GV, the subsidiary of internet and technology group Alphabet, has led a $12m funding round for US-based, female-focused online media brand TheSkimm, Recode has reported.
Entertainment producer 21st Century Fox, venture capital firm RRE Ventures and VC fund Homebrew also participated, having joined VC firm Greycroft Partners for the company’s last round, an $8m series B in June 2016.
TheSkimm started life in 2012 as a curated emailed newsletter targeted at millennial women but has expanded to incorporate interviews and a range of features such as audio and visual explanations of news stories and a tool that integrates cultural events into a user’s online calendar.
The company said in a statement: “We have revolutionised the delivery of news and information to the most coveted demographic and, as we look to grow our membership by expanding our products and services, GV’s expertise and data-driven mindset makes them the ideal partner to aid in our expansion.
The round took TheSkimm’s total funding to about $28m. Homebrew had been an investor since its $1.1m seed round in 2013, and it contributed to the company’s $6.3m series A in 2014 alongside RRE, Greycroft and various angel investors.
TheSkimm received an additional $500,000 from media company New York Times and individual investors Yannick Bolloré and Mariska Hargitay in September 2016.