Wikia is a user-generated publishing site started by Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales that hosts fan communities across many interests. Its core product is a network of community-run wikis linking to video, games, TV, movies, music, comics, anime, books and more, with simple navigation reminiscent of Wikipedia. The company reports 120 million global unique monthly users, about 34 million pages across 200 languages and roughly 400,000 fan communities, and has passed 1.8 billion pageviews (up from 1 billion at the last round). Wikia's business model centers on advertising and syndication partnerships with premium publishers such as Warner Bros., Carbine Studios, IGN, IDG, Roddenberry Entertainment and Sony. The $15M Series D will fund expansion into Japan and other Asian markets where strategic investors bring media and Japanese business experience. Wikia has raised $39.8M since its 2006 founding and says this round doubles its valuation, though the valuation was not disclosed. Wikia provides a collaborative media platform that lets users form new communities or contribute to over 250,000 existing communities focused on topics such as video games, entertainment, and lifestyle. Launched in 2006 by Jimmy Wales and Angela Beesley and led by CEO Craig Palmer, the company is based in San Francisco. Wikia closed just over $10m in a Series C to fund growth and product development. The company said it will use the proceeds to accelerate mobile and video initiatives, drive continued community and user growth, and evaluate strategic acquisitions. In 2013 Wikia plans to expand its platform and launch integrated mobile, tablet, and video capabilities to enable multi-screen engagement and contribution. The company has raised $25m in total since inception. Wikia is a for-profit sister site of Wikipedia. TechCrunch reports it received a second round of funding entirely from Amazon for an undisclosed amount. Around the same time Wikia announced the acquisition of ArmchairGM, an online sports community, for $2 million in cash and Wikia stock. Company leadership said the funding and acquisition were "frankly very separate events" but that the acquisition would have been difficult without Amazon's money. Earlier in March the company raised $4 million from Bessemer Venture Partners and Omidyar Network, with participation from angel investors Dan Gillmor, Reid Hoffman, Joichi Ito, and Mitch Kapor. No valuation, terms of the new financing, or operating metrics were disclosed in the article. Wikia is positioned as the for-profit counterpart to Wikipedia, emphasizing opinion-driven content rather than strictly verifiable facts. Its content focus includes travel guides, political opinions and other subjective material. Gil Penchina, formerly eBay’s Vice President and GM of International, left eBay to become Wikia’s CEO. The article notes Penchina discussed his decision to leave and his plans for Wikia in a TalkCrunch podcast. Financially, Wikia announced a $4 million venture round in March 2006. The piece frames Wikia’s approach as complementary to Wikipedia but oriented toward commercial, opinion-based content.

Total raised

$29M

Funding rounds

4

Latest round

Series D

Latest activity

Aug 2014