‘Internet of Things’ Beckons New VC Firm

“The connected world was there a decade ago,” Mahn said, adding how she sees companies pitching an idea as the “Internet of Things” when they’re really just jumping on the latest buzz. “There’s no way we can avoid buzzwords but we really try to go deeper.”

Moonscape will look for companies with substance that will make a difference. Mahn asks, “Are you really solving something? Are you taking it to the next level?”

Its first investment is $3.1 million in startup SocialStudios, whose technology uses social media data to automatically create and curate personalized video content. Vocativ will be the first company to use SocialStudios’ technology to build a personalized video platform enabling its users to view content highly tailored to their interests and those of their close social circles. Now in beta, SocialStudios will be incorporated in the Vocativ offering this fall.

Mahn said Moonscape has “two more investments that we think we’ll close in the next month” that will be more aligned with Moonscape’s broader vision to bring the Internet of Things to the consumer.

Moonscape says it will offer not just funding, but also a slew of resources to help budding companies.

“Unlike the traditional funds, we have a pool of experts,” said Mahn, who has worked for more than a decade in the venture capital industry at global firms Hamilton Lane, Pitango Venture Capital, Evergreen Venture Capital and McKinsey Consulting.

The addition of Moonscape Ventures to Kochavi’s existing group of companies will give the companies that Moonscape works with access to the engineers, scientists and technology already in Kochavi’s network. They will also have the opportunity to partner with Kochavi’s companies, like AGT and Vocativ, and work with existing customers and projects around the world.

Moreover, Mahn adds “they can get that experience in a sheltered environment.”

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