A music-based social platform just landed a round of funding from some star-studded angels.
Emoticast, a London-based entertainment messaging company, has raised an undisclosed amount in funding, bringing its total investment to $5 million. Investors in the latest round include Napster co-founder Sean Parker, music business mogul will.i.am, and DJ and producer David Guetta.
Emoticast is the company behind TuneMoji, apps that allow users share music GIFs with sound across platforms such as iMessage, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and Kik. The startup will use its new funding to grow partnerships, increase artist collaborations, and expand its messaging partner networks. Emoticast also raised a $1.5 million seed round in 2015, which is part of the $5 million investment.
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James Fabricant, who founded the company in 2014, is the former head of MySpace Europe. He says the backing of such high-profile industry leaders “is validation of the company’s success in catalyzing partnerships across the entertainment and messaging industries.”
The company has struck a number of partnerships with music labels, publishers, and entertainment companies. It has global licenses with Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, and Sony ATV. Emoticast is now expanding its focus from music gifs to film and television.