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 Video Streaming

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.

StreamElements

Series B in 2021
StreamElements is a company based in Tel Aviv, Israel, founded in 2016. It specializes in developing a web-based platform tailored for live content creators, offering tools for monetization, audience management, and community growth. The platform allows creators to display unblockable ads, collect donations, and reward viewers with loyalty points. Key features include a stream dashboard, overlay manager, chat statistics, leaderboard, spam filters, and custom stream pages. StreamElements also facilitates revenue generation through viewer purchases using currency earned by watching streams. Additionally, the company provides cloud-based overlays, alerts, chatbots, loyalty programs, sponsorships, and brand-safe moderation services. It supports creators across various platforms like Twitch, YouTube, Twitter, and TikTok, connecting them with brands for performance marketing campaigns.

C Channel

Venture Round in 2020
C Channel is an online video media provider that focuses on delivering high-quality content tailored to women aged 20 to 34. The company offers a diverse range of lifestyle-related information, including topics such as hairstyling, food, fashion, and travel tips. By leveraging video as its primary medium, C Channel aims to engage its audience with relevant and inspiring content. Additionally, the company operates as a marketing and advertising agency, specializing in the production and management of impactful influencers to enhance its outreach and effectiveness in connecting with its target demographic.

EarthNow

Seed Round in 2018
EarthNow, LLC is a company that specializes in satellite imaging systems, delivering real-time and intelligent video observations of the Earth. Founded in 2017 and based in Bellevue, Washington, EarthNow operates a large constellation of advanced imaging satellites, ensuring continuous coverage so that at least one satellite is above most areas. This capability allows enterprise and government customers to access real-time, on-demand video streams from virtually any location on the planet. The company aims to provide a live and unfiltered view of the Earth, showcasing its beauty and fragility while fostering awareness of environmental stewardship. Through its innovative technology, EarthNow offers a unique and valuable user experience that combines continuous video with machine intelligence.

C Channel

Venture Round in 2016
C Channel is an online video media provider that focuses on delivering high-quality content tailored to women aged 20 to 34. The company offers a diverse range of lifestyle-related information, including topics such as hairstyling, food, fashion, and travel tips. By leveraging video as its primary medium, C Channel aims to engage its audience with relevant and inspiring content. Additionally, the company operates as a marketing and advertising agency, specializing in the production and management of impactful influencers to enhance its outreach and effectiveness in connecting with its target demographic.

NextVR

Series B in 2016
NextVR, Inc. is a technology company based in Laguna Beach, California, founded in 2009, specializing in the development of video capture technology for virtual reality experiences. The company focuses on enabling the transmission of live and on-demand virtual reality content in high-definition quality, primarily for sporting events, concerts, and cinematic productions. NextVR's platform captures, compresses, and transmits immersive VR content, allowing users to experience events as if they were physically present. With over 26 patents granted or pending, the company aims to make virtual reality a mainstream medium, leveraging strategic partnerships with industry leaders like Samsung and Oculus. As a subsidiary of Apple Inc., NextVR continues to innovate in the realm of virtual reality, enhancing accessibility and engagement for audiences worldwide.

Hyperconnect

Series A in 2015
Hyperconnect, Inc. is a technology company based in Seoul, South Korea, specializing in video and AI-powered social discovery products. Founded in 2014, the company aims to create a "Hyperconnected humanity free from loneliness" by connecting individuals through shared interests and enjoyable experiences. Its flagship product, Azar, is a pioneering video calling platform that facilitates instant video chats, enabling users to forge new friendships and explore diverse cultures. With over 500 million downloads, Azar has become one of the largest video communication platforms globally. In addition to Azar, Hyperconnect has developed Hakuna Live, a social live-streaming service that has also garnered significant user engagement. The company employs advanced machine learning and image processing technologies to enhance user interactions while prioritizing community safety. Hyperconnect has received recognition for its innovative contributions to the fields of speech recognition and image processing, underscoring its commitment to providing high-quality, engaging experiences for users worldwide. With a diverse team of over 350 employees across multiple global offices, Hyperconnect generates the majority of its revenue from international markets.

Longzhu TV

Series A in 2014
Longzhu TV is a multimedia platform specializing in live streaming services that encompass a wide range of content, including digital games, e-sports, and e-commerce. The company has established strategic partnerships with prominent gaming leagues, such as the Heroes Union Professional League and the CrossFire TV Professional League, securing rights to broadcast major gaming events. Additionally, Longzhu TV has exclusive broadcasting agreements with notable gaming figures, including the renowned player Faker, and top professional teams, enhancing its reputation in the gaming community. By offering interactive experiences for users, Longzhu TV connects audiences with diverse content and streamers, positioning itself as a unique platform in the entertainment landscape.

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.

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.

PPTV

Series D in 2011
PPTV is a Chinese online video network technology platform that specializes in providing a comprehensive array of video content, including TV shows, news, and entertainment. The company offers a robust online video distribution platform that supports live streaming and video-on-demand services. In addition to its core offerings, PPTV provides features such as online live broadcasting, community engagement tools, a video accelerator, and a video search service, catering to a diverse audience and enhancing the viewing experience.

YouAre.TV

Series A in 2010
YouAre.TV offers a participatory broadcast platform that enables users to engage with live video streaming services directly through their webcams. The platform allows audiences to not only watch live shows but also to actively participate by making video calls, enhancing the viewing experience. Users can join in on the interactive content from their phones or desktops. One of the highlights of YouAre.TV's programming is a weekly show featuring Merton, an improv piano player known from Chatroulette, which airs every Wednesday at 10 PM Eastern. This combination of live interaction and entertainment positions YouAre.TV as a unique player in the interactive media landscape.

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.

Grab Media

Private Equity Round in 2009
Grab Media is a prominent video distribution company that specializes in connecting premium video content with a diverse array of professional sources and well-known advertisers. The company offers digital advertising and video syndication solutions, enabling marketers to effectively reach large, engaged audiences. By hosting, distributing, and monetizing streaming media, Grab Media allows brands to concentrate on promoting their messages while ensuring that their content reaches the right viewers.

KickApps

Series C in 2008
KickApps is a provider of on-demand social media applications designed for web publishers and marketers to enhance audience engagement and monetization. Its software-as-a-service platform features a Social Graph Engine that empowers users to create social networks and integrate various social software components, including user-generated content, programmable video players, and customizable widgets. Additionally, KickApps offers tools for member management and media moderation, along with reporting capabilities. The platform gained notable traction in March 2007 when it partnered with YouTube, enabling affiliates to seamlessly incorporate videos from the YouTube library into their KickApps-powered networks and publish content back to YouTube. This comprehensive suite of applications supports users in building and managing robust online communities.

KickApps

Series B in 2007
KickApps is a provider of on-demand social media applications designed for web publishers and marketers to enhance audience engagement and monetization. Its software-as-a-service platform features a Social Graph Engine that empowers users to create social networks and integrate various social software components, including user-generated content, programmable video players, and customizable widgets. Additionally, KickApps offers tools for member management and media moderation, along with reporting capabilities. The platform gained notable traction in March 2007 when it partnered with YouTube, enabling affiliates to seamlessly incorporate videos from the YouTube library into their KickApps-powered networks and publish content back to YouTube. This comprehensive suite of applications supports users in building and managing robust online communities.

SINA Corporation

Series C in 1999
SINA is an online media company based in the People's Republic of China, serving both domestic and global Chinese communities. It operates a network of localized websites, with its primary platforms being SINA.com for news and content, Weibo.com for microblogging, and SINA Mobile for mobile value-added services. The company offers a diverse range of services, including online portals, microblogging, video and music streaming, photo sharing, online gaming, email, search, classified listings, and e-commerce. SINA primarily generates revenue through online advertising and mobile services, supplemented by fee-based offerings. It aims to be a leading media platform for information retrieval, opinion sharing, and social networking, while also assisting businesses in marketing their products. The company's targeted content across its various websites is designed to enhance user engagement and expand its audience within the Chinese online community.
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