The New York social TV startup Umami announced a $1.65MM seed funding round today as it prepares to roll out a second-screen iPad app in time for the fall television season.
Umami bills itself as a “turnkey publishing platform” for networks to create second-screen experiences around TV shows at lower cost than creating one themselves. Run by industry vets Scott Rosenberg (Rovi, TV Guide, ReplayTV) and Bryan Slavin (LightningCast, Leap Wireless), Umami’s app is currently in closed beta with several TV networks.
Battery Ventures and NEA led the funding round. “Umami’s approach delivers on the age-old promise of interactive television, filling a gap with TV audiences who are armed with iPads and craving more content and a deeper relationship with their favorite programming,” said Alex Benik, Battery Ventures. “We are excited to back a team with a compelling consumer product and deep, first-hand experience serving TV networks and advertisers.”
While Umami is still mostly in stealth mode, it looks like its closest competitor is likely Loyalize, which offers white-label second-screen apps for TV networks and sports leagues.