Eko is a media and technology company that builds a platform for creating and publishing interactive, choice-driven video experiences, enabling viewers to shape live-action stories through branching narratives.[1][2][3] It serves media companies, independent creators, top brands, and e-commerce businesses by solving the problem of static video engagement, offering tools for immersive, personalized content like interactive shopping galleries that boost sales and customer understanding.[1][2][4] The platform has demonstrated growth through partnerships with brands like Andie Swim, Impact Dog Crates, NZXT, and Mockingbird, where it drives conversions by letting users explore products virtually.[4]
Originally focused on entertainment, Eko has evolved toward AI-powered e-commerce applications, providing interactive video galleries that capture product qualities and simulate in-store experiences online.[4]
Eko traces its roots to 2010, when it was founded as Interlude by Israeli rock musician Yoni Bloch in Tel Aviv and New York.[3] The idea emerged from Bloch's vision to revolutionize video storytelling, creating a "traversable video tree" where users make streaming choices that alter narratives or perspectives, as seen in high-profile projects like Sony's interactive music video for Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone."[3]
Pivotal moments include its 2016 rebrand to Eko and attracting major backers such as Sequoia Capital, Intel Capital, New Enterprise Associates (NEA), Warner Music Group, Sony Pictures, Samsung, and Walmart, which fueled expansion into web-distributed interactive multimedia.[1][3] Early traction came from media partnerships, humanizing its shift from entertainment to practical tools for brands.[1][2]
(Note: Eko Health, a separate firm in digital stethoscopes and AI disease detection, is not the focus here.[5])
Eko rides the wave of interactive media and e-commerce video trends, where static content falls short amid rising consumer demand for immersive, personalized experiences.[1][4] Timing aligns with e-commerce growth post-pandemic, as brands seek to replicate in-store interactions online—market forces like AI integration and short-attention spans favor its branching video tech.[2][4]
It influences the ecosystem by empowering creators and retailers to stand out, enhancing engagement for high-value goods (e.g., apparel, tech, pet products), and bridging entertainment tools with commerce, backed by media giants like Sony and Warner.[3][4]
Eko is poised to expand its AI-driven e-commerce video platform, capitalizing on trends like shoppable media and AR/VR integration to further blur lines between entertainment and sales. As interactive content becomes standard in retail, expect deeper partnerships with global brands and potential acquisitions by e-commerce giants. Its evolution from storytelling pioneer to conversion engine positions it to shape how digital natives shop, amplifying its role in a video-first economy—echoing its founding promise of viewer-shaped narratives now driving real revenue.[1][4]
Eko has raised $88.1M in total across 7 funding rounds.
Eko's investors include Motivate Ventures, Techstars, 2048 Ventures, High Alpha, MAGIC Fund, Accel, Innovation Endeavors, InterWest, Redpoint Ventures, rocketship.vc, S Capital VC, StageOne Ventures.
Eko has raised $88.1M across 7 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $400K Seed in March 2024.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 1, 2024 | $400K Seed | Motivate Ventures, Techstars | |
| Jun 1, 2023 | $960K Seed | 2048 Ventures, High Alpha, MAGIC Fund, Motivate Ventures, Techstars | |
| Nov 1, 2022 | $700K Seed | 2048 Ventures, High Alpha, MAGIC Fund, Motivate Ventures, Techstars | |
| Jun 1, 2016 | $45.0M Venture Round | ||
| Oct 1, 2015 | $21.0M Series B | Accel, Innovation Endeavors, InterWest, Redpoint Ventures, rocketship.vc, S Capital VC, StageOne Ventures, Team8, Guy Resheff, Yuval Shahar | |
| May 1, 2013 | $17.0M Series B | Accel, Innovation Endeavors, InterWest, Redpoint Ventures, rocketship.vc, S Capital VC, StageOne Ventures, Team8, Guy Resheff, Yuval Shahar | |
| Feb 1, 2011 | $3.0M Seed | S Capital VC, StageOne Ventures, Guy Resheff |
