Participated · Series B · Feb 2019

Circle Media offers a small hardware device that plugs into a home’s network and allows an administrator—typically a parent—to set and enforce screen-time limits for every connected device, regardless of platform. Unlike cloud-based solutions that are restricted to specific operating systems, Circle’s network-level approach covers iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, and gaming consoles. The product’s simplicity and broad device coverage position it as a user-friendly alternative to built-in parental controls found in Apple or Netgear ecosystems. Growing concerns over children’s screen addiction are driving adoption, and Circle is capitalizing on this trend. With fresh capital, the company plans to expand its product lineup and pursue new integrations with hardware makers and mobile carriers. To date, Circle has raised more than $30 million in venture funding, including a 2017 Series A round. No revenue or user metrics were disclosed in the article.

Participated · Equity · Nov 2018

Jiobit is developing a location machine-learning platform that pairs a discreet, low-power wearable with a companion mobile application. The device can be clipped to a child’s clothing and promises more than a week of battery life while continuously transmitting location data. Its subscription service layers cloud-based monitoring, alerts, and notifications so parents can stay connected in real time. The company leverages ultra-low-power sensors and proprietary algorithms to minimize energy consumption and maximize location accuracy. Funds are currently being directed toward finalizing engineering, tooling up manufacturing, and launching marketing efforts ahead of a planned pre-sale later this year. Founder John Renaldi is positioning the product to appeal to safety-conscious families and to build a recurring revenue stream through the wireless subscription. Financial details beyond the recent seed raise have not been disclosed, and no user or revenue metrics were provided in the article.

Participated · Series A · Nov 2017

Meural builds the Canvas digital art frame, a second-generation 27-inch HD display tuned to resemble real canvas. The company has expanded retail distribution to 137 brick-and-mortar stores across the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Germany, France and the Netherlands, including partners such as Best Buy Canada, Lowe’s Smart Home locations, Micro Center and Selfridges. Its Canvas will be on sale in those locations in time for the holiday shopping season. Meural raised $5 million in a Series A led by Corigin Ventures, with participation from Netgear, Resolute Venture Partners and assorted angels. The new funding brings Meural’s total capital raised to $9 million to date, after a $3 million seed round in April 2016 also led by Corigin Ventures. The company says the funding will be used to increase in-person exposure to drive mainstream consumer adoption. Meural builds a digital, connected canvas that streams art directly to users’ walls. The canvas features gesture control, an LCD display encased in a handcrafted maple wooden frame, and is available in three frame styles/colors (black, white, and lightbox). It ships with a companion free app that lets users select, curate, discover, and upload artwork. Meural has signed partnerships with Bridgeman Images, Sedition, Lomography and Eyes on Wall to source content for users. The company plans to use the seed financing to enhance marketing and R&D and to augment production and manufacturing infrastructure. Founded in 2014 and based in New York City, Meural is positioning its product for wider consumer adoption.