NYC tech raised $75 million this week, and three of the five companies that received funding offer services for content creation. While this could just be a coincidence, it could also signal a trend: VCs and major corporations are investing in the media.
ActionIQ, $30M, Oct. 23
Investors: Sequoia Capital, FirstMark, Andreessen Horowitz, Shutterstock
ActionIQ, a data analytics platform built with marketers in mind, raised $30 million in Series B funding, bringing its total amount raised to $45 million. The investment was led by Andreessen Horowitz with participation from Sequoia Capital, Shutterstock and FirstMark. Shutterstock is also a customer of ActionIQ. [TechCrunch]
Wibbitz, $20M, Oct. 23
Investors: lool Ventures, The Weather Channel, TF1, NantMobile, Horizons Ventures, BDMI, Associated Press
Video creation tool Wibbitz raised $20 million in Series C funding. The tool uses AI to create videos based on text from news reports, which explains why companies like the Associated Press and The Weather Channel participated in the round. To date, Wibbitz has raised $30.8 million. [TechCrunch]
Connatix, $15M, Oct. 24
Investor: Volition Capital
Video syndication platform Connatix raised $15 million in Series A funding to let publishers monetize their content. Led by Volition Capital, the round will be put toward adding new features to the platform, as well as expanding the team. The company is hiring sales and marketing professionals to join the company. [Built In NYC]
Current, $5M, Oct. 25
Investors: QED Investors, Cota Capital
Fintech company Current raised $5 million in Series A funding led by QED Investors. The “smart credit card” startup markets its credit card to teens and provides parents with an app to control it. The investment will be used to acquire more customers and further develop the product. As part of the deal, QED’s Frank Rotman will join Current’s board of directors. [TechCrunch]
Civil, $5M, Oct. 25
Investor: ConsenSys
Civil, a platform that lets writers run their own newsrooms and readers sponsor them, raised $5 million in funding led by Blockchain venture company ConsenSys. The platform allows journalists and readers to have a closer relationship and conquer censorship and other issues that can interfere with traditional media. [Medium]
