The former founders of Buddy Media, Niche, Qwiki and other exited New York startups have raised for new stealthy projects, filings show.
Over the last five years, more than $31.7B of capital has flowed into New York’s tech scene. And as New York sees more tech exits, it appears more entrepreneurs are staying put for their next go-around in turn creating a new stealthy startup. These include a stealth startup named Shape Operating System Industries, which filed for a $1.6M share offering just last week.
Shape is led by CEO Michael Lazerow, who previously benefited from Buddy Media’s $745M acquisition by Salesforce
This is obviously a good thing for the health of the New York tech scene. Using CB Insights data, we highlight six of the most recent NY-based startups that are either in stealth or have recently exited stealth mode, that are founded by serial entrepreneurs. Each has raised some form of initial investment since December 2016.
Shape Operating System Industries
Previous Startup: Buddy Media (acquired by Salesforce)
The Brooklyn-based stealth startup is founded by Michael Lazerow, who previously led social media management software startup Buddy Media to an $745M acquisition by Salesforce in 2012 (which still ranks among New York’s biggest tech exits of all time). Lazerow has gone on to become an active angel investor. Shape Operating System Industries raised $1.55M, according to an SEC filing dated June 30.
Wing Tel
Previous Startup: Elite Daily (acquired by The Daily Mail then by Bustle)
The New York-based stealth startup is co-founded by David Arabov and Jonothon San Pedro, previously CEO and COO of millennial news platform Elite Daily. A third listed co-founder Yury Yakubchyk hints on his LinkedIn profile that Wing is building “a wireless telecom selling domestic and international mobile plans.” Wing Tel raised $300K in debt funding, per a filing dated January 2017.
Thirty Madison
Previous startup: GetMaid (acquired by Homejoy)
The Astoria-based startup Thirty Madison is founded by Steven Gutentag and Demetri Karagas, the former co-founders of GetMaid, acquired by Homejoy in 2014. The startup raised $2.75M in May, according to a filing. Rebecca Kaden, of consumer-only venture firm Maveron, is a board director.
Brat
Previous startup: Niche (acquired by Twitter)
Brat is founded by Rob Fishman, former co-founder of social marketing startup Niche, which was acquired by Twitter in 2015 for more than $30M. According to a recent interview, Brat is looking to create free, scripted original content featuring “top Internet talent.” Brat raised $2.47M in March, per an SEC filing.
Interspace Technologies
Previous startup: Vine (acquired by Twitter)
Brooklyn-based Interspace is founded by Dominik Hofmann, the creator of video-sharing startup Vine, acquired by Twitter for a reported $30M in 2012 and shut down in January 2017. Interspace raised $3.58M in March, according to a recent filing.
Get Attached
Previous startup: Qwiki (acquired by Yahoo)
Get Attached is co-founded by Doug Imbruce and Greg Pape, the former founder and engineering director of Qwiki, an automated video production startup acquired by Yahoo for $50M in 2013. Attached raised $700k in debt financing in December 2016, per a filing. Attached offers an app that automatically updates friends with a user’s latest photos.
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