New York-based startup Outbrain has raised $5 million in a Series A funding from Gemini Israel Funds, Lightsteed Venture Partners and Glen Rock Israel. The company, headed by Yaron Galai, co-founder of Quigo (sold to AOL), provides ratings and recommendations for web content — including blogs. How they are going to make money off their business is not evident at this time. Allen Stern says that sponsored recommendations are one way for them to make money. Gemini Israel Fund’ Daniel Cohen has his take on the investment.
hmmm…you posted this at 12EST, then techcrunch posted the story at 12:16EST – are you guys on IM? ;)
Om,
I think Outbrain’s (as well as most, if not all recommendation services) business model is SELL ITSELF. :-)
Read more about this investment at http://coheda.typepad.com/israel/2008/02/geminis-new-inv.html
FYI Om, last year when I met with them they discussed sponsored recommendations as their revenue model:
http://www.centernetworks.com/my-chat-with-outbrain-rating-widget-for-blogs
I linked you up on today’s post as your question is very valid.
@allen,
thanks for input on this. I am linking to your older post. best