SoftBank Group

SoftBank Group is a multinational telecommunications and internet corporation based in Japan. It operates through four segments: mobile communications, Sprint, fixed-line telecommunications, and internet. The company provides a wide range of services, including mobile and fixed-line voice and data transmission services, broadband services, internet advertising, e-commerce, and digital television. SoftBank Group also invests in various technologies through its venture capital arms, such as SoftBank Investment Advisers and SoftBank Vision Fund, focusing on areas like artificial intelligence, robotics, and the Internet of Things. One of its notable subsidiaries, SoftBank Robotics, designs and manufactures humanoid robots for various applications, including education, healthcare, and business.

Karim Abouzahr

Director, SoftBank Europe Ventures

Kristin Bannon

Investment Director, SoftBank Investment Advisers

Jonathan Bullock

COO and Managing Director

John Cassidy

Investment Director, Life Sciences and HealthTech

Tom Cheung

Partner, Americas

Serena Dayal

Partner, Americas

Angela Du

Partner, Americas

Colin Fan

Managing Partner, SoftBank Investment Advisers

Ted Fike

Director, Americas

Ronald Fisher

Vice Chairman

Navneet Govil

Managing Partner, CFO

Ayush Jain

Investment Vice President

Lydia Jett

Partner

Sumer Juneja

Managing Partner and Head of EMEA and India Investing

Robert Kaplan

Partner, Americas

Chris Lee

Partner, Asia

Anna Lo

Director, Americas

Amit Lubovsky

Director, Americas

Jimi Macdonald

Director

Kentaro Matsui

Managing Partner

Ken Miyauchi

Representative Director and Senior Executive Vice President

Greg Moon

Executive Managing Partner

Karol Niewiadomski

Partner

Shu Nyatta

Managing Partner

Max Ohrstrand

Partner, EMEA

Vikas Parekh

Managing Partner, Americas

Ben Parton

Director of Deals and Transactions

Yanni Pipilis

Managing Partner

Narendra Rathi

Director, Asia

Brett Rochkind

Managing Partner

Masayoshi Son

Founder

Ram Trichur

Partner

Ervin Tu

Partner, Americas

Aaron Wong

Vice President

Kenichi Yoshida

Chief Business Officer and Executive Vice President

Linda Yu

Vice President, Vision Fund

Andrew Zloto

Partner, Americas

Tim Yap

Director, EMEA

Past deals in Media

Runway

Series D in 2025
Runway is an applied AI research company established in 2024, specializing in developing innovative tools that integrate artificial intelligence into creative processes. The company offers a video editing platform designed for professionals in art, entertainment, and design. Its technology leverages original image and video creation methods, allowing users to manipulate and edit content intuitively using text inputs. This approach simplifies the video creation process for artists, designers, and filmmakers, enabling them to express their creativity more effectively. Runway's mission is to enhance human creativity through advanced AI capabilities, facilitating seamless interactions between technology and artistic expression.

Spotter

Series D in 2022
Spotter, Inc., established in 2019 and headquartered in Beverly Hills, California, specializes in empowering independent content creators across digital platforms. The company offers financial liquidity solutions, providing upfront cash to creators focused on specific sub-topic categories. This enables them to expand their content, invest in their business, and maintain independence. Spotter has deployed over $940 million to YouTube creators, with plans to reach $1 billion by 2024. Additionally, Spotter's platform generates over 88 billion monthly watch-time minutes, offering a scaled, brand-safe media solution to advertisers.

Iyuno-SDI

Debt Financing in 2021
Iyuno-SDI Group is the media and entertainment industry service provider.

Framen

Series A in 2020
Framen GmbH, established in 2018 and headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, specializes in public screen advertising services. It streams targeted advertisements, news, and stories on screens in various venues such as fitness studios, hotels, and shopping centers. Framen operates an internet-based platform that facilitates the discovery of advertising spaces, screens, and billboards, along with their ratings and reviews. Additionally, it offers browser-based software for tracking screen time and displayed content. The company caters to diverse clients including cultural organizations, artists, associations, and public institutions.

SocialFlow

Series C in 2015
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.

DramaFever

Acquisition in 2014
DramaFever, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc., is a leading online platform specializing in the distribution of international televised content. It offers on-demand streaming services featuring movies, documentaries, and TV shows, predominantly from Asia and Latin America, with professional subtitles in multiple languages. The company's extensive library includes Korean dramas, Latin American telenovelas, and kids programming, catering to a global audience. DramaFever also provides advertising opportunities and has partnerships with companies like AMC Networks to develop next-generation online entertainment sites. Based in New York, the company employs over 130 people, with a significant portion dedicated to engineering and improving the user experience for its millions of viewers.

SocialFlow

Series B in 2013
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.

BuzzFeed

Series D in 2013
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.

Cheezburger

Venture Round in 2012
Cheezburger, Inc. is a Seattle-based company that operates a network of social humor websites, including popular platforms such as I Can Has Cheezburger, FAIL Blog, Know Your Meme, and Memebase. Founded in September 2007 by Ben Huh and Eric Nakagawa, the company specializes in providing social humor and entertainment content, allowing users to view, create, and remix memes, images, and videos. In addition to its extensive digital humor offerings, Cheezburger also provides advertising services to generate revenue. The company has published several books that compile humorous content from its platforms, further extending its brand into print media. Cheezburger operates as a subsidiary of Literally Media.

Bluefin Labs

Series B in 2012
Bluefin Labs is a social TV analytics company that specializes in providing solutions to brand advertisers, advertising agencies, and television networks. Founded in 2008 and based in Cambridge, MA, with an additional office in New York, NY, the company leverages advanced technology and data analytics to connect social media commentary with the television shows and commercials viewed by audiences. This ability allows clients to access and analyze data at scale, enhancing their understanding of viewer engagement and advertising effectiveness. Grounded in extensive research in cognitive science and machine learning from the MIT Media Lab, Bluefin Labs was acquired by Twitter in 2013.

BuzzFeed

Series C in 2012
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.

Ustream

Funding Round in 2011
Ustream is a company that specializes in providing a live interactive broadcast platform. Founded in 2007 by John Ham, Brad Hunstable, and Gyula Feher, Ustream enables users to view and broadcast a variety of content, including sporting events, political gatherings, concerts, conferences, talk shows, and personal milestones. The company offers advertising solutions, digital campaign services, and production support for events. Additionally, Ustream provides streaming capabilities for mobile devices, connected TVs, and other devices. Notable clients include Cisco, Sony, Discovery Communications, Georgetown University, and Samsung. Headquartered in San Francisco, California, Ustream also maintains offices in Los Angeles, Tokyo, and Budapest.

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.

Boxee

Series C in 2011
Boxee is a media player software platform that combines locally stored personal media with internet streaming content and social networking features. The platform allows users to share their viewing habits with friends and other Boxee users on various social networks. It is partially open-source, enabling users to develop their own applications, plug-ins, and skins. The foundation of Boxee is derived from the Xbox Media Center project, originally created by home theater PC enthusiasts. In addition to software, Boxee has also developed an electronic device that connects smartphones to televisions, allowing users to discover and watch shows and movies from the internet directly on their TVs. This integration of personal media, streaming services, and social interaction positions Boxee as a versatile solution for media consumption.

Cheezburger

Venture Round in 2011
Cheezburger, Inc. is a Seattle-based company that operates a network of social humor websites, including popular platforms such as I Can Has Cheezburger, FAIL Blog, Know Your Meme, and Memebase. Founded in September 2007 by Ben Huh and Eric Nakagawa, the company specializes in providing social humor and entertainment content, allowing users to view, create, and remix memes, images, and videos. In addition to its extensive digital humor offerings, Cheezburger also provides advertising services to generate revenue. The company has published several books that compile humorous content from its platforms, further extending its brand into print media. Cheezburger operates as a subsidiary of Literally Media.

BuzzFeed

Series B in 2010
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.

Ustream

Series B in 2010
Ustream is a company that specializes in providing a live interactive broadcast platform. Founded in 2007 by John Ham, Brad Hunstable, and Gyula Feher, Ustream enables users to view and broadcast a variety of content, including sporting events, political gatherings, concerts, conferences, talk shows, and personal milestones. The company offers advertising solutions, digital campaign services, and production support for events. Additionally, Ustream provides streaming capabilities for mobile devices, connected TVs, and other devices. Notable clients include Cisco, Sony, Discovery Communications, Georgetown University, and Samsung. Headquartered in San Francisco, California, Ustream also maintains offices in Los Angeles, Tokyo, and Budapest.

BuzzFeed

Series A in 2008
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.

HuffPost

Series B in 2007
HuffPost is an online news provider and blog that delivers comprehensive coverage of U.S. politics, entertainment, style, world news, technology, and comedy. Launched in 2005 and based in New York, it has grown to include a network of 80,000 bloggers and attracts approximately 126 million monthly visitors. HuffPost is recognized for its commitment to journalistic excellence, becoming the first commercially operated digital media outlet in the United States to win a Pulitzer Prize in 2012. The platform offers both localized and international information, enhanced with multimedia elements like photos and videos, to inform its audience about a wide range of socio-economic and cultural issues.

Voxant

Series B in 2006
Voxant is a new media company based in Herndon, Virginia in the United States. Voxant is a privately held company which was founded in 2004. In April 2006, Voxant launched its new media network, syndicating fully-licensed news and information content to Web publishers and bloggers. Today over 35,000 Web publishers and bloggers are members of the network. Content distributed by Voxant includes news clips, stories, and images from about 250 sources including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CBS News, MTV News, Reuters, The Associated Press, Agence France Presse and New York Financial Press.

HuffPost

Series A in 2006
HuffPost is an online news provider and blog that delivers comprehensive coverage of U.S. politics, entertainment, style, world news, technology, and comedy. Launched in 2005 and based in New York, it has grown to include a network of 80,000 bloggers and attracts approximately 126 million monthly visitors. HuffPost is recognized for its commitment to journalistic excellence, becoming the first commercially operated digital media outlet in the United States to win a Pulitzer Prize in 2012. The platform offers both localized and international information, enhanced with multimedia elements like photos and videos, to inform its audience about a wide range of socio-economic and cultural issues.

Nellymoser

Series A in 2005
Nellymoser is a company that specializes in providing software and managed services designed to enhance the interaction between consumers and rich media through mobile devices. It offers a mobile services platform tailored for media companies and network operators, allowing users to discover, preview, purchase, create, and share content seamlessly from their mobile phones. By focusing on connectivity and user engagement, Nellymoser facilitates a streamlined experience for consumers, enabling them to access and control digital media effectively.

Focus Media

Series A in 2003
Focus Media Holding Limited is a prominent digital media company based in Central, Hong Kong, specializing in out-of-home advertising through a diverse array of platforms. The company operates an extensive network of liquid crystal display (LCD) screens and other advertising formats strategically located in high-traffic areas, including malls, hotels, and residential buildings. Its offerings encompass video media in commercial buildings, digital displays in stores, advertising in elevators, and large outdoor LED screens, as well as traditional billboards and cinema advertising. With a significant presence across approximately 112 cities in China, Focus Media has established a vast network that includes over 172,000 digital displays, more than 505,000 traditional poster frames, and extensive cinema partnerships. The company is known for its innovative business models and targeted audience segmentation, making it a key player in the media advertising industry.

Concentric Visions

Series B in 2001
Multimedia internet applications activating through clickable videos.

Rivals.com

Venture Round in 2000
Rivals.com provides online sports media services for college sports fans. It provides team coverage, team experience, and community interaction through a network of college, high school, and recruiting sites.

Spin Media Network

Venture Round in 1999
Spin Media LLC is a rock music magazine based in New York, founded in 1985. Known for its publication, the company also manages SPIN.com, a website that integrates the magazine's content with original articles, photos, audio clips, downloads, and news related to music and music culture. Originally named Spin Magazine, the company rebranded in February 2006. As of January 2020, Spin Media LLC operates as a subsidiary of Next Management Partners.

Dr. Drew

Venture Round in 1999
Dr. Drew Pinsky is a practicing physician, Board Certified in Internal Medicine, and Board Certified in Addiction Medicine. Pinsky is also Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the Keck USC School of Medicine. Pinsky starred in the hit reality series Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew which chronicled the struggle for sobriety and the cycle of addictive disorders of a group of celebrities. The sixth installment of the series Rehab with Dr. Drew followed the real-life experiences of everyday people who are struggling with addiction as they undergo detoxification and treatment. In December 2010 Dr. Drew Pinsky joined HLN as the host of his own nightly show Dr. Drew On Call where he continues to attract audiences and explores what makes people do what they do. Dr. Drew is also the host of the nationally syndicated radio show Loveline where he has been taking calls from listeners about love, sex and relationships for over 25 years. Additionally, Pinsky hosts the Dr. Drew Podcast, which is currently the #1 health podcast on iTunes. Dr. Drew also co-hosts the Adam and Dr. Drew Podcast with his former Loveline co-host Adam Carolla. Most recently, Dr. Drew began hosting KABC’s Dr. Drew Live Midday with Mike Catherwood which officially launched January 2015.

Yahoo

Series B in 1995
Yahoo is a media technology company that connects individuals with their interests across various sectors such as finance, sports, shopping, gaming, and news. It operates as a web portal, offering services that include Yahoo Search, Yahoo Mail, and Yahoo News. Additionally, Yahoo provides a comprehensive platform for businesses that encompasses advertising, search, and media, facilitating connections with consumers. The company also manages Yahoo Sports Radio, which distributes sports programming. With a focus on innovation, Yahoo continues to develop tools and technologies to enhance user engagement in the digital landscape.
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