• Battery Ventures And NEA Back Social TV App Umami

    Leena Rao

    Leena Rao is currently a Senior Editor for TechCrunch. She recently finished graduate school at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, where she studied business journalism and videography. From 2004 to 2007, she helped lead Congresswoman Carloyn Maloney’s community outreach and relations efforts in New York City. She graduated from Columbia University in 2003, where she was... → Learn More

    Tuesday, August 16th, 2011
    Umami - TV. Enhanced.

    More cash is flowing in for social TV apps. Stealthy company Umami has raised $1.65 million in seed funding from Battery Ventures, NEA and other angels for the companion, social TV platform.

    While details about Umami are limited, we know the startup’s free iPad app is currently in closed beta with TV networks and is set to launch with the Fall 2011 television season. Similar to apps like Miso and GetGlue, Umami provides TV viewers with a second screen experience to television content. Umami adds additional contextual content around the programs viewers are watching, and also offers a platform for networks to engage with consumers.

    Umami was founded by Rovi’s former VP of Advanced Advertising Scott Rosenberg and Bryan Slavin, who has held technology and product roles at Lightningcast (acquired by AOL), Leap Wireless, and Broadsoft. At Lightningcast, he helped launch broadband video advertising products and solutions with TV networks and built the the startup’s online video ad network.

    The startup faces competition from GetGlue, Miso, TV Tune-In and others.

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