TalkShopLive Raises $6M for Live Video Shopping Platform

Talkshoplive Secures $6 Million Seed Extension

Five months subsequent to announcing a $3 million seed funding round led by Spero Ventures, Talkshoplive – a live video shopping platform – has successfully obtained a $6 million seed extension. This latest investment was spearheaded by Raine Ventures.

This new capital injection brings the total funding raised by the Los Angeles-based Talkshoplive to $10.5 million. The funds will be strategically allocated to expand the company’s product management and technical engineering teams.

Company Origins and Growth

Talkshoplive was established in 2018 by Bryan Moore and his sister, Tina. Moore’s prior experience included leading social media initiatives at both Twentieth Television (formerly Twentieth Century Fox) and CBS Television.

Following the initial seed round, the company experienced heightened investor interest. This ultimately led to engagement with San Francisco-based Raine Ventures.

According to Moore, the company wasn't actively seeking additional funding, but Raine’s strategic offerings proved too valuable to overlook. He emphasized that live commerce is currently at a similar developmental stage to social media was fifteen years ago.

Expanding Beyond Initial Focus

Initially, Talkshoplive concentrated on books and music, collaborating with prominent figures like Matthew McConaughey, Alicia Keys, and Dolly Parton. The company is now broadening its scope to encompass categories such as food, beauty, fashion, and sports.

“We’ve seen significant engagement from personalities within the Food Network, who have begun utilizing Talkshoplive,” Moore stated. “A thriving community centered around food has emerged on the platform, particularly after Giada De Laurentiis offered a glimpse inside her pantry.”

Increased Player Adoption and Revenue Growth

Although the company’s embeddable player was first launched in 2019, its adoption rate has surged in the recent quarter, driven by new strategic partnerships.

Three weeks ago, Talkshoplive unveiled an updated version of its embeddable player, partnering with Hearst, including Oprah Daily, and Condé Nast’s Bon Appétit magazine. Further rollouts across additional publications are currently underway.

The company’s sales figures for the current year have already exceeded its total revenue from 2020, demonstrating a month-over-month growth rate of 85 percent.

The Rise of Live Commerce

The global pandemic significantly accelerated the growth of live commerce platforms, particularly those serving enthusiasts of sports cards and collectibles. Other companies in this space, such as Alt (raising $31 million in May) and Whatnot (securing $20 million in Series A funding in March), have also recently received substantial investment.

Strategic Partnerships and Future Outlook

Moore expressed his enthusiasm for collaborating with Raine Ventures, alongside a group of angel investors from the entertainment and retail sectors. These include Matt Blank, former chairman and CEO of Showtime; David Levy, chairman of Genius Sports; and Eva Jeanbart-Lorenzotti, founder of Vivre.

Gordon Rubenstein, managing partner at Raine Ventures, commented, “We are confident that Talkshoplive possesses a unique technology and strategy that will continue to foster the adoption of live commerce.” He further highlighted the company’s clear value proposition and strong team.

Talkshoplive is poised to capitalize on the expanding live commerce market, offering a platform that aligns incentives for all stakeholders within the retail ecosystem.