Waggle Secures Seed Funding And Launches Ultimate Pet Content Community
Multiplatform Company Officially Launches; Backed by Top VC and Strategic Investors
Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, America's Funniest Home Videos, the San Francisco SPCA, and more partner with Company
Dec 07, 2016, 06:00 ET
NEW YORK, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Waggle (www.waggle.tv), a new media company formed to publish original pet and animal content across multiple digital channels and platforms, formally launched today with new investments, consumer products, and partnerships.
Waggle aims to become the global media brand in pets and animals – a $60 billion industry – publishing original video produced by a dedicated, app empowered community and high quality premium shorts starring the animal talent it nurtures and builds on its social channels. The firm officially launches with its Waggle app, e-newsletter The Wag, website, and a robust Facebook presence that has already aired more than 1,000 hours of live streaming pet content and garnered more than 10M views in its beta period.
Waggle's $2.3M seed round funding was led by Raine Ventures and included participation from Lowercase Capital, Brooklyn Bridge Ventures, United Talent Agency, Broadway Video Ventures, Ore Ventures, Allen Debevoise, as well as other prominent angel investors. Waggle is led by co-founder and CEO Matt Cavnar.
"Pet owners represent one of the most passionate groups of content creators and consumers online," said Matt Cavnar, co-founder and CEO of Waggle. "But there is no destination right now that celebrates them and their animals. Their passion is why we built Waggle."
"One of the categories that excites us the most right now is vertically-focused digital content," said Gordon Rubenstein, Managing Partner of Raine Ventures. "The extensive digital library that Waggle's community of users has already built up over the last few months speaks to the enormous opportunity to create a distinct brand to address and service the pet and animal enthusiast space."
One of Waggle's key features for pet and animals organizations is how it empowers them to create and distribute content across Waggle's channels. Since the company began in stealth, Waggle's platform has been used by the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, The Surf Dog Surf City Event, the San Francisco SPCA, and others to live stream and distribute content. Through a collaboration with the producers of America's Funniest Home Videos, Waggle will also publish pet and animal related content collected by the show.
"Pet lovers and owners are one of the most passionate communities on the planet, and with Waggle they finally have a place to thrive," said Matt Mazzeo of Lowercase Capital. "There's never been a better time to build a media brand that people love, and we couldn't be more excited about Waggle."
For more information about Waggle, visit www.waggle.tv, visit Facebook (www.facebook.com/waggletv) and download the app from the App Store.
About Waggle
Waggle is the new platform for pets and animal lovers everywhere, incubated by Broadway Video Ventures. Waggle is based in New York and San Francisco. Visit Waggle on Facebook at facebook.com/waggletv.
About Raine Ventures
The Raine Group is a global merchant bank focused exclusively on technology, media, and telecommunications. Raine has in excess of $2.5 billion in assets under management. The firm has offices in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, London, and Shanghai. With a global reach, Raine focuses on investment and advisory opportunities where its deep industry experience and unique network of strategic relationships can create value for portfolio companies and clients. For more information visit http://www.raine.com/.
About Lowercase Capital
Lowercase Capital is a venture capital firm based in Los Angeles, California. Founder Chris Sacca and Managing Director Matt Mazzeo find, back, and support a wide range of companies, focusing primarily on early stage technology startups. Lowercase also acquires later stage companies and advises businesses and funds of all sizes on strategy and execution. For more information see https://lowercasecapital.com/.
About Broadway Video Ventures
Broadway Video Ventures is the investment vehicle and digital media arm of Lorne Michaels' Broadway Video. BVV targets early and growth stage investments, acquisitions, partnerships and joint ventures across the media, entertainment, and technology sectors, seeking to leverage and enhance Broadway Video's existing content and distribution businesses. In addition, BVV incubates new businesses, notably Above Average.
Media contact: Melissa Zabell, 212-642-7772, [email protected]
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SOURCE Waggle