VENN

VENN is a broadcasting network aiming to combine gaming, music, and entertainment into a single platform while also broadcasting esports-related content on Twitch and YouTube. The company launched its platform in August 2020 with production coming from its Los Angeles studio and a pandemic-delayed New York counterpart slated for a 2021 debut. VENN maintains partnerships with major brands such as Subway, Adidas, Geico, and American Eagle and plans to focus on creating short-form content in its three key areas of gaming, esports and crossover cultural content in 2021. In addition, its endemic partners include Blast Premier, Roku, Nexstar Media Group (one of the largest US broadcasting companies), and Microsoft.

The company was founded by Ben Kusin and Ariel Horn, both industry veterans with stints as director of new media at Vivendi Games and head of esports production at Riot Games, respectively.

VENN’s October 2020 Series A funding round, its most recent, raised USD 26 million with BITKRAFT Esports Ventures taking the lead and new investor Nexstar Media Group joining in. The round also included participation from other existing investors such as Eldridge, Wise Ventures, and Alumni Ventures Group.

In August 2021, VENN reduced 50% of its 15-employee staff and further revealed that it was in ongoing negotiations to be acquired. It intends to scale down content generation activities and focus on branded sponsorship content and white-label production opportunities.