Best Internet First Media Companies in Santa Monica, United States
The 31 best Internet First Media companies in Santa Monica, United States in 2026, ranked by funding and momentum. Funding, investors, founders, valuation, tech stack and live signals. Top: Leaf Group.
Ranked: Best Internet First Media companies in Santa Monica
| # | Company | Disclosed funding | Last round | Stage | Founder | Founded | Tech stack | Patents & IP focus | Recent signals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leaf Group Diversified internet company operating multiple digital properties | $356M | 114 mo ago | Acquired | Jantoon Reigersman CFO | 2006 | — | 54 patents AI-driven web content personalization, automated Q&A, revenue prediction, and multimedia overlay | — |
| 2 | Xfire Ultimate Wordle solver and resource for word puzzle enthusiasts | $18M | 173 mo ago | Acquired | — | 2002 | WordPressTypeScriptPHP+40 | 7 patents Multiplayer online gaming networking, matchmaking, and communication infrastructure | — |
| 3 | HitFix Entertainment and culture website covering music, film, TV, and more | $10M | 154 mo ago | Acquired | Jennifer Sargent CEO & co-founder | 2009 | — | — | — |
| 4 | Kuapay Provider of articles on personal finance, business, and lifestyle topics | $7M | 172 mo ago | Series A | Joaquin Ayuso Founder and CEO | 2011 | — | — | — |
| 5 | dot.LA Online portal offering LA startup news | $4M | 82 mo ago | Seed | Sam Adams Co-Founder & CEO | 2020 | VarnishNginxPrebid+14 | — | — |
| 6 | Gaming Society Provider of an online betting news platform for multiple sports | $4M | 55 mo ago | Seed | Kevin Garnett Co-Founder | 2020 | — | — | — |
| 7 | Donut Media Digital media brand focusing on auto enthusiasts | $920K | 101 mo ago | Acquired | — | 2015 | Cart FunctionalityShopifySentry+37 | — | — |
| 8 | Equities Impact investing media platform empowering mindful investors with values-aligned financial insights | $306K | 138 mo ago | Early Stage | — | 1951 | WordPressApple iCloud MailMySQL+26 | 2 patents Protective enclosures for patient transport stretchers, enhancing safety and infection control. | — |
Top 12 Internet First Media companies in Santa Monica
#1
Seed · Santa Monica, California · founded 2020 · 18 employees$3.5Mraised▾
Provider of an online betting news platform for multiple sports. It offers an online community platform that publishes betting news, podcasts, and reviews diversified events. It also analyses trending topics in sports with a betting twist using stats and insights, athlete perspective, and betting education.
- Apr 2022Seed$3.5M
#2
Acquired · Santa Monica, California · founded 2006 · 341 employees$356Mraised▾
Leaf Group is a diversified internet company which owns and operates multiple media (eHow, Livestrong.com, LeafTV, Cuteness, Techwalla, Sapling) and marketplace (Society6, Saatchi Art, The Other Art Fair) properties targeting consumers across multiple lifestyle segments. Monetizes using branded content creation and programmatic advertising.
- May 2017Post IPO$1.8M
- Aug 2014Post IPO$11.2M
- Sep 2013Conventional Debt$225M
- Jul 2013Post IPO$19.1M
#3
Acquired · Santa Monica, California · founded 2002 · 27 employees$18Mraised▾
Ultimate Wordle solver and resource for word puzzle enthusiasts. We provide tools and resources to help players excel at Wordle. Our flagship product is an interactive Wordle Word Finder, designed to transform yellow and grey letters into green. We offer comprehensive lists of five-letter words, categorized for various scenarios, including single-letter positions and two-letter sequences. Our goal is to enhance your Wordle experience by providing tools and insights to improve your gameplay. We are dedicated to the art of the solve, offering resources for both beginners and seasoned veterans. We aim to be the most powerful and comprehensive resource for Wordle players, offering tools as dedicated as they are. We provide hints and deep dives into word strategy. We offer a solver and an exhaustive library of five-letter word lists. We focus on the thrill of the puzzle and the satisfaction of a streak well-kept.
- May 2012Series C$3M
- Aug 2011Series C$4M
- Oct 2005Series C$5M
- Apr 2004Series C$5M
#4
Acquired · Santa Monica, California · founded 2009 · 14 employees$10.2Mraised▾
Entertainment and culture website covering music, film, TV, and more. It delivers insights and perspectives on the latest trends in entertainment, from in-depth analyses of movies and TV shows to coverage of emerging music artists and cultural phenomena. The platform features articles, reviews, and interviews, providing a comprehensive view of the entertainment landscape. It explores various facets of popular culture, including film, television, music, and digital media. It offers a diverse range of content, including features on film scores, director spotlights, and explorations of cultural trends. The website serves as a hub for entertainment enthusiasts seeking engaging and informative content.
- Dec 2013Series A$3.2M
- Jul 2013Series A$1.8M
- Jul 2011Series A$3.7M
- Mar 2010Seed$499.2K
#5
Seed · Santa Monica, California · founded 2020 · 16 employees$4Mraised▾
dot.LA, the soon-to-be-launched news and events company dedicated to covering L.A.’s startup and tech ecosystem
- Jan 2020Seed$4M
#6
Series A · Santa Monica, California · founded 2011 · 51 employees$6.9Mraised▾
Provider of articles on personal finance, business, and lifestyle topics. The website offers content related to money management, business strategies, and various lifestyle subjects. The blog covers topics such as budgeting, saving, investing, career advice, and entrepreneurial insights. It also includes articles on travel, food, and personal development.
- Jun 2012Series A$4M
- Apr 2012Seed$2M
- Mar 2012Seed—
- Mar 2011Seed$900K
#7
Acquired · Santa Monica, California · founded 2015 · 30 employees$920Kraised▾
Donut is a digital media brand focusing on automotive and motor sports enthusiasts. It creates and distributes native car content across social channels and provides a platform for purchasing apparels and accessories with their logo on it. They also stream live videos on motor sports, super cars, car pranks etc. Available on apple podcast.
- May 2018Seed—
- Apr 2017Seed$800K
- Jun 2016Seed$120K
#8
Early Stage · Santa Monica, California · founded 1951 · 11 employees$306Kraised▾
Impact investing media platform empowering mindful investors with values-aligned financial insights. It serves accredited investors, financial advisors, and asset managers with in-depth content. The platform focuses on megatrends like social impact, economic enterprise, environment, governance, healthcare innovations, and technology & AI. It spotlights companies driving innovation and creating real-world value. The company provides news, education, and information about companies offering products intended to provide positive outcomes for the environment and society. It highlights ETFs, mutual funds, stocks, and private investment opportunities. The platform aims to advance the shift toward investing in companies that are making a positive impact. It offers resources like articles, events, and influencer collaborations to inspire and inform investors. The company distributes content through various channels, including LinkedIn, YouTube, and financial publications.
#9
Deadpooled · Santa Monica, California · founded 2006$72.5Kraised▾
Creative network inspiring social impact through art, design, and innovation. This organization fosters a community of creators, designers, and artists dedicated to using their talents to positively change the world. They provide inspiration through various activities and online content, offering education to enhance social innovation capabilities. The organization actively promotes participation, supporting members in initiating change. They focus on advertising, architecture, art, creative design, film, technology, and more. The platform features interviews, news, events, and infographics, encouraging dialogue and action. It is a hub for those seeking to contribute to a better future through creativity, promoting collaboration and sustainable solutions.
- Dec 2007Seed$22.5K
- Nov 2007Seed$50K
#10
Series A · Santa Monica, California · founded 2014 · 9 employees—raised▾
Creative business consultants transforming businesses through content, entertainment, and digital strategies. They design and implement innovative solutions at the intersection of business, entertainment, and digital media. Offering strategic advice, creative development, and end-to-end execution, they help brands rethink social strategies, develop content, and create direct-to-consumer platforms. Their services include digital innovation, content marketing, social strategies, studio in-housing/outsourcing, data management consulting, and organization/workflow design. They operate as both a strategy shop and an innovation lab, focused on delivering return on investment through creative solutions.
- Feb 2015Series A—
- Jan 2015Series A—
#11
Funding Raised · Santa Monica, California · founded 2013—raised▾
Photo sharing for professional photojournalists
#12
Acquired · Santa Monica, California · founded 2007 · 51 employees—raised▾
Online content platform for beauty tips, news, and product reviews. The company offers makeup tips, fitness workouts, beauty advice, product reviews, hairstyling tips, and more. The company also aggregates multi-category beauty products.
- Mar 2009Series C—
Funding & investor landscape
Notable founders
Market landscape — 10 sub-themes by coverage
Share of Internet First Media coverage by sub-theme.
Regulatory-risk over time rising
Funding & growth over time
funding rising · growth rising