# Genius Media Group

Startup profile on Capital Atlas: https://capitalatlas.ai/startups/genius-media-group

- Industry: Software
- Headquarters: Brooklyn, US
- Website: www.genius.com
- Total disclosed funding: $59M
- Latest round: Series B (Jul 13, 2014)
- Investors on record: 3

## About

Genius Media Group Inc. is a digital platform focused on the collection and distribution of song lyrics and music knowledge, catering to music lovers, artists, and educators globally.Founded in 2009 in Brooklyn, US, Genius Media Group Inc. specializes in providing a platform for song lyrics and annotations. The company was co-founded by Ali Boujnane, Tom Lehman, and Ved Prakash. Tom Lehman currently serves as CEO. In September 2021, Genius was acquired by MediaLab for USD 80 mn, marking a significant business transition. Genius has successfully completed 8 deals to date, with the latest funding round being a Trade Sale, raising a total of USD 80 mn across all funding rounds.Genius operates as a comprehensive platform dedicated to the collection and dissemination of song lyrics and musical knowledge. Its core offerings include an extensive database of song lyrics, annotations, and musical insights, catering to music enthusiasts, artists, and educators. The platform allows users to search for specific lyrics, explore detailed song analyses, and engage with a community of contributors who provide annotations and interpretations of songs. Genius serves a diverse customer base, including casual music listeners, researchers, and industry professionals, with products available globally in markets including North America, Europe, and Asia. The company enhances the music experience by providing greater context and understanding of songs.The revenue model of Genius primarily revolves around advertising and partnerships, leveraging its robust user engagement and traffic. The company generates revenue through sponsored content and advertising placements on its platform, as well as through collaborations with music labels and artists to promote new releases and exclusive content. Genius may also engage in subscription services that could provide enhanced features or ad-free experiences for users. While specific pricing structures for its services or partnerships have not been disclosed, the organization capitalizes on its large user base to negotiate favorable terms with advertisers and partners. The flagship service of Genius remains its vast collection of song lyrics and annotations, attracting high levels of traffic and engagement from users.Incorporating the recent acquisition by MediaLab, Genius is expected to utilize the USD 80 mn raised to expand its product offerings and enhance user experience. The strategy includes developing new features and possibly expanding into new geographic regions, targeting growth in Europe and Asia by the end of 2023. The continual enhancement of its existing services will support Genius's efforts to engage its audience further.

## Funding rounds

- Series B, Jul 13, 2014, $40M — Andreessen Horowitz
- Series A, Oct 4, 2012, $17M — Andreessen Horowitz
- Seed, Aug 25, 2011, $1.8M — Betaworks Ventures Management
- Seed, Jun 1, 2011 — Y Combinator

## Investors

- Y Combinator (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/y-combinator) — Seed
- Betaworks Ventures Management (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/betaworks-ventures-management) — Seed
- Andreessen Horowitz (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/andreessen-horowitz) — Series A, Series B