US-based enterprise content marketing platform NewsCred yesterday picked up $20m in a series E round that featured advertising and public relations services provider Dentsu.
InterWest Partners led the round, which also included Escalate Capital Partners, FTV Capital, Mayfield Fund, FirstMark Capital and Greycroft.
Founded in 2008, NewsCred’s platform connects companies with freelance writers to ideate, plan, govern and measure marketing campaigns and support content. The company has undergone several pivots over the years, having started out as a credibility-ranking tool for news.
The money will accelerate research and development activities and support global expansion efforts across the US, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific.
NewsCred’s total funding stands at more than $100m following the latest round. The company previously closed a $42m series D round in 2015 led by FTV Capital, with participation from FirstMark Capital, InterWest Partners and Mayfield Fund.
AOL Ventures, the now-defunct corporate venturing arm of media company AOL – which has since been acquired by mass media group Verizon – participated in a $4m series A round in 2011 led by FirstMark Capital, with contributions from Advancit Capital and Lerer Ventures.
Digital First Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm and incubator of newspaper publisher Digital First Media, provided an undisclosed amount of funding as part of a strategic partnership agreement in 2013. NewsCred’s backers also include IA Ventures and Floodgate.
