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Founded on February 6, 2008, by former Google employees Jason Liebman, Daniel Blackman, and Sanjay Raman, Howcast is a New York City-based platform. It specializes in producing and distributing instructional "how-to" videos across diverse topics, serving as an engaging destination for practical information. The company secured $8 million in Series A funding in 2008, led by Tudor Investment Corp., with JetBlue serving as its launch advertiser. Howcast generates revenue through advertising, including revenue-sharing arrangements with distribution partners, and content licensing, also monetizing user-generated content via its Director's Program. Its video library has grown to over 100,000 videos, with its YouTube channel alone featuring 22,990 videos and an approximate net worth of $2 million. The platform has established distribution deals with platforms like MySpace, Verizon, Joost, and ROO.
Howcast has raised $2.0M across 1 funding round.
Howcast has raised $2.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Howcast is a New York-based media and technology company specializing in creating, distributing, and optimizing high-quality instructional "how-to" video content.[3][4] It serves content creators, brands, and audiences seeking practical guidance on topics like tech products, smart devices, and home technology, solving the problem of accessible, expert-led video education through scalable production and distribution.[4][5] With 5-9 employees and $1M-$5M in revenue, Howcast streams over 25 million videos monthly via partnerships with major portals like Yahoo!, AOL, Hulu, and MSN, blending media expertise with tech-driven solutions for content lifecycle management.[1][2][4]
Howcast emerged in the mid-2000s as a pioneer in new media, capitalizing on the rise of online video platforms to build a business around instructional content.[2][3] Founders leveraged early internet video trends, starting with user-generated and professionally produced "how-to" videos that gained traction through viral distribution.[3] Pivotal moments included forging key relationships with web giants for massive reach—streaming 25 million videos monthly—and evolving from pure content creation to a hybrid media-tech model offering end-to-end solutions.[2][4]
Howcast rides the wave of instructional video content in the digital media ecosystem, timing its growth with the explosion of online video in the 2000s and the shift toward short-form, educational formats.[2][3] Market forces like surging demand for "how-to" tutorials amid consumer tech adoption (e.g., smart homes, devices) favor its model, amplified by partnerships with legacy portals during YouTube's rise.[2][5] It influences the ecosystem by democratizing video production tools and distribution, paving the way for modern platforms while sustaining a niche in evergreen educational content.[4]
Howcast's lean operation (5-9 employees, steady $1M-$5M revenue) suggests resilience in a matured video market, but growth hinges on expanding tech capabilities like AI-driven personalization or new distribution channels amid declining legacy portal traffic.[1][2] Trends like short-form video dominance (e.g., TikTok) and interactive edtech could reshape its journey, potentially evolving into a B2B SaaS for creator tools. Its influence may grow by influencing hybrid media-tech hybrids, tying back to its roots as a nimble pioneer in instructional content that outlasted flashier new media experiments.[3][4]
Howcast has raised $2.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Howcast's investors include B Capital Group, Felicis Ventures, Founders Fund, Index Ventures, Merus Capital, Neotribe Ventures, Section 32, Joshua Schachter, Mike Kourey, Sean Park.
Howcast has raised $2.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $2.0M Series A in September 2008.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2008 | $2.0M Series A | B Capital Group, Felicis Ventures, Founders Fund, Index Ventures, Merus Capital, Neotribe Ventures, Section 32, Joshua Schachter, Mike Kourey, Sean Park |