funding

• Group Nine Raises $50 Million From Discovery And Axel Springer For IP, Commerce Division, Acquisitions
• FameBit Founders Raise $2.2 Million For Podcast Advertising Startup ‘Podcorn’

  The founders of Famebit -- an influencer marketing startup subsequently acquired by Google -- are looking to bring their expertise to the podcast space with a new company called Podcorn.

  
• Rapper Offset Invests In Leading Esports Collective FaZe Clan

  Another rap luminary has invested in one of esports buzziest factions. Offset, who is a member of hip hop trio the Migos and the husband of Cardi B, has tendered an undisclosed investment in the FaZe Clan.

  
• Snapchat To Raise $1 Billion In Debt Financing, In Part To Fund Acquisitions

  Snapchat’s parent company Snap has announced plans to raise $1 billion in debt financing. The difference between debt financing and traditional equity funding is that Snap will agree to pay back its investors, as opposed to giving them an ownership stake in the company.

  
• HQ Trivia Turns Down New Funding Amid Layoffs, Internal Petition To Oust CEO (Report)
• Patreon Announces $60 Million Funding Round, With Participation From Creators Hannibal Buress, Serj Tankian
• Cameo Raises $50 Million In Series B, Has Hosted 275,000 Video Shoutouts In 2 Years
• Influencer Marketing Platform CreatorIQ Raises $12 Million At $40 To $50 Million Valuation
• After Laying Off 250 Staffers, Vice Is Now Looking To Raise $200 Million (Report)
• Esports Pioneer Alex Garfield Raises $9 Million To Launch Gaming Upstart ‘Popdog’
• ‘Little Baby Bum’ Owner Moonbug Raises $145 Million To Build Brand-Safe Kids’ Content Empire
• Drake And Scooter Braun Join Nadeshot’s ‘100 Thieves’ Esports Startup, Which Has Raised $25 Million To Date