Comcast Interactive Capital

Former Top Editor Makes Another Talent Raid on AOL’s Engadget for New Competing Gadget Site

Kara Swisher in Media on July 7, 2011 at 9:24 am PT

I love the smell of blog wars in the morning! Acting as Facebook often does to Google, a new site started by former Engadget editor Josh Topolsky just hired away yet another passel of tech journalists from the giant gadgets news and reviews organization. It is Topolsky’s second major talent raid since he left his editor-in-chief job there in March, for a new gadget property aimed at unseating Engadget.

Former AOL Media Exec Marty Moe to Join Engadget Gang of Eight at SB Nation

Kara Swisher in News on April 6, 2011 at 8:49 am PT

Just what is SB Nation’s Jim Bankoff up to? Earlier this week, he hired away eight staffers from AOL’s Engadget in order to create a competing tech news and gadget site. And now, according to sources close to the situation, the former AOL content head is close to hiring another former top AOL media exec, Marty Moe, to manage it and also more niche sites the blog network is contemplating launching.

SB Nation Sacks AOL in Raid of Former Engadget Team for Competing New Tech Site, As AOL Zeroes in on New EiC

Kara Swisher in News on April 3, 2011 at 7:34 pm PT

Jim Bankoff, the fomer AOL exec responsible for buying Engadget for the Internet portal, has grabbed eight staffers who had recently left the huge tech site amid tensions, in order to start a new gadget property for his SB Nation sports and news platform. The site–which is still unnamed and will be run by outgoing Engadget Editor-in-Chief Josh Topolsky–will debut sometime in the fall. Meanwhile, AOL has zeroed in on a new leader to replace Topolsky.

Perfect Market Raises Another $9 Million to Help Papers Sell Old News

Peter Kafka in Media on January 17, 2011 at 9:00 pm PT

Perfect Market doesn’t promise to save the newspaper business. But the company says it can help papers wring more money out of the stuff they’re already making.

Exclusive: SnagFilms Snags $10 Million in Funding at $50 Million Valuation

Kara Swisher in News on January 16, 2011 at 4:15 pm PT

SnagFilms, the online video distribution site for professional documentaries, has nabbed $10 million in funding from Comcast’s investment arm and New Enterprise Associates, and will also now be distributing fictional independent releases. That and the new investment giving SnagFilms a valuation of $50 million should be big news at the 11th Sundance Film Festival, the famous independent film gathering opening in Park City, Utah, on Thursday.

Exclusive: Comcast's Top Digital Exec Amy Banse to Open New Silicon Valley Equity Fund for Cable Giant and NBC

Kara Swisher in News on November 15, 2010 at 12:09 am PT

Amy Banse, currently the president of Comcast Interactive Media, is shifting into a job as head of a new Silicon Valley-based equity fund aimed at making digital investments for the television cable giant, as well as its new NBC Universal unit, according to sources with knowledge of the plans. As part of the shift, sources said, Banse will be charged with combining two existing corporate investment funds: NBC U’s Peacock Equity and Comcast Interactive Capital.

Exclusive: SB Nation Raises $10.5 Million in Khosla Ventures-Led Series C Round

Kara Swisher in News on November 8, 2010 at 12:02 am PT

SB Nation, the Washington, D.C.-based sports blog and news start-up, has just completed a $10.5 million Series C round, which is being led by Khosla Ventures, according to sources. SB Nation has already raised about $13 million in total venture funding from Accel Partners, Allen & Company, Comcast Interactive Capital, as well as angel investors such as Ted Leonsis and others in Silicon Valley.

Let's Go to the Videotape: SB Nation's Jim Bankoff Speaks!

Kara Swisher in News on May 4, 2010 at 8:30 am PT

While in Washington, D.C., recently, I paid a visit to Jim Bankoff, who is now helming a fascinating start-up called SB Nation, a fast-growing sports blog and news platform. With over 200 individual communities, it’s a mix of professional and user-generated content aimed at engaging passionate fans.

Former AOLer Jim Bankoff Scores $7 Million for Sports News and Community Start-Up

Kara Swisher in News on July 16, 2009 at 3:51 pm PT

Jim Bankoff–the well-regarded former AOL exec who runs an online sports news network called SB Nation–has nabbed $7 million in funding from investors, including Comcast Interactive Capital, said sources. People familiar with the situation said SB Nation’s post-investment valuation, after this second round, will be $30 million and also include previous investors, such as Accel Partners and Allen & Co.