Feb 27, 2014

ZEFR, a platform that builds social marketing and rights management software for online video, has raised USD30m in a new financing led by Institutional Venture Partners (IVP). Existing investors US Venture Partners, Shasta Ventures, First Round Capital and Richmond Park Partners also participated. In conjunction with the financing, IVP general partner Dennis Phelps has joined ZEFR’s board of directors. The new capital will be used to drive the company’s software development and grow its sales and marketing teams. ZEFR provides SaaS solutions for the largest brands and content owners on YouTube. ZEFR’s BrandID platform connects fans and franchises and help brands manage and monetize their fans. Brands like Adidas and agencies like Wieden and Kennedy and the Starcom Media Group use BrandID to identify a brand’s fan-uploaded content (as well as competitor content) and connect the brand with those who care about it most. ZEFR also manages and monetizes professional rights for major studios and labels. Clients include Warner Bros., Saturday Night Live, Sony Music, Real Madrid, Universal Pictures, and others. “IVP and Dennis are well regarded for their support of entrepreneurs, the value they bring to their portfolio companies and their stellar portfolio. When we thought about our growth round, we knew we wanted to work with them,” says Zach James, co-founder, ZEFR. “This is an exciting time for ZEFR. Our software solution fills a huge need in the market, we have an incredible team and we have momentum. With the new capital, we are going to add fuel to the fire.”   “Zach and Rich are world-class entrepreneurs who saw a massive opportunity in thinking about the YouTube platform for large brands and content owners,” says Phelps. “ZEFR is the market leader and delivers real value for its enterprise customers. We are thrilled to be part of the next phase of the company’s growth.”