Obvious Ventures

VSCO is a community-driven platform founded in 2011 and based in Oakland, California, that provides photographers with tools to enhance their creative expression. It offers a suite of photo and video-editing software designed for mobile devices, allowing users to achieve the tone and color balance of traditional film photography through digital film-emulation tools. The platform operates on a freemium model, enabling users to share their work across social media while fostering a positive and healthy creative environment. By connecting creatives and businesses, VSCO cultivates a global community that supports artistic growth and professional development.

Open Places is a company that creates an open network of publication-quality information about various locations, aiming to promote neighborhoods, towns, and regions through the contributions of writers and photographers globally. It develops social content platforms for iOS and Android, harnessing the passion of travelers and locals while integrating mobile actions with social media platforms. The company also offers the Trazzler application, which helps users discover nearby places and engage with editors to highlight locations of interest. Open Places provides opportunities for writers and photographers to receive assignments, collaborate with editorial teams, and build their professional portfolios. The organization serves a diverse range of clients, including nonprofits, public radio stations, parks, schools, tourism bureaus, and other approved entities. Founded in 2008 and based in San Francisco, Open Places was previously known as Trazzler, Inc.