This page lists media venture capital firms in New York that back content, gaming, music, sports, consumer apps, and digital media startups. Most firms here invest at Seed and Series A, and many pair media with software, fintech, or marketing and advertising. Independent VCs sit alongside the corporate venture arms of large media groups, plus firms that also do private equity.
Why founders look for media venture capital firms in New York
New York is home to publishers, broadcasters, ad agencies, music labels, and sports leagues. Media startups can find customers, distribution partners, and talent close by, and investors here tend to understand advertising, subscription, and rights-based business models. For a wider view, see all venture capital firms in New York City or the national list of media and entertainment venture capital firms in the United States.
Every firm on this page tags media and entertainment, but few invest only there. Seed is the most common stage, and check sizes cluster in two bands: checks of $1 million to $5 million for seed to Series A, and checks of $10 million to $50 million for growth rounds. That mix suits founders building digital media, adtech, or creator tools.
Who backs media and entertainment startups in New York
Greycroft Partners
Greycroft Partners is a New York firm founded in 2006 that invests as both a venture capital and a private equity investor, with a stated total AUM of over $1 billion. It backs consumer brands, AI infrastructure, enterprise applications, and sustainability, and its media-adjacent bets include mobile games developer Scopely and social app Bumble. It invests from Seed to Series C+ with checks of $10 million to $50 million through funds such as Greycroft Partners VII and Greycroft Growth IV. Consumer app and gaming founders planning several rounds ahead will find a partner that can stay in.
Lerer Hippeau Ventures
Lerer Hippeau Ventures is an early-stage VC firm founded in New York City in 2010 by Eric Hippeau and Ben Lerer, with a strong focus on consumer-facing technology and media companies. It invests at Seed and Series A with checks of $1 million to $5 million across media, marketing and advertising, fintech, software, and cannabis. Portfolio companies include Hungryroot, K Health, and Zipline. Consumer media founders raising a first institutional round should start here.
Comcast Ventures
Comcast Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of Comcast NBCUniversal, founded in 1999 and based in New York. It backs seed to late-stage startups in data and AI, health tech, energy, sports, and telecommunications with checks of $10 million to $50 million, and offers access to its parent company's capabilities alongside capital. PlayersLounge, Resemble, HYPR, and Papa are in its portfolio. It suits founders whose product could plug into a large media and telecom group.
Betaworks Ventures
Betaworks Ventures, founded in New York City in 2008, is a VC firm that combines investing with product development and runs thematic programs it calls Camps. It writes checks of $1 million to $5 million at Seed and Series A, mostly into AI, digital media, and new interface technology. Hugging Face, Graze Social, and Opponent are among its portfolio companies. Technical teams building AI-native media or consumer tools will get the most from its hands-on model.
Hearst Ventures
Hearst Ventures is the corporate venture unit of Hearst, the diversified media and information company, and invests where media, information, and technology meet. It began with an investment in Netscape in 1995 and has offices in New York, London, Beijing, and Tel Aviv. Its listed stages run from Seed to Series B, with checks of $50 million to $100 million, and past investments include Roku, Buzzfeed, Pandora, and Via Transportation. Data and information startups that sell to publishers are a natural match.
Raine Ventures
Raine Ventures is the venture arm of The Raine Group, founded in 2013 and based in New York, with team members in London, Los Angeles, Mumbai, and Singapore. It targets entertainment, digital media, sports, and technology across North America, Europe, and Asia, at Seed and Series B, with checks of $1 million to $5 million. Notable investments include DraftKings, SoundCloud, and Vice Media. Sports, music, and gaming founders with international plans should put it on their list.
How to shortlist media investors from this list
- Match the stage first. Seed and Series A investors dominate this page, so use the stage filter above the list to drop firms that only join later rounds.
- Read check size as a stage signal. Checks under $1 million point to pre-seed and seed, while checks of $10 million to $50 million usually mean growth and late-stage rounds.
- Choose corporate or independent capital. Corporate VCs such as Comcast Ventures and Hearst Ventures can open distribution and partnerships, but consider how a strategic shareholder may affect deals with rival media groups.
- Check the second sector. Most firms here pair media with software, fintech, or marketing and advertising, so filter by the sector closest to your revenue model.
- Look beyond venture if you are profitable. Established media businesses seeking a buyout or minority partner should compare media and entertainment private equity firms in New York.
Private Equity List gives you a profile for each firm, partner contacts, and filters by sector, stage, and check size, so you can turn this list into a short set of investors worth pitching.