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The Dodo has raised $7.0M across 2 funding rounds.
Key people at The Dodo.
The Dodo has raised $7.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
The Dodo operates as a leading digital media company dedicated to animal-centric content, producing engaging stories and videos that highlight animal welfare and nature. The platform specializes in creating emotionally resonant narratives around rescues, incredible animal bonds, and broader environmental issues, distributed primarily through social media channels to maximize reach and impact.
The company was launched in January 2014 by co-founders Izzie Lerer and Kerry Lauerman. Izzie Lerer, who holds a PhD in animal studies from Columbia University with a focus on animal ethics, identified a significant opportunity in the burgeoning virality of online animal content, recognizing a gap for a dedicated and authoritative voice. This personal passion, coupled with a strategic understanding of digital media, led to the formation of The Dodo.
The Dodo caters to a global audience of animal enthusiasts and advocates, seeking to inform, entertain, and inspire action regarding animal lives. Its long-term vision centers on fostering a deeper connection between humans and the animal kingdom, leveraging compelling storytelling to promote empathy and responsible stewardship for all creatures. The platform aims to be the definitive digital community for animal stories.
The Dodo has raised $7.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
The Dodo's investors include BoxGroup, ENIAC Ventures, RRE Ventures, SoftBank Capital, Ben Lerer, Fred Harman, Greycroft, Sterling Select Group.
The Dodo is a digital media company specializing in animal content, producing emotionally compelling videos, stories, and social media posts to foster love for animals and drive real-world impact.[1][3][6] Its mission is to help audiences make emotional connections to animals—from pets to endangered species—by entertaining, informing, and inspiring positive action, positioning itself as the top animal brand on social media with billions of views.[1][5][6] The company serves animal lovers worldwide, solving the problem of animal apathy through highly shareable content that promotes advocacy, adoptions, and rights awareness; it has expanded into initiatives like pet adoption tools and eco-friendly practices while hiring remotely for content roles.[2][3][5]
The Dodo emerged as a digital media startup focused on animal storytelling, though specific founding year and founders are not detailed in available sources.[3][6] A pivotal moment came in 2018 when its video, editorial, social, and content staff unionized successfully (34-4 vote), codifying values like transparency and editorial standards amid growth in branded content and TV ambitions.[1] Early traction built on viral social media success, leading to partnerships (e.g., pet adoption projects with SPCA) and expansions into advocacy tools, reflecting its evolution from content creator to mission-driven media leader.[1][2]
The Dodo rides the wave of social media-driven advocacy, where short-form video dominates animal rights awareness amid rising digital pet culture and sustainability trends.[1][3] Timing aligns with platforms prioritizing viral, feel-good content, amplifying its billions of views to influence adoptions and policy—market forces like remote work and freelance models further enable its scalable, global reach.[5] It shapes the ecosystem by modeling mission-aligned media startups, unionizing creative labor, and partnering on tech tools, proving digital storytelling can drive tangible animal welfare in a fragmented attention economy.[1][2]
The Dodo's trajectory points to deeper multimedia expansion, like TV and interactive adoption platforms, fueled by social algorithms favoring emotional content.[1][2] Trends in AI-enhanced personalization and Web3 animal NFTs could boost engagement, while climate-animal intersections strengthen advocacy. Its influence may grow as a blueprint for ethical digital media, evolving from viral videos to ecosystem shapers—ultimately making animal care as shareable as ever.[1][3][6]
Key people at The Dodo.
The Dodo has raised $7.0M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $5.0M Series A in September 2014.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2014 | $5M Series A | — | BoxGroup, Eniac Ventures, RRE Ventures, SoftBank Capital | Announced |
| Jan 1, 2014 | $2M Seed | BEN Lerer | BoxGroup, Eniac Ventures, RRE Ventures, SoftBank Capital, Fred Harman, Greycroft, Sterling Select Group | Announced |
