Benchmark

Here Not There Labs is a web3-focused software company building Towns, a blockchain-based messaging protocol and web app for online communities. The Towns platform enables self-owned and self-governed conversations by running on an on-chain protocol, designed to connect the right people at the right time to discuss topics and minimize meetings. The product aims to improve collaboration by linking conversations about work and facilitating decentralized, topic-centered discussions. The company is led by CEO Ben Rubin and comprises web3 creators who build decentralized communication tools for communities.

Here Not There Labs is a web3-focused software company building Towns, a blockchain-based messaging protocol and web app for online communities. The Towns platform enables self-owned and self-governed conversations by running on an on-chain protocol, designed to connect the right people at the right time to discuss topics and minimize meetings. The product aims to improve collaboration by linking conversations about work and facilitating decentralized, topic-centered discussions. The company is led by CEO Ben Rubin and comprises web3 creators who build decentralized communication tools for communities.

Here Not There Labs is a web3-focused software company building Towns, a blockchain-based messaging protocol and web app for online communities. The Towns platform enables self-owned and self-governed conversations by running on an on-chain protocol, designed to connect the right people at the right time to discuss topics and minimize meetings. The product aims to improve collaboration by linking conversations about work and facilitating decentralized, topic-centered discussions. The company is led by CEO Ben Rubin and comprises web3 creators who build decentralized communication tools for communities.

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.

Supergreat is a New York-based company established in 2018 that operates a video beauty community platform. This platform enables users to share authentic reviews of skincare, makeup, scents, and hair products. By fostering a space where real individuals can exchange their experiences and opinions, Supergreat allows users to discover new beauty products, ask questions, and engage with brands they appreciate. The community-driven approach not only enhances consumer awareness and informed decision-making but also offers rewards to participants for their contributions.

TTYL is the audio social network, where hanging out with your closest friends is as easy as throwing on headphones. See who's free to talk and jump into conversations with up to 8 of your best friends. If you're the first one online, just background the app and let them jump in your ears!

Supergreat is a New York-based company established in 2018 that operates a video beauty community platform. This platform enables users to share authentic reviews of skincare, makeup, scents, and hair products. By fostering a space where real individuals can exchange their experiences and opinions, Supergreat allows users to discover new beauty products, ask questions, and engage with brands they appreciate. The community-driven approach not only enhances consumer awareness and informed decision-making but also offers rewards to participants for their contributions.

Supergreat is a New York-based company established in 2018 that operates a video beauty community platform. This platform enables users to share authentic reviews of skincare, makeup, scents, and hair products. By fostering a space where real individuals can exchange their experiences and opinions, Supergreat allows users to discover new beauty products, ask questions, and engage with brands they appreciate. The community-driven approach not only enhances consumer awareness and informed decision-making but also offers rewards to participants for their contributions.

Highlight is a mobile application designed to facilitate social connections among users in their vicinity. The app notifies users when they are in close proximity to others who share mutual friends or interests on Facebook, allowing for potential interactions. Users receive push notifications when they come within a few blocks of these individuals, enabling them to message each other. The app's homescreen features a reverse chronological list of people the user has encountered, enhancing the experience of discovering and engaging with nearby acquaintances. Highlight aims to foster a sense of community and connection in urban environments by leveraging social media networks.

Snap Inc. is a United States technology and social media company best known for Snapchat, a multimedia messaging app that enables users to send ephemeral photos and videos, share Stories, and access augmented reality features. The company also offers Camera, Chat, Memories, Discover, and Snap Map to enhance communication and content discovery, and has produced Spectacles, a line of wearable camera hardware. Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Snap Inc. was founded in 2010 and focuses on camera-based experiences that blend messaging, AR effects, and interactive media for a global audience.

Snap Inc. is a United States technology and social media company best known for Snapchat, a multimedia messaging app that enables users to send ephemeral photos and videos, share Stories, and access augmented reality features. The company also offers Camera, Chat, Memories, Discover, and Snap Map to enhance communication and content discovery, and has produced Spectacles, a line of wearable camera hardware. Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Snap Inc. was founded in 2010 and focuses on camera-based experiences that blend messaging, AR effects, and interactive media for a global audience.

Grockit is a pioneering online social learning company. Grockit has proven that people learn more, faster through combining social learning mechanics and multi-media learning content to help people teach and learn from others. Grockit.com offers Test Prep services for GMAT, IIM CAT, LSAT, GRE, ACT, SAT and AP Calculus and AP History tests. Grockit has built a social learning test prep platform for license and direct-to-consumer products. Florida Virtual Schools, KIPP Schools, Georgetown University and other schools have deployed Grockit services.

Instagram is a photo and video-sharing platform founded in 2010 by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger. It enables users to capture, edit with custom filters, and share content on various social networks. The platform facilitates user-generated content and targeted advertising, helping businesses connect with younger demographics.

Marin Software Inc. is a cloud-based provider of digital advertising management solutions, focusing on search, display, social, and mobile advertising channels. The company offers MarinOne, an integrated software-as-a-service platform that enables advertisers and agencies to optimize their paid marketing programs, enhance financial performance, and achieve greater efficiencies. Headquartered in San Francisco, Marin Software's solutions empower digital marketers to effectively measure the success of their advertising campaigns through advanced reporting and analytics, as well as to manage and execute these campaigns via a user-friendly interface. With a global presence, Marin Software aims to assist its clients in reaching targeted audiences, acquiring new customers, and making informed marketing decisions.

Highlight is a mobile application designed to facilitate social connections among users in their vicinity. The app notifies users when they are in close proximity to others who share mutual friends or interests on Facebook, allowing for potential interactions. Users receive push notifications when they come within a few blocks of these individuals, enabling them to message each other. The app's homescreen features a reverse chronological list of people the user has encountered, enhancing the experience of discovering and engaging with nearby acquaintances. Highlight aims to foster a sense of community and connection in urban environments by leveraging social media networks.

Grockit is a pioneering online social learning company. Grockit has proven that people learn more, faster through combining social learning mechanics and multi-media learning content to help people teach and learn from others. Grockit.com offers Test Prep services for GMAT, IIM CAT, LSAT, GRE, ACT, SAT and AP Calculus and AP History tests. Grockit has built a social learning test prep platform for license and direct-to-consumer products. Florida Virtual Schools, KIPP Schools, Georgetown University and other schools have deployed Grockit services.

Marin Software Inc. is a cloud-based provider of digital advertising management solutions, focusing on search, display, social, and mobile advertising channels. The company offers MarinOne, an integrated software-as-a-service platform that enables advertisers and agencies to optimize their paid marketing programs, enhance financial performance, and achieve greater efficiencies. Headquartered in San Francisco, Marin Software's solutions empower digital marketers to effectively measure the success of their advertising campaigns through advanced reporting and analytics, as well as to manage and execute these campaigns via a user-friendly interface. With a global presence, Marin Software aims to assist its clients in reaching targeted audiences, acquiring new customers, and making informed marketing decisions.

Instagram is a photo and video-sharing platform founded in 2010 by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger. It enables users to capture, edit with custom filters, and share content on various social networks. The platform facilitates user-generated content and targeted advertising, helping businesses connect with younger demographics.

Marin Software Inc. is a cloud-based provider of digital advertising management solutions, focusing on search, display, social, and mobile advertising channels. The company offers MarinOne, an integrated software-as-a-service platform that enables advertisers and agencies to optimize their paid marketing programs, enhance financial performance, and achieve greater efficiencies. Headquartered in San Francisco, Marin Software's solutions empower digital marketers to effectively measure the success of their advertising campaigns through advanced reporting and analytics, as well as to manage and execute these campaigns via a user-friendly interface. With a global presence, Marin Software aims to assist its clients in reaching targeted audiences, acquiring new customers, and making informed marketing decisions.

Grockit is a pioneering online social learning company. Grockit has proven that people learn more, faster through combining social learning mechanics and multi-media learning content to help people teach and learn from others. Grockit.com offers Test Prep services for GMAT, IIM CAT, LSAT, GRE, ACT, SAT and AP Calculus and AP History tests. Grockit has built a social learning test prep platform for license and direct-to-consumer products. Florida Virtual Schools, KIPP Schools, Georgetown University and other schools have deployed Grockit services.

Clicker Media, based in Bay Harbor Islands, Florida, is a web publisher and brand builder specializing in developing stand-alone consumer brands that integrate social networking and reward properties. The company focuses on leveraging content, commerce, and advertising to create engaging experiences for global internet users. Clicker Media's primary service is Clicker, a comprehensive guide to internet television that organizes and delivers broadcast programming and TV-quality web originals from various sources, enabling users to easily find, save, share, and contribute content for any show or episode online. Additionally, Clicker Media owns and operates several web properties, such as Sippinit.com and Sportsgulp.net, and owns internet domain names like Forwant.com.

TuneWiki, Inc. is a music technology company founded in 2007 and headquartered in Milpitas, California, with additional offices in Ohio and Israel. It specializes in creating products that enhance the experience of music and lyrics for users. TuneWiki features the largest legally-licensed lyrics database globally, enabling fans to play music, identify songs, and access lyrics across various platforms. The company's technology combines subtitled lyrics with local music and internet streaming radio, offering translations in over 40 languages. Additionally, TuneWiki fosters a social environment where users can share songs and lyrics, and the community actively contributes to the maintenance and expansion of the lyric database through editing, adding, syncing, and translating content.

BO.LT enables the collection and sharing of web pages on permanent and private basis.

Lithium Technologies builds trusted relationships between leading brands and their customers, enabling companies such as Microsoft, HP, Sephora, Virgin, and Barclaycard to connect, engage, and understand their communities. With more than 100 million monthly visits across its communities and 750 million online profiles scored by Klout, the company’s platform helps clients boost sales, reduce service costs, spark innovation, and foster long‑term loyalty and advocacy.

Twitter is a social networking platform that facilitates the exchange of micro-blogs, known as "tweets," which can be up to 280 characters in length. Launched in 2006, it allows users to send and read tweets through various means, including web browsers, SMS, and mobile applications. With over 400 million monthly visitors and 255 million active users, Twitter serves as a global real-time communications platform. Its diverse user base includes world leaders, athletes, entertainers, and news organizations, contributing to its role as a significant source of information and engagement. The platform is available in more than 35 languages and has a strong presence in major cities worldwide, with headquarters in San Francisco and offices across the United States and internationally.

Clicker Media, based in Bay Harbor Islands, Florida, is a web publisher and brand builder specializing in developing stand-alone consumer brands that integrate social networking and reward properties. The company focuses on leveraging content, commerce, and advertising to create engaging experiences for global internet users. Clicker Media's primary service is Clicker, a comprehensive guide to internet television that organizes and delivers broadcast programming and TV-quality web originals from various sources, enabling users to easily find, save, share, and contribute content for any show or episode online. Additionally, Clicker Media owns and operates several web properties, such as Sippinit.com and Sportsgulp.net, and owns internet domain names like Forwant.com.

Fanbase is a social media platform that enables users to create and monetize exclusive content through monthly subscriptions. It caters to a wide range of creators, including influencers, athletes, musicians, brands, and more.

Marin Software Inc. is a cloud-based provider of digital advertising management solutions, focusing on search, display, social, and mobile advertising channels. The company offers MarinOne, an integrated software-as-a-service platform that enables advertisers and agencies to optimize their paid marketing programs, enhance financial performance, and achieve greater efficiencies. Headquartered in San Francisco, Marin Software's solutions empower digital marketers to effectively measure the success of their advertising campaigns through advanced reporting and analytics, as well as to manage and execute these campaigns via a user-friendly interface. With a global presence, Marin Software aims to assist its clients in reaching targeted audiences, acquiring new customers, and making informed marketing decisions.

Twitter is a social networking platform that facilitates the exchange of micro-blogs, known as "tweets," which can be up to 280 characters in length. Launched in 2006, it allows users to send and read tweets through various means, including web browsers, SMS, and mobile applications. With over 400 million monthly visitors and 255 million active users, Twitter serves as a global real-time communications platform. Its diverse user base includes world leaders, athletes, entertainers, and news organizations, contributing to its role as a significant source of information and engagement. The platform is available in more than 35 languages and has a strong presence in major cities worldwide, with headquarters in San Francisco and offices across the United States and internationally.

Grockit is a pioneering online social learning company. Grockit has proven that people learn more, faster through combining social learning mechanics and multi-media learning content to help people teach and learn from others. Grockit.com offers Test Prep services for GMAT, IIM CAT, LSAT, GRE, ACT, SAT and AP Calculus and AP History tests. Grockit has built a social learning test prep platform for license and direct-to-consumer products. Florida Virtual Schools, KIPP Schools, Georgetown University and other schools have deployed Grockit services.

Lithium Technologies builds trusted relationships between leading brands and their customers, enabling companies such as Microsoft, HP, Sephora, Virgin, and Barclaycard to connect, engage, and understand their communities. With more than 100 million monthly visits across its communities and 750 million online profiles scored by Klout, the company’s platform helps clients boost sales, reduce service costs, spark innovation, and foster long‑term loyalty and advocacy.

Marin Software Inc. is a cloud-based provider of digital advertising management solutions, focusing on search, display, social, and mobile advertising channels. The company offers MarinOne, an integrated software-as-a-service platform that enables advertisers and agencies to optimize their paid marketing programs, enhance financial performance, and achieve greater efficiencies. Headquartered in San Francisco, Marin Software's solutions empower digital marketers to effectively measure the success of their advertising campaigns through advanced reporting and analytics, as well as to manage and execute these campaigns via a user-friendly interface. With a global presence, Marin Software aims to assist its clients in reaching targeted audiences, acquiring new customers, and making informed marketing decisions.

TuneWiki, Inc. is a music technology company founded in 2007 and headquartered in Milpitas, California, with additional offices in Ohio and Israel. It specializes in creating products that enhance the experience of music and lyrics for users. TuneWiki features the largest legally-licensed lyrics database globally, enabling fans to play music, identify songs, and access lyrics across various platforms. The company's technology combines subtitled lyrics with local music and internet streaming radio, offering translations in over 40 languages. Additionally, TuneWiki fosters a social environment where users can share songs and lyrics, and the community actively contributes to the maintenance and expansion of the lyric database through editing, adding, syncing, and translating content.

FriendFeed is a feed aggregator that consolidates updates from various social media platforms, blogs, and microblogging sites, enabling users to stay informed about their friends' activities in one location. Launched in October 2007 and based in Mountain View, California, FriendFeed allows users to create a personalized news feed that includes shared content such as news articles, photos, videos, and links. This service facilitates discovery and discussion among friends, streamlining the process of keeping up with multiple online interactions. In August 2009, FriendFeed was acquired by Facebook, further expanding its reach and integrating its features into a larger social networking ecosystem.

Grockit is a pioneering online social learning company. Grockit has proven that people learn more, faster through combining social learning mechanics and multi-media learning content to help people teach and learn from others. Grockit.com offers Test Prep services for GMAT, IIM CAT, LSAT, GRE, ACT, SAT and AP Calculus and AP History tests. Grockit has built a social learning test prep platform for license and direct-to-consumer products. Florida Virtual Schools, KIPP Schools, Georgetown University and other schools have deployed Grockit services.

Gaia Online is a prominent online community and gaming platform that provides a social environment for users to engage in discussions about various topics, including anime, games, comics, sci-fi, and fantasy. The platform allows members to create personalized avatars, customize them with diverse clothing and accessories, and participate in a range of activities, such as gaming, art contests, and forums dedicated to poetry, politics, and celebrity discussions. By fostering interaction among like-minded individuals, Gaia Online inspires creativity and individuality, making it a vibrant hub for users to connect and have fun.

Gaia Online is a prominent online community and gaming platform that provides a social environment for users to engage in discussions about various topics, including anime, games, comics, sci-fi, and fantasy. The platform allows members to create personalized avatars, customize them with diverse clothing and accessories, and participate in a range of activities, such as gaming, art contests, and forums dedicated to poetry, politics, and celebrity discussions. By fostering interaction among like-minded individuals, Gaia Online inspires creativity and individuality, making it a vibrant hub for users to connect and have fun.

Bebo is a social networking website launched in 2005. It now describes itself as "a company that dreams up ideas for fun social apps".

WeeWorld is a social game and virtual world for teens with a mainstream appeal, reaching a global audience of more than 29M registered WeeMees. WeeWorld's goal is to provide a fun, visual environment that encourages self-expression and creativity. Garnering more than 2M unique users each month on its destination site, www.weeworld.com, WeeWorld's growth has been driven by organic, word-of-mouth traffic (90 percent), as well as through strategic partnerships (10 percent) with AOL, Microsoft, Skype and a host of API partner sites such as USA Networks. WeeWorld is a free, trusted site for dynamic self-expression, creation and communication. Through a palette of features, clothes, accessories, hobbies, etc., WeeWorld users can create their personalized WeeMee avatar, connect with friends, decorate their own visual space, send animated messages, play games and more. Thanks to WeeWorld's open platform, WeeMees are portable to all major social networks and blogging sites, in addition to instant messaging platforms, e-mail signatures and mobile phones.

Workhuman is a prominent provider of social recognition and employee engagement solutions. The company specializes in software-as-a-service that supports recognition and rewards programs for organizations worldwide. By integrating employee recognition with corporate goals and values, Workhuman enhances employee engagement and retention, fostering a positive workplace culture. Its innovative platform enables business leaders to effectively connect with their employees, adapting to the evolving dynamics of the workforce. Through its offerings, Workhuman aims to drive measurable improvements in employee satisfaction and organizational performance.

HeyWire is a company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, that specializes in providing a LiveText messaging channel, catering to the communication needs of modern customers and businesses. It offers award-winning solutions that integrate with Salesforce, allowing companies to enhance customer satisfaction and reduce operational costs by enabling conversational text messaging through existing phone numbers. HeyWire's full-stack messaging cloud solution supports various mobile messaging formats, including SMS, and has successfully delivered over 8 billion messages to date. By facilitating seamless connections between consumers and brands, HeyWire empowers businesses to engage with customers effectively across multiple platforms, including SMS, Facebook, Twitter, and other instant messaging services.

HeyWire is a company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, that specializes in providing a LiveText messaging channel, catering to the communication needs of modern customers and businesses. It offers award-winning solutions that integrate with Salesforce, allowing companies to enhance customer satisfaction and reduce operational costs by enabling conversational text messaging through existing phone numbers. HeyWire's full-stack messaging cloud solution supports various mobile messaging formats, including SMS, and has successfully delivered over 8 billion messages to date. By facilitating seamless connections between consumers and brands, HeyWire empowers businesses to engage with customers effectively across multiple platforms, including SMS, Facebook, Twitter, and other instant messaging services.

HeyWire is a company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, that specializes in providing a LiveText messaging channel, catering to the communication needs of modern customers and businesses. It offers award-winning solutions that integrate with Salesforce, allowing companies to enhance customer satisfaction and reduce operational costs by enabling conversational text messaging through existing phone numbers. HeyWire's full-stack messaging cloud solution supports various mobile messaging formats, including SMS, and has successfully delivered over 8 billion messages to date. By facilitating seamless connections between consumers and brands, HeyWire empowers businesses to engage with customers effectively across multiple platforms, including SMS, Facebook, Twitter, and other instant messaging services.

Critical Path, acquired by Openwave Messaging in December 2013, provides consumer and enterprise solutions for online and mobile communication. Its portfolio includes web and mobile messaging, social media messaging, security, and archiving services. The company owns the award‑winning ShoZu service, which connects millions of users to social sites and feeds. Critical Path’s Memova suite is adopted by leading service providers and enterprises worldwide to enable large numbers of people to communicate, connect, share, and organize while ensuring safety and assurance. With global offices, the firm supports deployments of Memova solutions to increase revenue, enhance loyalty, streamline operations, and reduce costs. In November 2010 it merged with Mirapoint, a global leader in mail‑server appliances, creating an integrated offering of email security, archiving, and mailbox appliances that serves more than 120 million mailboxes for enterprises, service providers, educational institutions, and government entities.

Critical Path, acquired by Openwave Messaging in December 2013, provides consumer and enterprise solutions for online and mobile communication. Its portfolio includes web and mobile messaging, social media messaging, security, and archiving services. The company owns the award‑winning ShoZu service, which connects millions of users to social sites and feeds. Critical Path’s Memova suite is adopted by leading service providers and enterprises worldwide to enable large numbers of people to communicate, connect, share, and organize while ensuring safety and assurance. With global offices, the firm supports deployments of Memova solutions to increase revenue, enhance loyalty, streamline operations, and reduce costs. In November 2010 it merged with Mirapoint, a global leader in mail‑server appliances, creating an integrated offering of email security, archiving, and mailbox appliances that serves more than 120 million mailboxes for enterprises, service providers, educational institutions, and government entities.