Watchwith builds technology that analyzes video content to identify moments for interactive overlay ads that sit at the bottom of the screen rather than interrupt playback. Its product is positioned as an alternative mix to traditional pre-roll and mid-roll ads, aimed at TV networks and online publishers. The company says overlays can be more effective because ads run alongside content rather than separately. Early customers include Fox, NBCUniversal and Viacom, reflecting traction with major broadcasters. CEO Zane Vella frames the approach as appealing for smaller personal devices and large-screen viewing alike, and the company is open to partnering beyond TV networks with other online publishers. Watchwith recently added Brendan Moorcroft, former CEO of Cadreon, to its board and has raised a total of $13 million to date. Watchwith provides a sync-to-broadcast platform-as-a-service that enables broadcasters and TV networks to author, manage and syndicate time-based metadata and related content across screens. Its product suite includes Watchwith Showrunner for content authoring, an enterprise-grade API, business-rules-based syndication features and the Related Content Database. The platform powers social interactivity, one-click commerce, contextual advertising and related-content events on smartphones, tablets, connected TVs, game consoles, OTT set-top boxes and second-screen apps. Watchwith has enabled mobile, web and tablet applications for networks including Bravo, NBC and Syfy, and supports enhanced experiences for customers such as Fox Broadcasting and USA Network through partners like Shazam, Twitter, zeebox, ConnecTV, NextGuide and Viggle. The company completed a $5 million Series A led by Rogers Venture Partners with participation from ARRIS and Gracenote to further develop broadcaster and advertiser tools and expand its syndication reach. Watchwith is headquartered in San Francisco.

Total raised

$13M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Series B

Latest activity

Nov 2015