a16z Podcast Market Overview
Significant Exits in the Last 5 Years (1/2)
Company
Gimlet Media
-founded: 2014
-hq: Brooklyn
Anchor FM
founded: 2015
-hq: NYC
Stuff Media
-founded: 1998
- hq: Atlanta
Midroll Media
- founded: 2013
- HQ: LA
Swell
founded: 2012
- hq: Mountain View
Stitcher
founded 2007
- HQ: SF
Type of
Company
Production studio
Podcast creation /
hosting platform
Production studio
Ad network
Listening app
Listening app
Source: Pitchbook, company websites
Andreessen Horowitz
Description
Production studio behind top podcasts like Reply All, StartUp
(which chronicled starting up Gimlet), and Crimetown. Has stated
it's exploring originals and windowing with Spotify post-acq
Simple podcast creation & distribution platform. Makes
podcasting more accessible to hobbyists and individuals who are
new to the medium
Podcast production studio with 25 podcast shows. Spinout of
HowStuffWorks, an infotainment website. "Stuff You Should
Know" was first podcast ever to surpass 500M downloads
Podcast advertising, production, distribution, and monetization
services to creators.
Personalized app for news radio listening, with content from ABC,
NPR, RPI, TED, and others. Shut down post-acquisition.
Podcasting listening app. Offers $5/mo premium experience with
no ads, bonus episodes, and exclusive originals.
Acquisition
Size
~$225M
(2/2019)
~$110M
(2/2019)
$55M
(9/2018)
$60M
(7/2015)
$30M
(7/2014)
$4.5M
(6/2016), 2
years after acq.
by Deezer
Acquirer
SCRIPPS
SCRIPPS
Spotify
Spotify
iHeartMedia
E.W. Scripps
Apple
E.W. Scripps
Total Funding
$28M from WPP, Betaworks, Lowercase, Andrew Mason
$14M from GV, Accel, Eniac, SV Angel, Betaworks
$15M from Raine (2015)
-prev parent company (HowStuffWorks) was acq by Blucora
for $45M (2014) and Discovery Communication for $250M
(2007)
Formed from merger of comedy podcasting network Earwolf
with podcasting ad network The Mid Roll in 2014.
$7.5M from GV, CRV, a16z, Dave Morin, Correlation, Kevin
Colleran, Sam Lessin, Jason Calacanis, Draper Nexus
$22.3M from Benchmark, Great Oaks, NEA, Ron Conway,
NAV.VC, Sandwith VC. Previously acquired by Deezer in Oct.
2014 for undisclosed amt.
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