Participated · Series A · Jul 2021

Buzzer is a mobile platform that personalizes discovery and short-form viewing of live sports on mobile devices. The app aggregates and organizes live sports streaming rights into one accessible platform and lets users set customized alerts based on player, team and league preferences. Current league partners include NBA League Pass, PGA TOUR and NHL, with additional partnerships slated to be announced. Buzzer is in Early Access on iOS and Android; users build profiles, join a waitlist, and receive full access before the platform’s official launch later in the year. The company intends to use new funding to scale the product, build social features, pursue partnership opportunities, and grow the team through key hires. Buzzer was founded by CEO Bo Han in 2020 and is based in New York City. Buzzer is a mobile platform that aggregates sports rights and live content and allows fans to set up customized notifications. The app authenticates viewing through users' existing subscriptions or enables instant, secure micropayments so users can buy exactly what they want to watch. Led by founder and CEO Bo Han, Buzzer is based in New York City and has 16 employees across the U.S. The company intends to use the funds to expand operations and broaden its business reach. Buzzer targets personalized live-sports experiences by combining content aggregation with flexible access and payment options. No revenue or user metrics were disclosed in the article.

Led · Seed · Feb 2020

Papa's Pops is a relaunched snack brand that makes skinless popcorn using a proprietary popping process to remove the hull from traditional popcorn kernels. Founder Vic Bauer originally introduced the product to the U.S. as New Pop in 2016 but discontinued it after a manufacturing partnership ended badly. The company completed a $1.25 million seed round led by Chetrit Ventures with participation from WorldState, Talent Resource Ventures, Tinder founder Justin Mateen and RXBAR founder Peter Rahal. Investors are contributing strategic support on supermarket distribution, consumer communication and packaging. Papa's Pops is launching in major retailers, with first bags hitting Walmart the first week in March, a 14–16 week program at Sam’s Club, and placements at Wakefern, Jewel-Osco, King’s and others. Go-to-market plans include six initial flavors made with clean ingredients, aggressive promotions (BOGO and discounted pricing), hiring an experienced VP in the popcorn business, and heavy trade-show engagement.

Participated · Seed · Jan 2020

Lynq developed the human compass, a device that uses GPS to enable private, peer-to-peer location and data tracking without cellular networks or infrastructure. Its core technology is a licensable software and network protocol that can be integrated into other devices to enable decentralized device-to-device communication of location, messages, sensor and other low-bandwidth data over miles. The company currently sells its people compass direct-to-consumer and to government customers, which were the primary sources of 2020 revenue. Lynq also completed a $1.7M presale that helped drive early interest and investor traction. Management says licensing the software will evolve into its primary, high-margin and scalable revenue stream, shifting focus from device sales. Near-term plans include growing the team, completing software development, announcing integrations and partnerships, and beginning integration of the technology into licensee devices while continuing device sales. Lynq makes peer-to-peer location devices that let individuals and groups locate each other anywhere, independent of phones, cellular networks, Wi‑Fi and maps. Its rugged, waterproof hardware supports up to 40,000 units in a small area without interference. The company plans a B2B2C rental rollout followed by direct-to-consumer sales targeting families and outdoor enthusiasts, and also aims for government customers. Successful betas were conducted at Telluride and other ski resorts, and additional tests are scheduled at theme parks and festivals. The technology is under evaluation for use in disaster relief, search and rescue, and stealth operations. Lynq was founded in October 2014, is an alumnus of the HAX hardware accelerator, and is led by CEO Dave Shor.

Participated · Seed · Jan 2020

Lynq Technologies is a Brooklyn, NY–based deep-tech startup that uses a decentralized and private network protocol to allow devices and people to transmit low-bandwidth data across miles without cellular networks or infrastructure. Its software can be integrated into any device, enabling each device to create private, decentralized networks capable of communicating low-bandwidth data with any device "connected by Lynq." The company is led by founder and CEO Dave Shor, President Karina Costa, and co-founder and head of business development Matthew Misbin. Lynq raised $6m in seed funding in January 2020 from ff Venture Capital, Sony Innovation Fund, Chetrit Ventures and Plus Eight Equity Partners. John Frankel, Partner at ff Venture Capital, joined Lynq's board of directors in conjunction with the funding. The company intends to use the funds to expand the team and further develop scalable opportunities around its core technology.

Participated · Series A · Apr 2018

Dosh operates a card-linked cashback platform that returns money to users when they make purchases with linked payment cards at partner retailers and brands. The app has distributed about $50M in cashback to users, has roughly 3 million card-linked subscribers, and works with more than 150,000 retailers and brands. Partners and integrations include consumer retailers such as Nike, Toms, Gap, Walgreens, Walmart and Jack in the Box, and payment networks like Visa and Mastercard. Dosh generates revenue by taking a cut on each transaction, though it does not disclose the percentage. The company plans to invest in technology to make offers more targeted and to increase rewards that change consumer purchase behavior. It is currently only operating in the U.S., with international expansion likely in 2020 either organically or via acquisition. Dosh is a card-linked cash-back app that links users' payment cards to deliver automatic cashback at integrated retailers. The company has paid out $25 million to roughly 3 million users since its 2016 founding and claims to be the largest card-linked cash-back network in the U.S. Retail partners cited include Sam's Club, Forever 21, Cost Plus World Market, Target, Mattress Firm, Papa John's, U.S. Polo Assn., Chili's and Payless ShoeSource. Dosh maintains direct integrations with Visa, Mastercard and American Express, has developed its own merchant integration IP, and also works with aggregators such as Rewards Network, Empyr and iDine. The company says it monetizes by taking a percentage on transactions. Dosh currently operates only in the U.S. and plans over the next three years to scale to 1 million merchant "doors". Dosh is an app that finds cash for consumers and helps businesses acquire and retain customers. The company connects consumer cash-finding functionality with business customer-acquisition and retention tools. Dosh has raised $4.9 million in funding, according to a source familiar with the transaction. Goodwater Capital led the round. Extol Capital and Next Coast Ventures participated in the financing. The article does not provide details on valuation, terms, or use of proceeds. Dosh has developed a consumer app, mobile wallet, and merchant platform that integrates a cash-back offers ecosystem tied to secured credit and debit cards. The technology enables consumers to receive cash back automatically from more than 100,000 merchants and brands while shopping, dining, and traveling. The company intends to use the new capital to further enhance the platform and drive merchant expansion and customer acquisition during launch. Dosh is entering private beta. The company has raised $2M in this seed funding and has now raised more than $6M in total funding. Leadership includes Ryan Wuerch and a team of named executives across product, technology, commercial, finance, and operations.