OwnZones operates an ad-free content aggregation platform that lets consumers find, access, collect and subscribe to premium niche print, audio and video content. The service offers unbundled, password-based access across browser-enabled devices and subscription tiers starting as low as $0.99 per month. Since launching in November 2013, OwnZones has signed partnerships with publishers including Reuters, The Guardian, YogaSessions.TV, AFP, AeroCinema, RubberStampMadness and Shanti Arts. The company announced a promotional period with paywall removal from April 16 to May 22, 2014 and suspended charges for current subscribers during that window. OwnZones said it will use the newly raised capital to fund marketing and further platform development, with specific plans for form-factor optimization, enhanced discovery and expansion of content types. The platform positions itself as a turnkey sales channel for publishers seeking diversified paywall models and improved content discovery. OwnZones positions itself as a technological ecosystem to change how consumers, digital content providers and advertisers interact, marketing an aggregation and curation platform to enable paid content. The company raised an initial $500,000 to accelerate development of its digital paid content delivery and subscription platform. OwnZones says it will soon launch the first of four trials with a “go-live” release slated for January 2012. Its stated business model depends on consumers paying for personalized, targeted “quality” content and on publishers adopting paid distribution. The company reports it is in final-stage negotiations with a range of print and video content publishers to expand offerings. The article also notes skepticism about whether consumers will broadly embrace paying for curated online content.

Total raised

$6M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Series A

Latest activity

Apr 2014