Ideogram is an artificial intelligence startup focused on generative text-to-image technology. The company develops innovative media tools designed to enhance creative expression and accessibility for users. Its platform incorporates advanced functionalities, allowing individuals to explore and experiment with creative projects using generative artificial intelligence. Through its unique approach, Ideogram aims to empower users to unleash their creativity by simplifying the process of generating visual content from textual input.
Monaverse
Series A in 2022
Mona’s mission is to empower people around the world to create, collect, and share high quality immersive experiences on the blockchain, growing the Open Metaverse.
Mona is the medium of the metaverse.
MINDSET
Seed Round in 2021
Mindset is a wellness platform that features a library of authentic and intimate audio collections by various artists. Mindset seeks to normalize the discussion of human experiences by telling authentic stories about successes and failures, mental health journeys, values, beliefs, and realizations in life, love, career, and everything in between.
The company was founded in 2021 and is based in Los Angeles, California.
Recount Media
Seed Round in 2019
Recount Media, Inc. is a media company based in New York that focuses on delivering political news through high-quality journalism and short-form video content. Founded in 2018, Recount Media publishes The Daily Recount, a flagship show that summarizes significant political events and distills television news into concise, engaging narratives. The company's approach emphasizes clarity and accessibility, aiming to inform viewers in under five minutes without compromising on substance. In addition to The Daily Recount, Recount Media also features curated content such as interviews and Recap 2020, which creatively remixes political news stories. By leveraging mobile apps and web platforms, Recount Media seeks to transform the way audiences consume news, prioritizing straightforward, honest reporting.
POPARAZZI
Seed Round in 2018
Poparazzi is a photo-sharing application that enables users to create social profiles for their friends and share photos of them, fostering authentic connections and empathy among users. Currently available only on iOS, the app allows individuals to assume the role of the "paparazzi" for their friends, capturing and sharing moments that promote engagement and interaction within their social circles. Through its innovative design, Poparazzi aims to bring people closer together by offering a platform that emphasizes genuine connections and shared experiences.
Brud Inc. is a transmedia studio based in Los Angeles that specializes in the development of digital and robotic characters which are designed to engage audiences across various social platforms. Founded in 2014 and originally known as Miquela Media, the company focuses on creating virtual influencers and character-driven story worlds. Brud combines expertise in robotics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to enhance media experiences, enabling the creation of innovative and popular digital personalities. The company is dedicated to leveraging technology in creative ways to redefine storytelling in the digital age.
Dreams is a New York City-based company that specializes in a mobile-only television platform, focusing on a modern, mobile-first news experience. Founded in 2016 by Tom Bender and Greg Hochmuth, Dreams employs patent-pending computer vision technology to transform live television news into a vertical video format in real-time. This innovative approach allows for the creation of the first-ever live, 24/7 vertical video news channels. The Dreams app is available for free in the United States on both the App Store and Google Play, and it does not require any login or registration, making it accessible to a wide audience.
Upbeat
Venture Round in 2017
Upbeat is a cloud-based public relations company that specializes in connecting businesses with journalists and media outlets through innovative software and data analysis. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in San Francisco, Upbeat offers a range of services designed to enhance media outreach campaigns, including customer dashboards, account management workflows, email campaign management, and a comprehensive journalist database. The company also provides media monitoring and analytical tools to track the effectiveness of outreach efforts. Catering to various industries such as education, real estate, trucking, pharmaceuticals, and human resources, Upbeat combines the expertise of software engineers and PR professionals to modernize traditional public relations practices, transforming story ideas into compelling narratives and ensuring effective communication between clients and the media.
Catch+Release
Seed Round in 2017
Catch&Release, Inc. operates an online platform that facilitates the searching and licensing of web content for videos and commercials. Founded in 2008 and based in San Francisco, the company streamlines the licensing process through its Content Exchange, allowing users to organize and acquire content from various online sources. Catch&Release tracks down copyright owners, negotiates rights, and provides essential clearances for brands and advertisers. The platform offers features such as Clearance Ratings to help users identify licensable content, and it manages all documentation and transactions related to the licensing process. By curating a portfolio of story-driven content from a diverse range of creators, including artists and cinematographers, Catch&Release enables clients to efficiently promote their brands while ensuring compliance with copyright laws.
Brud Inc. is a transmedia studio based in Los Angeles that specializes in the development of digital and robotic characters which are designed to engage audiences across various social platforms. Founded in 2014 and originally known as Miquela Media, the company focuses on creating virtual influencers and character-driven story worlds. Brud combines expertise in robotics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to enhance media experiences, enabling the creation of innovative and popular digital personalities. The company is dedicated to leveraging technology in creative ways to redefine storytelling in the digital age.
Vidme is a startup video lab that operates a video-sharing platform aimed at fostering a community for expressing and sharing ideas. The platform allows users to upload videos across various categories, including gaming, animation, movies, and entertainment. Users can share their content within relevant community sections, and notably, Vidme enables uploads without requiring users to create an account. This accessibility encourages broader participation and engagement within its community, making it a versatile space for video content creators.
Caffeine Inc. operates a live social broadcasting and streaming platform that focuses on gaming and entertainment. Founded in 2016 and based in Redwood City, California, the company allows users to broadcast a variety of content, including esports, video gaming, and creative shows, while facilitating real-time interaction through chat and sharing features. Caffeine's platform is designed to enhance viewer engagement with a social-driven recommendation system, making it easier to navigate and discover new content. The company partners with notable entities like FOX Sports, ESPN, and Riot Games to provide a diverse range of interactive programming. Caffeine is committed to maintaining a safe environment, enforcing a zero-tolerance policy against bullying, hate speech, and racism.
Anchor is a user-friendly platform designed to simplify podcast creation and distribution. It allows users to record or upload high-quality audio and host unlimited episodes, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced podcasters. Anchor also offers seamless distribution to various platforms with a single click, enhancing the visibility of podcasts. Additionally, it incorporates community features that enrich the audio streaming experience, fostering interaction among users. This combination of ease of use and community engagement positions Anchor as a leading choice for individuals looking to enter the podcasting space.
Hullabalu
Seed Round in 2015
Hullabalu is a New York City-based company dedicated to creating original stories aimed at the new generation. Drawing inspiration from a love of fantastical worlds and timeless classics, Hullabalu develops engaging narratives that promote strong values and positive character development. The company features a series of stories centered around a diverse group of characters, complemented by illustrations, music, and interactive activities. Through its innovative approach, Hullabalu seeks to provide children with entertaining and meaningful experiences that foster imagination and encourage positive growth.
Vidme is a startup video lab that operates a video-sharing platform aimed at fostering a community for expressing and sharing ideas. The platform allows users to upload videos across various categories, including gaming, animation, movies, and entertainment. Users can share their content within relevant community sections, and notably, Vidme enables uploads without requiring users to create an account. This accessibility encourages broader participation and engagement within its community, making it a versatile space for video content creators.
Niche is a provider of a social media management platform aimed at engaging and monetizing social media accounts, particularly for the younger generation. The company operates a community of influential social media creators active on emerging platforms such as Vine, Instagram, and Tumblr. Niche offers both software and services that help these creators thrive and interact with their audiences effectively. By collaborating with leading brands, studios, start-ups, and agencies, Niche enhances their partners' social media presence, facilitating user acquisition, audience development, and engagement. Through its comprehensive approach, Niche supports creators in building strong online communities while providing valuable resources for brands looking to generate buzz and foster meaningful connections with their target audiences.
Knowable
Seed Round in 2014
Knowable Universe, Inc., operating as Knowable, is an e-learning provider based in Los Angeles, California, established in 2013. The company specializes in developing an online platform that offers audio courses designed to help users acquire new skills. Its offerings feature long-form audio instruction complemented by detailed lesson summaries, curated learning tools, and downloadable e-textbooks. Additionally, Knowable provides access to private student communities, enhancing the learning experience through engagement and interaction. The team behind Knowable comprises editors, producers, and journalists from well-known institutions, all committed to creating engaging and effective audio courses.
SeeMe
Venture Round in 2014
SeeMe is an online platform that connects contemporary emerging artists with a global audience, facilitating the sale of limited edition prints and original artwork. The platform allows artists to showcase a diverse range of images, appealing to various tastes and interests. Through its website and mobile app, users can engage with creators by leaving comments and likes, and they can also purchase eco-friendly postcards and unique apparel featuring the artwork. SeeMe employs intuitive discovery tools and predictive algorithms to help collectors find and support top artists, fostering a community where hundreds of thousands of creators are connected with millions of art enthusiasts worldwide.
Hullabalu
Convertible Note in 2014
Hullabalu is a New York City-based company dedicated to creating original stories aimed at the new generation. Drawing inspiration from a love of fantastical worlds and timeless classics, Hullabalu develops engaging narratives that promote strong values and positive character development. The company features a series of stories centered around a diverse group of characters, complemented by illustrations, music, and interactive activities. Through its innovative approach, Hullabalu seeks to provide children with entertaining and meaningful experiences that foster imagination and encourage positive growth.
Storehouse
Seed Round in 2014
Storehouse is a developer of an online multimedia story-sharing platform that enables users to create and share their narratives through a combination of photos, videos, and text. The company's application provides a user-friendly interface for storytelling, allowing individuals to express their experiences visually and engage with a broader audience. Storehouse has received recognition for its innovative approach, winning the TechCrunch 2015 Crunchie for Best Mobile App and the 2014 Apple Design Award.
Zeega is a cloud-based platform to create and share interactive videos. It curates music, pictures, GIFs, and more from a range of websites to help its users create their own interactive and engaging stories.
The platform allows its users to express themselves by combining personal moments with popular culture.
Zeega was launched in 2013 and is based in San Francisco, California.
Swipe Labs
Seed Round in 2013
Swipe Labs, founded in 2013 and based in San Francisco, California, specializes in developing mobile communication applications that enhance the intimacy and privacy of user interactions. Their primary product allows users to share private photos and videos with select groups of friends, providing a more personal and secure way to communicate compared to public social media platforms. The company focuses on experimenting with new social products to improve mobile communication experiences for its users.
Hullabalu
Seed Round in 2013
Hullabalu is a New York City-based company dedicated to creating original stories aimed at the new generation. Drawing inspiration from a love of fantastical worlds and timeless classics, Hullabalu develops engaging narratives that promote strong values and positive character development. The company features a series of stories centered around a diverse group of characters, complemented by illustrations, music, and interactive activities. Through its innovative approach, Hullabalu seeks to provide children with entertaining and meaningful experiences that foster imagination and encourage positive growth.
Imgix is an online platform that specializes in image management, processing, rendering, optimization, and delivery. It allows businesses to connect their existing image stores, enabling them to easily transform and optimize images and videos in real time through powerful APIs and user interfaces. The platform addresses the complex demands of modern web images, ensuring that content is perfectly sized for various devices, served in multiple formats, and optimized for both quality and performance. Imgix also helps businesses navigate critical issues such as copyright, licensing, and content moderation, minimizing risks that could lead to revenue loss or liability. By leveraging Imgix's capabilities, organizations can focus on their core activities without the need to build or maintain in-house imaging solutions. The company, which was launched through the Y Combinator accelerator program, counts notable clients like Lyft, Airbnb, and Spotify among its customer base.
Tubular Labs
Series A in 2012
Tubular Labs is a leading video measurement and analytics platform that serves broadcasters, publishers, and brands by providing insights into video consumption patterns. The platform tracks over 4 billion videos and 1 trillion views, analyzing a vast array of data that includes 10 million influencers and 90,000 brands. It offers a comprehensive view of the social video ecosystem, allowing businesses to create effective content and scale their audiences more rapidly. Tubular Labs delivers valuable ratings and context for digital video, helping companies refine their content strategies, enhance distribution, and optimize paid media campaigns. The platform is trusted by several top global media companies, who rely on its analytics to make informed strategic decisions in the dynamic landscape of video content.
Ozy Media, Inc. is a media and entertainment company based in Mountain View, California, that focuses on delivering a diverse array of news and information to a curious audience. Founded in 2012, Ozy operates a daily news, magazine, and video streaming platform that features various programs designed to inform and engage its users. The content encompasses a wide range of topics, including emerging trends, influential figures, and innovative ideas, aiming to provide narratives that challenge conventional perspectives. With an audience of approximately 50 million, Ozy seeks to inspire and broaden viewpoints by presenting fresh narratives across multiple formats, including television, podcasts, and live events.
OmniVirt
Seed Round in 2012
OmniVirt is a technology company based in Millbrae, California, founded in 2012. It specializes in creating an advertising platform that enables the creation and distribution of immersive ads using virtual reality (VR), 360° video, 3D rendering, and augmented reality (AR). The platform allows brands to upload, promote, and analyze their content across a network of publishers and platforms, delivering significantly higher performance than traditional advertising. OmniVirt's technology is compatible with most browsers and trusted by major publishers such as The New York Times, WSJ, Washington Post, and Forbes.
SeeMe is an online platform that connects contemporary emerging artists with a global audience, facilitating the sale of limited edition prints and original artwork. The platform allows artists to showcase a diverse range of images, appealing to various tastes and interests. Through its website and mobile app, users can engage with creators by leaving comments and likes, and they can also purchase eco-friendly postcards and unique apparel featuring the artwork. SeeMe employs intuitive discovery tools and predictive algorithms to help collectors find and support top artists, fostering a community where hundreds of thousands of creators are connected with millions of art enthusiasts worldwide.
Fullscreen
Seed Round in 2011
Fullscreen Media is a media company based in Culver City, California, that specializes in social-first entertainment experiences. Founded in 2011, Fullscreen provides technology and services that facilitate the creation and sharing of video content, catering to a connected generation. Its offerings include marketing services designed to help companies engage and monetize their social audiences, as well as creative strategies that enhance brand awareness. Additionally, Fullscreen provides merchandise for men, women, and children, along with various accessories available online. The company operates as a subsidiary of Otter Media, focusing on empowering artists, creators, brands, and agencies to effectively connect with and entertain their audiences.
Stitcher, Inc. is a company based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2007, that specializes in the development of a mobile application designed for news and entertainment. The Stitcher app allows users to discover a diverse array of radio shows, live radio stations, and podcasts, enabling them to stream content across various devices, including iPhones, iPads, iPods, Android devices, and desktops. The application features a broad network of original content covering numerous topics and offers a premium subscription service. This platform empowers listeners to easily discover, listen to, distribute, and create podcasts, enhancing their audio entertainment experience. As of 2016, Stitcher operates as a subsidiary of Midroll Media, LLC.
Genius
Convertible Note in 2011
Genius Media Group, Inc. operates an online platform that focuses on music intelligence, originally starting as a site for annotating rap lyrics. Founded in 2009 and based in Brooklyn, New York, Genius has evolved to serve a broader audience, providing insights into various music genres beyond hip-hop. The platform attracts over 100 million users monthly, enabling contributors, editors, and musicians to engage in discussions about songs and share their interpretations with a global fan base. In addition to lyrics, Genius features charts and videos, offering a comprehensive view of music and its cultural significance. Renowned artists, including Frank Ocean and Lin-Manuel Miranda, also participate in the platform, contributing their perspectives and enhancing the storytelling aspect of music.
Just.me
Seed Round in 2011
Just.me, Inc., established in 2011 and headquartered in Palo Alto, California, operates a mobile and social network. It offers a free, unified mobile messaging platform that combines features from various apps, such as texting, email, voice messages, and multimedia sharing, into a single application. Users can save, share, or publish memories, messages, or posts with unlimited photos, videos, voice, and text. The app, currently in beta for iPhone and under development for Android, also has a web version with reduced publishing features. Just.me stands out by giving users control over their information and messages, as it sits on the smartphone address book, allowing users to decide who sees each shared message.
Visual Revenue
Seed Round in 2011
Founded in 2010, Visual Revenue, Inc. is a company that develops a real-time predictive analytics platform aimed at enhancing editorial decision-making in data-driven newsrooms. The platform provides tools that support human editors by delivering real-time recommendations and measuring social media success, thereby facilitating content discovery for media organizations. By reducing the complexity of content management, Visual Revenue enables publishers to engage their audiences more effectively while preserving their unique editorial voice. The company's focus is on empowering editors rather than replacing them, ensuring that editorial judgment remains central to the content creation process. In 2013, Visual Revenue was acquired by Outbrain.
Pulse is an elegant news reading application for iPhone, iPad and Android devices. It incorporates colorful panning story bars and fills them with content from your favorite sources. Pulse redefines news, giving you the opportunity to experience the news you desire from traditional sources, your favorite blogs and social networks all in one beautiful interface.
Pulse is developed by Alphonso Labs.
OnSwipe
Venture Round in 2011
OnSwipe is a platform designed to enhance the presentation of content and advertising for publishers on touch-enabled devices through web browsers. The company enables media publishers to create visually appealing and interactive experiences that mimic the functionality of native applications and websites. By addressing the increasing demand for optimized content on tablets and other touch devices, OnSwipe simplifies the publishing process, allowing media companies to effectively engage their audiences in a magazine-like format. This focus on improving user experience positions OnSwipe as a valuable solution in an evolving digital landscape.
Videopixie
Seed Round in 2011
Videopixie is an online marketplace that connects users with video production professionals, offering services across various price points to accommodate different budgets. The platform caters to a diverse clientele, including retailers who require weekly product videos, game companies looking to create national television trailers from in-game footage, and newlyweds who wish to edit extensive wedding footage into concise highlights. By facilitating connections between clients and top video professionals, Videopixie streamlines the video production process for a wide array of projects, ensuring quality and efficiency.
Canvas Networks
Series A in 2011
Canvas Networks operates as an online community platform that facilitates image sharing and collaboration among users. The platform allows individuals to submit, edit, and share images, fostering a creative environment for users to engage with visual content. Through its software application, Canvas Networks enhances the user experience by enabling easy interaction with various images, promoting a community-driven approach to digital creativity.
Imgix is an online platform that specializes in image management, processing, rendering, optimization, and delivery. It allows businesses to connect their existing image stores, enabling them to easily transform and optimize images and videos in real time through powerful APIs and user interfaces. The platform addresses the complex demands of modern web images, ensuring that content is perfectly sized for various devices, served in multiple formats, and optimized for both quality and performance. Imgix also helps businesses navigate critical issues such as copyright, licensing, and content moderation, minimizing risks that could lead to revenue loss or liability. By leveraging Imgix's capabilities, organizations can focus on their core activities without the need to build or maintain in-house imaging solutions. The company, which was launched through the Y Combinator accelerator program, counts notable clients like Lyft, Airbnb, and Spotify among its customer base.
SocialFlow
Series A in 2011
SocialFlow, Inc. is a software company that specializes in social media distribution and monetization solutions tailored for publishers and media organizations. Founded in 2009 and based in New York, SocialFlow utilizes an advanced algorithm to optimize the timing, relevance, and audience targeting of social media posts. The platform identifies high-performing content for amplification through advertising and integrates these posts into platform-specific advertising formats. Furthermore, it establishes a feedback loop that analyzes audience responses, facilitating the development of new advertising opportunities that enhance client reach to segmented audiences. SocialFlow’s technologies enable publishers to distribute engaging content effectively while generating new revenue streams, and its client roster includes prominent organizations such as Condé Nast, The Associated Press, and CNN. The software supports tens of thousands of journalists globally in extending the reach and engagement of editorial content across various social platforms.
OnSwipe
Seed Round in 2011
OnSwipe is a platform designed to enhance the presentation of content and advertising for publishers on touch-enabled devices through web browsers. The company enables media publishers to create visually appealing and interactive experiences that mimic the functionality of native applications and websites. By addressing the increasing demand for optimized content on tablets and other touch devices, OnSwipe simplifies the publishing process, allowing media companies to effectively engage their audiences in a magazine-like format. This focus on improving user experience positions OnSwipe as a valuable solution in an evolving digital landscape.
Sulia
Venture Round in 2010
**Sulia is a subject-based social network that connects you to the top social sources on subjects you care about.**
We all have interests that we're extremely passionate about. Whether it's our family, a sports team, breaking news, Hollywood gossip, a hobby, a career, or a political issue, we obsess over our interests everyday.
However, with an endless number of sources talking about an endless number of subjects, it's nearly impossible to find the best sources to follow to across your interests. And, even if you were able to identify the top sources, sifting through all of their content is maddeningly time-consuming.
We built Sulia to address these problems (which were driving us mad too).
Sulia’s subject-based structure of social channels connects trusted sources and enthusiasts on shared interests across thousands of subjects, including breaking news and events. How?
We use a combination of network managers and sophisticated algorithms to identify the best-regarded sources across thousands of subjects. We then dynamically filter content from those sources, regardless of where it's created (a blog, a social network, a media site, through Sulia's publishing system, etc.), into high-quality, realtime social channels. The result is streams of timely content from trusted sources that is always on-topic, readable, and relevant.
People use Sulia everyday to discover new sources and engage with their interests.
Sulia is backed by leading media and technology investors, including:
-- Firstmark Capital: Rick Heitzmann
-- Village Ventures: Matt Harris, Bo Peabody
-- IA Capital Partners: Roger Ehrenberg
-- Founder Collective: Chris Dixon
-- SV Angels: Ron Conway
-- Mark Gerson, Founder, Gerson Lehrman Group
Path is a mobile photo-sharing and messaging service designed to foster personal social networks with a limit of up to 150 contacts. The platform allows users to capture and share significant life moments with close friends and family, emphasizing simplicity, quality, and privacy. Path enables group messaging and facilitates the importation of photos and graphics to various social networks. The company aims to enhance personal connections through its user-friendly interface and features, reflecting the belief that mobile technology can transform social interactions.
Vox Media
Series C in 2010
Vox Media is a prominent media company that specializes in creating, publishing, and distributing online content tailored to young adults globally. Founded in 2012, it operates a diverse portfolio of brands, including SB Nation, which focuses on sports and fan communities; The Verge, a technology publication; Polygon, aimed at adult gamers; Vox.com, which covers news and interests; Eater, centered on food and dining; Racked, which focuses on shopping, beauty, and fashion; Curbed, dedicated to real estate and home; and Re/code, a tech business publication. Additionally, Vox Media encompasses Vox Creative, a division that develops marketing narratives for brands, and offers advertising services through Vox Advertising and the Concert advertising solution. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., with offices in New York City, Vox Media is committed to sustainable editorial practices and responsible industry leadership.
Embedly
Seed Round in 2010
Embedly provides a platform and suite of tools to make embedding and previewing links simple. Embedly helps publishers and consumers manage embed codes from more than 100 Websites and APIs, including YouTube, Flickr, Ustream, Picassa, Hulu, Twitpic, Quantcast, and CrunchBase. It automatically convert links from these sources into embedded media on the fly.
Magnetic Media Online, Inc. is a digital marketing and artificial intelligence company that provides a comprehensive advertising platform for enterprises, brands, and agencies. It specializes in data-driven advertising solutions, enabling marketers to effectively find, retain, and re-engage customers across various channels and devices. The company's offerings include a media buying platform, audience targeting through AI-optimized strategies, and capabilities for video, connected television, native, and cross-device advertising. Magnetic leverages extensive data sources, including purchase intent data from over 450,000 partner sites and insights from more than 250 million shopping profiles, to deliver targeted and effective programmatic campaigns. Founded in 2008 and headquartered in New York City, Magnetic has established a presence in multiple U.S. cities as well as in Europe and Canada, reflecting its commitment to serving a diverse clientele across various verticals.
Airtime
Seed Round in 2010
Airtime is a social platform designed to foster genuine online interactions, aiming to create a welcoming environment for users. Founded by Sean Parker, the platform offers various virtual "rooms" where individuals can engage in live conversations about diverse interests, from music to art and comedy. Unlike traditional social networks that often promote isolation, Airtime encourages community building and real-time engagement. The company is supported by prominent investors, including Accel, Andreessen Horowitz, and Google Ventures, and operates with a dedicated team of over 100 employees across three locations. Airtime focuses on enhancing the quality of online social experiences through its innovative video conversation features.
Canvas Networks
Seed Round in 2010
Canvas Networks operates as an online community platform that facilitates image sharing and collaboration among users. The platform allows individuals to submit, edit, and share images, fostering a creative environment for users to engage with visual content. Through its software application, Canvas Networks enhances the user experience by enabling easy interaction with various images, promoting a community-driven approach to digital creativity.
BuzzFeed, Inc. is a tech-driven media company that specializes in delivering breaking news, original reporting, and entertainment content across various digital platforms. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in New York, BuzzFeed engages a global audience with its diverse offerings, which include articles, quizzes, videos, and lifestyle content through well-known brands such as Tasty. The company also emphasizes investigative journalism through BuzzFeed News and produces original content for multiple formats via BuzzFeed Studios. Additionally, BuzzFeed Commerce focuses on social commerce products, licensing, and strategic partnerships. With a reach of over 200 million users, BuzzFeed aims to create shareable content that resonates across the social web.
Stitcher, Inc. is a company based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2007, that specializes in the development of a mobile application designed for news and entertainment. The Stitcher app allows users to discover a diverse array of radio shows, live radio stations, and podcasts, enabling them to stream content across various devices, including iPhones, iPads, iPods, Android devices, and desktops. The application features a broad network of original content covering numerous topics and offers a premium subscription service. This platform empowers listeners to easily discover, listen to, distribute, and create podcasts, enhancing their audio entertainment experience. As of 2016, Stitcher operates as a subsidiary of Midroll Media, LLC.
fotopedia
Series A in 2009
Fotopedia is a developer of travel applications that feature photography from their online community
Fotopedia brings you the ultimate application suite for travel and discovery.
Their applications, specifically designed for the iPhone and the iPad, are available worldwide in 9 languages. Featuring stunning photography from professional photographers and the Fotopedia community, their beautiful apps provide first-class luxury for your digital travels.
With 15 apps, 17M users and 200M page views per month, we offer brands an effective, beautiful and easy way to reach their audience in more than 200 countries and territories all at once.
Their latest application, Fotopedia Reporter, let's you discover and explore the world with photography stories. Get it on the [App Store](http://bit.ly/FPReporter)
Hot Potato
Series A in 2009
Hot Potato is a technology company that specializes in enhancing the experience of live events through real-time social collaboration. It provides a platform where friends and fans can connect, share their perspectives, and enjoy each other's contributions during events. The company focuses on creating tools that make participating in events more engaging and fun by facilitating interactions among groups who share an interest in the same experiences as they unfold.
**Sulia is a subject-based social network that connects you to the top social sources on subjects you care about.**
We all have interests that we're extremely passionate about. Whether it's our family, a sports team, breaking news, Hollywood gossip, a hobby, a career, or a political issue, we obsess over our interests everyday.
However, with an endless number of sources talking about an endless number of subjects, it's nearly impossible to find the best sources to follow to across your interests. And, even if you were able to identify the top sources, sifting through all of their content is maddeningly time-consuming.
We built Sulia to address these problems (which were driving us mad too).
Sulia’s subject-based structure of social channels connects trusted sources and enthusiasts on shared interests across thousands of subjects, including breaking news and events. How?
We use a combination of network managers and sophisticated algorithms to identify the best-regarded sources across thousands of subjects. We then dynamically filter content from those sources, regardless of where it's created (a blog, a social network, a media site, through Sulia's publishing system, etc.), into high-quality, realtime social channels. The result is streams of timely content from trusted sources that is always on-topic, readable, and relevant.
People use Sulia everyday to discover new sources and engage with their interests.
Sulia is backed by leading media and technology investors, including:
-- Firstmark Capital: Rick Heitzmann
-- Village Ventures: Matt Harris, Bo Peabody
-- IA Capital Partners: Roger Ehrenberg
-- Founder Collective: Chris Dixon
-- SV Angels: Ron Conway
-- Mark Gerson, Founder, Gerson Lehrman Group
Funny or Die
Series B in 2007
Funny or Die, Inc. is a comedy video website that launched in 2007 and is headquartered in Palo Alto, California, with additional offices in Japan, Madagascar, and Bahn. The platform allows a diverse array of users, including celebrities, established and emerging comedians, as well as regular individuals, to upload humorous content such as videos, articles, and images. It aims to provide a curated experience by enabling users to vote on the content, distinguishing what is considered funny from what should be disregarded. The website utilizes a proprietary player that can be embedded on other sites, enhancing its reach and accessibility.
AdReady, a division of CPXi, specializes in providing a comprehensive programmatic display advertising platform tailored for mid-size to large advertisers and agencies. The company integrates the efficiency and precision of programmatic display with innovative creative solutions, enhancing the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. AdReady's platform facilitates campaign creation and management for advertisers, while also assisting publishers with advertisement operations, trafficking, and billing. By collaborating with leading demand sources, major display publishers, and advanced data providers, AdReady ensures that display advertising is accessible to a wide range of marketers, agencies, and publishers, thereby maximizing marketing budgets and return on investment.
Yardbarker
Seed Round in 2007
Yardbarker Media is a leading sports and entertainment media platform in the United States, attracting over 12 million user sessions monthly. Established in 2006, it offers a comprehensive online publishing platform that features articles, news, and information pertinent to sports. Yardbarker provides a space for sports fans, bloggers, and professional athletes to read, discuss, and engage with a variety of sports content, including articles, photos, and videos. The company also operates an online store that sells clothing and accessories for men, women, and children, alongside gift cards. Additionally, Yardbarker curates and sends out popular email newsletters, such as 'The Morning Bark' and 'Quiz of the Day,' to more than 370,000 daily subscribers, further enhancing its reach and engagement within the sports community.
Photobucket
Venture Round in 2006
Photobucket is a leading global photo and video sharing platform, serving over 100 million registered users. It enables users to upload, store, edit, share, and preserve their visual memories securely. Photobucket actively moderates content to ensure a safe environment for its members.
Revision3
Series A in 2006
Revision3 Corporation is a media company based in San Francisco, California, that specializes in creating and producing original Internet video shows. Founded in 2005, it caters to an Internet-savvy audience by providing high-quality content on niche subjects such as technology, comedy, music, and cooking. Revision3 leverages a quick production cycle to deliver tailored, on-demand video that appeals to viewers seeking in-depth information on specific topics. The company maintains flexibility in content distribution, utilizing multiple platforms such as iTunes, Odeo, and Bittorrent, and supports various video formats to ensure broad accessibility across devices, including computers, smartphones, and Internet-connected televisions. As a subsidiary of Discovery, Inc., Revision3 continues to innovate in the digital entertainment landscape.
Snapvine is a provider of voice and mobility solutions that enables users to leave voicemails online. The process involves contacting a central Snapvine number and entering a specific code to direct the message to the intended recipient, or alternatively, using a microphone connected to a computer. The voicemails can be shared through simple embeddable widgets, allowing for either public access, where anyone can listen to the messages, or private access, restricted to the intended recipient. This service has gained popularity on social networks, particularly among artists and celebrities, facilitating communication with their fans.
Blip is an online media platform that offers users access to a variety of video clips and programs focused on media and entertainment. The platform features content across multiple categories, including general entertainment, comedy, music, drama, television, food, and video games. It organizes its offerings into segments such as editors' picks, current trends, and new episodes. Additionally, Blip provides producers with tools to host, distribute, and monetize their web series. Founded in 2005 by Charles Hope and Jared Klett, Blip is headquartered in New York City.