video-on-demand services, CHILI was awarded the European Entrepreneurial Company of the Year by Frost & Sullivan in November 2017. The platform is accessible on various devices, including Smart TVs, Blu-Rays, PCs, tablets, and smartphones.
Roku, Inc. operates a prominent TV streaming platform that enables users to access a wide variety of content, including movies, TV episodes, live sports, and music. The company has two main segments: Platform and Player. Roku's platform is designed to deliver an exceptional user experience through its proprietary operating system, Roku OS, which is integrated into its own streaming devices and licensed to other manufacturers for their televisions. As of 2023, Roku reached over 80 million streaming households, providing significant engagement with its services, including the Roku Channel, a free ad-supported platform offering both on-demand and live programming. In addition to streaming, Roku generates revenue through advertising products and the sale of its streaming media players, TVs, and accessories. The company markets its offerings through retailers, distributors, and directly to consumers in multiple countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and various Latin American nations. Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Los Gatos, California, Roku is recognized for its innovation in the streaming sector.
Channel 5 is a television network that offers a broad mix of content, including factual programs, entertainment, reality, sport, and 5 News. The television network broadcasts in the United Kingdom. Channel 5 was launched in 1997 and was the fifth and final national terrestrial analogue network after BBC1, ITV, BBC2, and Channel 4.
Bellator MMA is a prominent mixed martial arts promotional company originally founded in Chicago and now based in Santa Monica, California. It is known for its innovative tournament format, which was the first of its kind in the sport, and has gained a significant following by broadcasting events live on television. The company focuses on organizing wrestling tournaments and championships, ensuring they are accessible to a global audience. Bellator's leadership team consists of experienced professionals from various sectors, including live event production, fighter relations, and marketing, all dedicated to upholding the integrity of the sport and enhancing the experience for both fighters and fans.
Founded in 1995, Rainbow is now a European leader in the production of children's animation. Rainbow has a unique ability to create content for all kinds of media, providing many different ways of communicating with the public: TV series, movies, events, the internet, DVDs, magazines, toys, video games, and all product categories subject to licensing. As a result, Rainbow is able to meet the demand for total family entertainment.
Social Project (formerly Tagworld) is social networking site that launched in late 2005. Similar to MySpace, they're aimed at the crowded teen/young adult social networking market. Similar to MySpace, Social Project lets users create and customize profile pages containing all sorts of multimedia (text, photos, video). However, in June 2006 Social Project (then Tagworld) [launched](http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/06/02/tagworld-widgets-platform/) a widget platform that strongly differentiated it from MySpace. The widgets are usable on any website, and Social Project has been heavily promoting the use of the widgets on competing social networks.
Joost Operations SA is a web video streaming service that offers users the ability to watch videos, music, TV shows, and movies over the Internet. Founded in 2006 and based in Luxembourg, with additional offices in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States, Joost employs peer-to-peer technology to efficiently distribute content, reducing the burden on servers. Initially requiring a software client for viewing, Joost has transitioned to streaming its entire catalog through Adobe's Flash Player, making it accessible on various operating systems. The service features professional programming supported by major media companies like CBS and Viacom, and includes advertisements interspersed within the content. Joost also enhances user experience with interactive tools, allowing viewers to chat while watching and access behind-the-scenes features. The company has established content partnerships with networks such as CNN and the NHL, positioning itself as a competitive player in the online video market.
Social Project (formerly Tagworld) is social networking site that launched in late 2005. Similar to MySpace, they're aimed at the crowded teen/young adult social networking market. Similar to MySpace, Social Project lets users create and customize profile pages containing all sorts of multimedia (text, photos, video). However, in June 2006 Social Project (then Tagworld) [launched](http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/06/02/tagworld-widgets-platform/) a widget platform that strongly differentiated it from MySpace. The widgets are usable on any website, and Social Project has been heavily promoting the use of the widgets on competing social networks.
Social Project (formerly Tagworld) is social networking site that launched in late 2005. Similar to MySpace, they're aimed at the crowded teen/young adult social networking market. Similar to MySpace, Social Project lets users create and customize profile pages containing all sorts of multimedia (text, photos, video). However, in June 2006 Social Project (then Tagworld) [launched](http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/06/02/tagworld-widgets-platform/) a widget platform that strongly differentiated it from MySpace. The widgets are usable on any website, and Social Project has been heavily promoting the use of the widgets on competing social networks.
Xfire is a digital platform that focuses on gaming, movies, television, and broader pop culture topics. Established in 2003, it has evolved to provide in-depth news, guides, and analyses that reflect the dynamic nature of digital entertainment. Originally a leader in social gaming services, Xfire reached over 22 million registered users by 2012. After being acquired by Viacom in 2008, it was later spun out in 2010 by a team of entrepreneurs and investors. The platform features a revamped website and new user interface, alongside the launch of a competitive gaming service called Battleground, which includes various gaming modes and a virtual currency system. Xfire also offers users social networking capabilities, group voice-over IP chat, and options for sharing in-game content and live-streaming gameplay, catering to a diverse audience interested in the interconnected aspects of pop culture.
Neopets is a virtual world for kids or anyone young at heart. The world is based around characters users create called pets. Users must keep their pets healthy, fed and in good spirits. With your pet, you can explore the Neopets world, engage in solo quests or play solo games for rewards, complete missions with other players and meet other characters. Neopets has plenty of places to visit including the Battledome, the undersea city of Maraqua, the Lost Desert or the Virtupets Space Station. When users complete missions or quests they receive items like Dark Reflectorbs or Neopets money called Neopoints. Pets can visit the Neopian Bazaar or the Neopian Plaza to trade, buy and sell items. Users can also invest in the Neopian stock market. Neopets is free to play but they also have a subscription version called Neopets Premium that has better features and benefits. Competitors include [Zwinktopia](http://crunchbase.com/organization/zwinky), [Webkinz](http://crunchbase.com/organization/webkinz), [Mokitown](http://crunchbase.com/organization/mokitown) and [Club Penguin](http://crunchbase.com/organization/clubpenguin).
SportsLine.com, Inc. provides multimedia sports news, information, and merchandise on the Internet. It distributes news, scores, player and team statistics, photos, and audio and video clips; produces and offers fantasy league products, contests, and other games; and produces and distributes interactive programming, such as editorials and analyses. The company operates cbs.sportsline.com, nfl.com, pgatour.com, ncaasports.com, and mvp.com Web sites. It also offers its content to wireless users of digital cellular phones, Web enabled cellular phones, and personal digital assistant devices. The company has strategic relationships with Broadcasting, Inc.; Westwood One; the National Football League; the National Collegiate Athletic Association; the PGA TOUR; Amazon.com; and GSI Commerce, Inc. The company was formerly known as SportsLine USA, Inc. and changed its name to Sportsline.com Inc. in November 1999. SportsLine.com was founded in 1994 and is based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. As of December 10, 2004, Sportsline.com Inc. operates as a subsidiary of CBS Corporation.
Viva Media AG operates the advertising-based music television channel VIVA. The Company broadcasts music video clips and youth- and trend-oriented programming such as comedies and lifestyle shows. Viva Media also produces television programming. The Company operates in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, Italy, and Poland.
Comedy Central is an American basic cable and satellite television channel that produces funny videos, comedy apps, jokes, news, and previews. It is owned by Viacom Media Networks Entertainment Group, a unit of the Viacom Media Networks division of [Viacom](http://www.crunchbase.com/organization/viacom). Comedy Central owns an award-winning programming slate which includes The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, The Colbert Report, South Park, Tosh.0, and original stand-up. The channel brings comedy programming, in the form of both original and syndicated series and stand-up comedy specials as well as feature films. Comedy Central was launched in 1991 and is headquartered in New York.
Black Entertainment Television, Inc. is a television network in the United States primarily serving African American viewers. Its program schedules primarily include comedy reviews; black-oriented entertainment journals; jazz music programs; rap video programs; sporting events; and news and public affair programs. The company was founded in 1979 and is based in Washington, District of Columbia. Black Entertainment Television, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of Viacom, Inc.