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Key people at Sound Media Ventures.
Sound Media Ventures operates as a venture capital firm, actively discovering, investing in, and mentoring early-stage media and technology startups. The firm's approach focuses on backing novel, scalable, and defensible businesses across the United States. They provide strategic support alongside capital, aiming to cultivate innovative companies within their targeted sectors.
Founded in 2019 by Shachar Oren, Sound Media Ventures emerged from his extensive background in media and technology leadership, including executive roles at Peloton Interactive and as CEO of Neurotic Media. Oren's insight stemmed from recognizing the need for specialized capital and mentorship for nascent companies within the rapidly evolving media and technology landscapes.
The firm's portfolio comprises early-stage technology and media companies seeking both investment and strategic guidance. Sound Media Ventures envisions itself as a pivotal partner for founders, working to accelerate growth and foster innovation within the digital media ecosystem. Their long-term objective is to build a robust collection of enterprises that shape the future of media and technology.
Key people at Sound Media Ventures.
Sound Media Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 2019 that specializes in discovering, investing in, and mentoring early-stage startups innovating in media technology. Their mission centers on backing founders who transform how media is created, distributed, and monetized by leveraging novel, scalable, and defensible technologies. The firm’s investment philosophy emphasizes the convergence of cutting-edge technologies such as generative AI, VR, 5G, robotics, and Web3 to accelerate connectivity and the globalization of media audiences. Key sectors include media tech, entertainment, advertising technology (AdTech), artificial intelligence, edtech, and physical AI robotics. Sound Media Ventures plays a significant role in the startup ecosystem by providing capital, strategic support, and market intelligence to help startups scale and impact the evolving media landscape[1][2][4].
Sound Media Ventures was founded in 2019 by Shachar Oren in Atlanta, Georgia. The founding team comprises entrepreneurs, engineers, data scientists, operators, and risk managers with deep expertise in media and technology. The firm initially focused on media and entertainment technologies but has since expanded into deep tech sectors, including blockchain and physical AI robotics. Over time, Sound Media Ventures has evolved its focus through multiple funds—SMV Fund I, SMV Blockchain Fund I, and SMV III Physical AI Fund—reflecting its conviction in emerging technologies and their potential to disrupt traditional media and adjacent industries[1][2][4].
Sound Media Ventures rides the wave of rapid technological convergence in media and entertainment, driven by generative AI, VR, 5G, robotics, and blockchain. This timing is critical as these technologies redefine content creation, distribution, and monetization, enabling new business models and global audience reach. The firm’s focus on physical AI robotics also aligns with broader industrial automation and AI trends across multiple sectors. By backing startups at the intersection of media and deep tech, Sound Media Ventures influences the broader ecosystem by accelerating innovation, fostering cross-sector collaboration, and supporting the rise of streaming giants and new media platforms[1][2].
Looking ahead, Sound Media Ventures is poised to deepen its investments in physical AI and generative AI, sectors expected to drive the next wave of media and technology disruption. Their multi-fund strategy and strong network position them to capitalize on emerging trends in robotics, blockchain, and AI-powered media technologies. As these technologies mature, the firm’s influence will likely expand beyond media into adjacent industries such as logistics, healthcare, and defense, reinforcing its role as a key enabler of transformative innovation. The continued globalization of media consumption and the rise of immersive technologies will provide fertile ground for Sound Media Ventures’ portfolio companies to scale and shape the future of media[2][4].
| Date | Company | Round | Lead Investor(s) | Co-Investor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 9, 2026 | Haply | $11.7M Seed | Sound Media Ventures | Amazon Industrial Innovation Fund, Business Development Bank of Canada, Hanwha Asset Management, Hustle Fund, Two Small Fish Ventures |
| Dec 1, 2023 | Overplay | $3.0M Seed | Sound Media Ventures, Mark Cuban | Thomas Vu, Everyrealm, Gaingels, Red & Blue Ventures, Singularity Capital |
| Mar 23, 2023 | Loupe | $3.0M Seed | Kate Vale | Atlanta Technology Angels, Oliver Libby, Goal Ventures, Phoenix Capital Ventures, Yolo Investments |
| Oct 1, 2021 | Sporting Icons Ltd | $100K Seed | — | — |
| Sep 1, 2021 | Press Sports App | $2.0M Seed | Niko Bonatsos | Overline VC, Techstars |
| May 1, 2021 | Boomy Corporation | $100K Seed | — | — |
| Feb 1, 2021 | Ghost Gaming | $100K Seed | — | — |
| Nov 1, 2020 | Sora ID | $560K Seed | — | A* Capital (A Star Capital), Good Growth Capital |
| Aug 22, 2020 | Virtual Arts | $2.0M Seed | — | Joel Flory, Quake Capital, Thunderstruck Dance Competitions |
| Jun 1, 2020 | Tribe XR | $100K Seed | — | — |
| Mar 1, 2020 | Dance Fight | $100K Seed | — | — |
