Top 15 Venture Capital Firms Shaping Media and Entertainment

For founders in Media and Entertainment, finding the right investor means more than just securing capital. You need a partner who understands the specific challenges and opportunities within creative industries like digital media, gaming, or sports tech. Knowing which VC firms specialize in this space is the first step to a successful fundraise.

To help you find the right fit, our team at Rho has curated this overview of top media and entertainment venture capital firms. Think of it as a starting point to quickly identify the investors who are most active and knowledgeable in your field.

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Which VC Firms in Media and Entertainment Are Right for Your Stage?

Whether you're just starting out or preparing for an exit, it’s helpful to know who to talk to. Here is a quick overview of which venture capital firms in media and entertainment invest at each stage.

Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms in Media and Entertainment

This initial funding stage is for getting your idea off the ground, typically to build a first product and find market fit. For founders in media and entertainment, some seed venture capital firms to know are the New York-based HearstLab, which focuses on women-led startups, Atlanta's Sound Media Ventures, and Not Boring Capital.

Early Stage VC Firms in Media and Entertainment

Early-stage funding, such as a Series A or B, is for companies that have a product with initial traction and are ready to scale their team and customer base. A few notable early-stage VC firms include the consumer-focused Torch Capital, the hospitality-centric Branded Hospitality, and RSE Ventures, which backs companies in sports and entertainment.

Late Stage VC Firms in Media and Entertainment

Late-stage capital is for established companies looking to fund significant growth, expand into new markets, or prepare for an exit like an acquisition or IPO. Among the major venture capital firms that operate at this stage are the Los Angeles-based TCG, Boston's Schooner Capital, and the corporate venture arm Hearst Ventures.

Of course, many of the most active venture capital firms are multi-stage investors that support companies from seed all the way through to exit.

Here is a closer look at some of the top VC firms that focus on the media and entertainment industry. We've included key details on their investment stages, geographic focus, and what makes each firm a compelling partner for founders like you.

1. TCG

Based in Los Angeles, TCG is a multi-stage investment firm that partners with companies from their earliest days through to the public markets. They focus on investing in and actively helping to build consumer-oriented businesses.

The firm has a strong track record in media and entertainment, backing well-known brands like Barstool Sports and Crunchyroll. Their portfolio also includes major tech successes like Ring and OpenSea, showing their ability to support companies with massive consumer appeal and significant exit potential.

TCG could be a great partner if you're building a consumer-facing company with high-growth ambitions. Their experience guiding companies toward major acquisitions and IPOs is a clear advantage for teams with unicorn-level goals.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, late-stage, and private equity
• Industries of focus: Digital media, film and TV production, and media and entertainment
• Geographical presence: Based in Los Angeles, California
• Founded: 2010
• Notable investments: Barstool Sports, Crunchyroll, Ring, OpenSea, Oura
• Track record: Over 120 investments and 25 exits

You can refer to their website here.

2. Torch Capital

Torch Capital is a New York-based, early-stage venture fund that invests in consumer technology companies. They also back the infrastructure businesses that support these consumer-facing brands.

The firm has a clear focus on brands that directly touch people's lives, with a portfolio that includes major successes like the telehealth platform Ro and the salad chain Sweetgreen. Their strategy involves backing both the consumer-facing companies and the foundational tech that helps them operate.

If you are an early-stage founder building a consumer brand with the potential for massive scale, Torch could be a strong partner. Their track record shows an aptitude for identifying and supporting companies that become household names.

• Investment stages: Seed and early-stage
• Industries of focus: Consumer technology, financial services, health care, media and entertainment, and wellness
• Geographical presence: Based in New York, New York
• Founded: 2018
• Notable investments: Acorns, Ro, Sweetgreen, Thrasio, Lobos 1707
• Track record: Over 90 investments and 6 exits

You can refer to their website here.

3. Branded Hospitality

Based in New York, Branded Hospitality is an investment firm that focuses on the intersection of hospitality, technology, and media. They support companies creating new solutions for the food and beverage, retail, and entertainment industries.

The firm's portfolio shows a clear preference for technology that enhances the consumer experience, from mobile ordering platforms like Bbot to autonomous delivery with Ottonomy IO. They also back high-profile consumer brands, such as Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken restaurant chain.

Branded Hospitality could be a good fit if you're building a tech-enabled business in the hospitality or restaurant sector. Their focus on both B2B solutions and direct-to-consumer brands suggests they value founders who understand how technology can improve real-world operations.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, private equity
• Industries of focus: Hospitality, food and beverage, media and entertainment, retail technology
• Geographical presence: Based in New York, New York
• Founded: 2017
• Notable investments: Bbot (acquired by DoorDash), PourMyBeer, Ottonomy IO, Big Chicken
• Track record: Over 70 investments and 8 exits

You can refer to their website here.

4. Schooner Capital

Schooner Capital is a Boston-based private investment firm with a long history of backing companies since 1971. They operate across multiple funding stages, from initial seed rounds all the way to late-stage and private equity investments.

What's notable about Schooner is their broad investment scope, which spans from media and entertainment to pharmaceuticals and clean energy. Their portfolio includes major exits like the acquisition of Seventh Generation by Unilever and the IPO of Cullinan Oncology.

Schooner Capital could be a good partner if your company operates in one of their core sectors and you're looking for a flexible, long-term investor. Their ability to fund across stages suggests they can support a company's entire growth journey.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, late-stage, and private equity
• Industries of focus: Financial services, media and entertainment, medical device, and pharmaceutical
• Geographical presence: Based in Boston, Massachusetts
• Founded: 1971
• Notable investments: Seventh Generation, Cullinan Oncology, Commonwealth Fusion Systems, 4G Clinical
• Track record: Over 70 investments and 14 exits

You can refer to their website here.

5. Sony Music Entertainment

As the corporate venture arm of the global music giant, Sony Music Entertainment invests in startups that are shaping the future of its industry. While primarily a music corporation, its investment activity shows a clear focus on the technology and media companies that influence how people create and consume content.

The firm’s investment strategy is closely linked to its core business, with a portfolio that includes the AI music platform Vermillio and the podcast studio Neon Hum, which it later fully acquired. This approach highlights a priority for companies that can directly support or expand its own operations in music and digital media.

Sony Music could be an excellent partner for founders building technology in the music sector. They offer deep industry knowledge and a potential strategic path for partnership or acquisition, as demonstrated by their successful exits with companies like Shazam and IODA.

• Investor type: Corporate Venture Capital
• Industries of focus: Digital Entertainment, Media and Entertainment, Music
• Geographical presence: Based in New York, New York
• Founded: 1929
• Notable investments: Neon Hum, Vermillio, Shazam, Keyhole Inc., IODA
• Track record: 27 investments and 5 exits

You can refer to their website here.

6. Powerhouse Capital

Powerhouse Capital is a Los Angeles-based venture fund that invests in technology, media, and entertainment companies. They are a multi-stage investor, supporting businesses from seed rounds through to later-stage growth.

The firm has a strong portfolio of well-known consumer brands, including the podcast network Wondery and the subscription sports site The Athletic. This focus on high-profile, direct-to-consumer companies with major exit potential is a key part of their strategy.

Powerhouse could be a great match if you are building a consumer-facing company in media, gaming, or entertainment with ambitions for a large-scale acquisition. Their track record shows they are skilled at backing brands that become household names.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, late-stage, and private equity
• Industries of focus: Media and entertainment, gaming, audio, video, and music
• Geographical presence: Based in Los Angeles, California
• Founded: 2019
• Notable investments: Wondery, The Athletic, MasterClass, Calm, Epic! Kids
• Track record: Over 24 investments and 5 exits

You can refer to their website here.

7. Not Boring Capital

Not Boring Capital is a venture fund that invests in companies with powerful stories. They focus on seed and early-stage startups, helping founders build a strong narrative around their business.

The firm’s distinct approach is built around storytelling, using its well-known media platform to help portfolio companies gain visibility. Their investments in businesses like the AI data company Scale and the health-tech platform NexHealth show a focus on ambitious, product-led companies.

Not Boring Capital is an excellent fit if you have a compelling story behind your startup and want a partner who can help you tell it. Founders who value strategic communication and marketing will find their model especially helpful.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage
• Industries of focus: Information technology, media and entertainment
• Geographical presence: Based in Seattle, Washington
• Founded: 2019
• Notable investments: Scale, NexHealth, Snackpass, Mirror, MarketerHire
• Fund size: $8 million
• Track record: 28 investments and 2 exits

You can refer to their website here.

8. MassVentures

MassVentures is a Boston-based venture capital firm dedicated to fostering the growth of startups exclusively within Massachusetts. Since its founding in 1978, it has provided capital and support to help local companies prosper.

The firm’s defining characteristic is its deep, long-term commitment to the state's tech ecosystem, investing across seed, early, and late stages. Its portfolio shows a strong history of backing B2B tech companies and achieving successful exits, including the acquisition of crowd-testing platform Applause.

MassVentures is an excellent choice for founders based in Massachusetts who are building companies in information technology, security, or media. Their local focus and track record make them a valuable partner for startups seeking an investor with deep roots in the regional market.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, late-stage, and grants
• Industries of focus: Information technology, media and entertainment, and security
• Geographical presence: Based in Boston, with a focus on Massachusetts-based companies
• Founded: 1978
• Notable investments: Applause, OwnerIQ, MachineMetrics, lifeIMAGE
• Track record: Over 430 investments and 79 exits

You can refer to their website here.

9. MCJ

MCJ is a Boston-based venture capital firm with a clear mission: to back founders tackling climate change. They support companies across seed, early, and late stages that are driving the transition in energy and industry.

What's distinctive about MCJ is its dedicated focus on climate tech, even while listing media and entertainment as an area of interest. Their portfolio includes climate unicorns like Crusoe Energy Systems and Arcadia, showing a commitment to businesses with major environmental impact.

MCJ is an ideal partner if your startup has a strong climate-related mission at its core. Founders in media or tech should have a clear angle on sustainability or energy efficiency to align with this firm's focus.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage
• Industries of focus: Climate technology, energy, information technology, media and entertainment
• Geographical presence: Based in Boston, Massachusetts
• Founded: 2019
• Notable investments: Crusoe Energy Systems, Arcadia, Heirloom
• Track record: 78 investments

You can refer to their website here.

10. Progress Ventures

Progress Ventures is a Boston-based investment fund that concentrates on the advertising and digital media markets. They primarily support companies at the early stage, helping them find their footing and grow.

The firm has a distinct focus on advertising and digital media technology, backing companies that build the infrastructure for these industries. Their track record shows a pattern of successful exits, including the IPO of Integral Ad Science and the acquisition of TruOptik.

Progress Ventures could be a strong partner if you're an early-stage founder building technology for the advertising or digital media industries. Their deep focus and history of successful exits suggest they are well-suited for companies with clear B2B models and significant growth potential.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, late-stage, and debt
• Industries of focus: Advertising technology and digital media
• Geographical presence: Based in Boston, Massachusetts
• Founded: 2008
• Notable investments: Integral Ad Science, TruOptik, Simpli.fi, Sovrn
• Track record: 33 investments and 11 exits

You can refer to their website here.

11. Hearst Ventures

Hearst Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of the global media company, Hearst. The firm invests in early-stage to late-stage companies, with a focus on information, software, and media technology.

As a multi-stage investor, the firm supports companies from their earliest days through to significant growth. Their portfolio includes major media and tech successes like Roku, BuzzFeed, and Pandora, showing a long history of backing category-defining brands with major exits.

This firm is a great match for founders building businesses in media and enterprise technology who seek a strategic partner. Their connection to the Hearst corporation offers deep industry access and a clear path to significant scale.

• Investor type: Corporate Venture Capital
• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage
• Industries of focus: Media and entertainment, information services, and software
• Geographical presence: Based in New York, New York
• Founded: 1995
• Notable investments: Roku, BuzzFeed, Pandora, Via Transportation, Broadcast.com
• Track record: Over 180 investments and 50 exits

You can refer to their website here.

12. HearstLab

HearstLab is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage, tech-enabled startups led by women. Based in New York, they provide capital and support to help founders build and scale their businesses.

The firm's defining feature is its exclusive focus on backing women founders, a mission it supports through its connection to the global media company, Hearst. Their portfolio is diverse, including companies like the estate-planning platform FreeWill and the climate-tech startup Planet FWD, showing a broad interest in strong tech businesses.

HearstLab could be an excellent partner if you are a woman founder leading a tech-enabled company at the seed or early stage. Their connection to the Hearst corporation provides a unique advantage, especially for startups in media and marketing.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage
• Industries of focus: Media and entertainment, fintech, information technology, marketing, analytics
• Geographical presence: Based in New York, New York
• Founded: 2016
• Key focus: Exclusively invests in women-led startups.
• Notable investments: FreeWill, GlossGenius, StrongDM, PowerToFly, Planet FWD
• Track record: Over 70 investments and 3 exits

You can refer to their website here.

13. Sound Media Ventures

Sound Media Ventures is an Atlanta-based firm that invests in and mentors media technology startups around the world. They focus on discovering and supporting companies that are building the future of media.

The firm shows a clear interest in emerging technologies, with a portfolio that includes the Web3 identity platform Unstoppable Domains and the esports organization Ghost Gaming. Their track record includes several successful acquisitions, such as the art streaming service Loupe, signaling a focus on companies with strong exit potential.

This firm is a good fit for early-stage founders building in media tech, particularly in Web3, gaming, or digital content. If you're looking for an investor with a specific focus on these areas and a history of guiding companies to successful exits, Sound Media Ventures could be a strong match.

• Investment stages: Seed, convertible note, and early-stage venture
• Industries of focus: Media technology, blockchain
• Geographical presence: Based in Atlanta, Georgia
• Founded: 2019
• Notable investments: Unstoppable Domains, Ghost Gaming, Loupe
• Track record: 22 investments and 3 exits

You can refer to their website here.

14. RSE Ventures

RSE Ventures is a New York-based private investment firm that builds and backs companies at the intersection of sports, media, and consumer brands. They operate as an incubator, venture capital, and private equity firm, giving them a flexible approach to partnerships.

The firm has a distinct focus on culturally relevant brands, from tech platforms to food and lifestyle companies. Their portfolio includes the restaurant reservation service Resy, which was acquired by American Express, and the Drone Racing League.

RSE Ventures is a strong potential partner if you are building a consumer-facing business in sports, media, or food. Founders looking for a hands-on investor with experience in both brand-building and technology will find their model particularly valuable.

• Investment stages: Early-stage and venture
• Industries of focus: Sports, entertainment, media, marketing, food, and lifestyle
• Geographical presence: Based in New York, New York
• Founded: 2012
• Notable investments: Resy, Drone Racing League, Momofuku, The Action Network, Magnolia Bakery
• Track record: Over 40 investments and 15 exits

You can refer to their website here.

15. Sterling.VC

Sterling.VC is a New York-based venture capital firm that invests from seed through to later stages. They have a strong focus on companies operating in sports, eSports, and web3.

The firm's portfolio shows a clear interest in businesses with the potential for major public exits, including the smart-lock platform Latch and the identity company CLEAR Secure. They also back foundational web3 brands like The Sandbox, a well-known metaverse gaming world.

Sterling.VC is a good match if you are a founder in the web3, gaming, or sports technology sectors. Their experience guiding companies to IPOs and SPACs makes them a valuable partner for teams with ambitions for the public markets.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture
• Industries of focus: Web3, blockchain, eSports, sports, and media and entertainment
• Geographical presence: Based in New York, New York
• Founded: 2014
• Notable investments: Latch, The Sandbox, CLEAR Secure
• Track record: Over 60 investments and 10 exits

You can refer to their website here.

What This Tells Us About The VC Scene for Media and Entertainment Companies

Looking at this list, it's clear that the investor community for media and entertainment companies is diverse. You'll find firms that focus specifically on early-stage startups, as well as multi-stage investors prepared to support your company from seed funding through to a major exit. This balance provides opportunities for founders at nearly every point of their growth.

Geographically, many of these firms are clustered in major hubs like New York, Los Angeles, and Boston. Beyond location, there's a variety of investor types, from corporate venture arms offering deep industry connections to funds with a specific focus, like climate tech or women-led startups. The main takeaway from our research is that finding the right partner requires looking closely at a firm's specific interests and investment stage to align with your company's goals.

Raise Confidently with Rho

Having a focused list of investors who understand your industry is a significant advantage. It allows you to direct your energy where it matters most, making your fundraising process more effective.

Once your round is closed, the work of building your company begins. If you’ve just raised, Rho can help you set up your financial stack in minutes.

We provide the tools you need to manage your new capital with confidence. Our platform combines business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay, all in one place for growing startups.

FAQs about Venture Capital Firms Focused on Media and Entertainment

What are the main media VC hubs outside of the US?

While many top firms are in the US, London and Berlin are major European hubs for media and entertainment investment. You'll also find active investors in cities like Toronto, each with their own focus on specific media sectors.

Are there many sports venture capital firms in NYC?

New York is a major center for sports investment. Firms like RSE Ventures and Sterling.VC are based there, backing companies in sports, eSports, and media. Our list highlights several key players active in the city's growing sports tech scene.

How do I find gaming venture capital firms?

Look for investors with a specific gaming thesis. Firms like Powerhouse Capital and Sound Media Ventures actively invest in gaming and esports. Check their portfolios to see if they have backed companies similar to yours in the past.

What's the difference between early-stage and late-stage VCs?

Early-stage VCs, like Torch Capital or Not Boring, fund product development and initial growth. Late-stage firms, such as TCG, provide larger checks to established companies for scaling, market expansion, or preparing for an IPO.

Are celebrity venture capital firms a good option?

Celebrity-backed funds can offer significant brand exposure and industry connections. However, you should evaluate them like any other investor, focusing on their track record, strategic value, and alignment with your long-term goals for the company.

How can Rho help my startup after fundraising?

Once your round is closed, we help you manage your new capital. Our platform combines banking, corporate cards, and automated payments in one place, giving you the financial tools to build your business. Get started with Rho today.