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2019
Focus Matters Powerhouse Capital is a Los Angeles based venture fund exclusively dedicated to global technology investment opportunities in media, entertainment, sports & gaming. Focus drives unique insights and greater value for our platform and stakeholders. Current investments include: - The Athletic (subscription sports journalism) - Masterclass (subscription "edutainment" content from masters in their craft) - Recurrent Media (digital media platform with brands such as Popular Science, Outdoor Life, Field & Stream, Domino, etc.) - Avia Games (competitive gaming platform) - Calm (mental fitness, meditation & wellbeing) - Wondery (podcasting) - EXIT to Amazon (Jan 2021) - Expectful (mental & physical wellbeing for expecting and new parents) - QCode (podcasting) - Endel (music soundscapes) - Dipsea (audio romance & female empowerment) We authentically connect the vibrant media ecosystems with powerhouse companies, teams & ideas. Powerhouse invests in direct-to-consumer platforms powered by data, as we believe this is where accelerated value creation will accrue in the coming global cycles. Powerhouse has an investment strategy focused on the four pillars of the media ecosystem: (i) SIGHT (Visual Content) (ii) SOUND (Audio, Music & Podcasting) (iii) PLAY (Gaming, Sports & Esports) (iv) LIVE (The Experience Economy) Powerhouse was founded in 2019 by veterans of Evolution Media, a platform investing in partnership with TPG and CAA, to invest in high growth companies. The Powerhouse team has directly relevant operating, investing and Board experience in these sectors, providing for a focused and unique perspective in sourcing opportunities for value creation.
2018
2018
Led our investment into Masterclass, the premiere global platform for "democratizing access to the genius" of the world's most renowned instructors.
2020
Recurrent is an innovative digital media company that empowers brands to grow, and connect with consumers in a way that is enjoyable, sustainable, inspiring, and profitable powered by a stable of 20+ digital media brands across automotive, home, lifestyle, military, outdoors, and science and tech. Its best-in-class brands like Popular Science, The Drive, Domino, MEL, Field & Stream, SAVEUR, Futurism, and Task & Purpose engage a combined audience of more than 50 million monthly unique visitors. Initially founded in late 2018 with the acquisition of The Drive, the portfolio rapidly expanded under the ownership and backing of North Equity LLC.
2018 - 2022
2018 - 2022
*EXIT to the NY Times: Feb 2022* The Athletic is a subscription-based sports media publisher with in-depth national & local coverage, smart analysis, exclusive stories and unique content from top writers. Quality journalism with no ads and a customizable, 5-star mobile app.
2019 - 2021
2019 - 2021
*EXIT to Amazon Feb 2021* Wondery is among the largest podcast publishers in the U.S. Launched in 2016—and made famous through its emotionally immersive podcasts—Wondery became the fastest network to join the Top 10 rankings by Podtrac, propelled by hit programs such as Dirty John, Dr. Death, American History Tellers, Business Wars, Hollywood & Crime and Gladiator.
2016 - 2019
2016 - 2019
Evolution Media is a $1bn global venture firm that invests in and forms strategic partnerships with entertainment, lifestyle, media, sports, and technology companies. Leveraging relationships with its founding members—Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and TPG Growth—Evolution is uniquely able to identify companies that will shape these industries. Based in Los Angeles, with offices in New York and Beijing, Evolution operates at key global intersections of entertainment and technology. Its portfolio spans a range of geographies and industries, with a specific focus on Video, Audio, Live+Ticketing, and Gaming & (E)Sports.
2018 - 2019
2018 - 2019
*EXIT* to Byju's in 2021 Epic! is a digital reading platform, an online library of sorts, for kids 12 and under. It boasts more than 35,000 books, audio books, comics & videos ad-free from 250 publishers including big brand names such as Sesame Street and National Geographic (three times the size of an average elementary school library). Epic! provides the service to teachers and schools for free as a utility, and as a direct-to-customer subscription service for parents & children.
2016 - 2019
2016 - 2019
*EXIT via acquisition to Super League Gaming (ticker: SLGG) in March 2021. Mobcrush is a mobile-first live streaming app and community for gamers. The company mission is to connect the world's gamers with one touch. We joined the board by leading the Series B investment in Mobcrush, along with existing investors Kleiner Perkins, Lowercase, Crosscut Ventures and First Round Capital, among others.
2016 - 2019
2016 - 2019
*EXIT* : Sale to Global Icons Brand Group
2011 - 2016
2011 - 2016
*PUBLIC MARKET EXIT*: $10bn NASDAQ listing in Q1 2021 (ticker: PLTK) Playtika is the largest social mobile casino gaming company in the world and was recently acquired for $4.4 billion in 2016 by a consortium of Chinese investors which included Jack Ma of Alibaba. At Playtika, Salim was responsible for BINGO Blitz, a top 10 grossing game in the world since inception across Facebook, iOS (iPhone + iPad), Google Play and Amazon App Stores. Salim was responsible for all commercial aspects of the business including Product, Monetization, Marketing, Analytics and Game Economy. BINGO Blitz was first acquired by Caesars Interactive in December 2012, before its subsequent sale.