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Recount Media developed a platform dedicated to concise, video-first political news analysis, aiming to cut through the noise and deliver straightforward journalistic content. Its core offering centered on short-form videos designed to help audiences quickly grasp complex political developments without extensive time commitments, leveraging visual storytelling to distill key information. The company positioned itself as an intelligent alternative for consuming political news in a digestible format.
The company was founded in 2018 by veteran journalists John Battelle and John Heilemann. Their insight stemmed from a perceived need for a more direct and efficient way for the public to understand political events in an increasingly fragmented media landscape. Battelle, known for his work in digital media, and Heilemann, a prominent political commentator, aimed to combine their expertise to address the challenges of news consumption in the digital age.
The Recount aimed to serve an audience seeking intelligent, no-nonsense political coverage, particularly those who found traditional news formats cumbersome or overly biased. Its vision was to redefine how political news is presented and consumed, fostering a more informed populace through accessible video content. However, the company faced significant operational challenges and suspended its operations in late 2022.
Recount Media has raised $31.0M across 2 funding rounds.
Recount Media has raised $31.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Recount Media has raised $31.0M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $18.0M Series B in May 2021.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 1, 2021 | $18M Series B | — | 305 Ventures, Ambridge Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, C2 Investment, Digital Currency Group, Energy Capital Ventures, IVP, Jonathan Golden, Propel Venture Partners, Queensbridge Venture Partners, Rebel Fund, Henry Fertik, SVG Ventures THRIVE, Marco Demeireles, Tusk Venture Partners, Union Square Ventures, Y Combinator, Anthony Saleh, Bobby Goodlatte, Catherine Wood, Greg Kidd | Announced |
| Mar 1, 2020 | $13M Series A | — | 305 Ventures, Ambridge Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, C2 Investment, Digital Currency Group, Energy Capital Ventures, IVP, Jonathan Golden, Propel Venture Partners, Queensbridge Venture Partners, Rebel Fund, Henry Fertik, SVG Ventures THRIVE, Marco Demeireles, Tusk Venture Partners, Union Square Ventures, Y Combinator, Anthony Saleh, Bobby Goodlatte, Catherine Wood, Greg Kidd | Announced |
Recount Media has raised $31.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Recount Media's investors include 305 Ventures, Ambridge Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, C2 Investment, Digital Currency Group, Energy Capital Ventures, IVP, Jonathan Golden, Propel Venture Partners, QueensBridge Venture Partners, Rebel Fund, Henry Fertik.
Recount Media is a New York City-based media startup founded in 2018, specializing in high-quality journalism through short-form videos and articles covering politics, technology, business, culture, and more.[2][3][4] It builds an online platform, The Recount (www.therecount.com), that curates clips from cable news and broadcasts, produces original videos and podcasts, and targets streaming and social media audiences seeking concise, balanced news without editorial bias or stale narratives.[1][2][4] Serving general consumers, particularly those on social platforms, it solves the problem of information overload by cutting through noise, rejecting misinformation, and driving dialogue via quick, factual content—rated least biased with high factual reporting and no failed fact checks in five years.[1]
The company has demonstrated strong growth momentum, raising $31 million total across funding rounds, including an $18 million round, backed by high-profile investors like Kevin Durant, Jay-Z, and ViacomCBS.[1][2] With around 38 employees and $8.9 million in revenue, it operates as a content studio rather than relying on ads or subscriptions.[1][2]
Recount Media, originally known as Moonrise Media, was founded in 2018 in New York City as an innovative approach to journalism amid rising demand for short-form video content.[2][3][4] While specific founders are not detailed in available sources, the company quickly gained traction by focusing on political coverage and expanding into technology, business, culture, and sports through curated news clips and original productions.[1][2][4]
A pivotal moment came with significant venture capital funding from celebrity and media investors, enabling scaling of its video journalism model.[1][2] In 2023, The Recount brand was acquired by The News Movement, founded in 2021 by William Lewis (former Dow Jones CEO) and Kamal Ahmed (ex-BBC journalist), shifting ownership from Recount Media, Inc. while preserving its core mission.[1]
Recount Media rides the wave of short-form video dominance on platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels, where attention spans favor quick, digestible news over long-form articles—timing perfectly with the 2018-2020 surge in social video consumption.[1][4] Market forces like misinformation proliferation and declining trust in traditional media favor its fact-focused, low-bias approach, positioning it as a bridge between cable broadcasts and digital natives.[1]
It influences the ecosystem by pioneering video journalism aggregation, inspiring similar content studios and enhancing NYC's media-tech hub status alongside peers in data collection and internet portals.[2][3] The 2023 acquisition by The News Movement underscores consolidation trends in digital news, amplifying its reach in countering "big lies" amid ongoing platform algorithm shifts.[1]
Recount Media's blend of credible, snackable content and VC firepower positions it for expansion into emerging formats like AI-curated clips or interactive podcasts, especially as social video evolves with AR/VR integration. Trends like regulatory scrutiny on misinformation and Gen Z's news habits will shape its path, potentially driving further acquisitions or partnerships. Its influence may grow by defining unbiased digital journalism, evolving from a startup aggregator to a scalable content engine—cementing its role in a fragmented media world much like its origins in rethinking video for the social era.
