Medium Acquires Projector & Strengthens Leadership Team

Medium Acquires Projector to Enhance Creator Tools

The content publishing platform, Medium, has announced the acquisition of Projector, a burgeoning startup specializing in graphic design. As a result of this agreement, the complete Projector team will be integrated into Medium’s operations.

Trevor O’Brien, co-founder and CEO of Projector, is assuming the position of Medium’s chief product officer. This marks a significant addition to Medium’s leadership structure.

Projector: A Browser-Based Design Solution

Projector has developed a browser-based graphic design tool accessible to users of all skill levels. With just a few clicks, individuals can generate visuals for various social media platforms.

The platform allows for the creation of graphics such as podcast artwork, Facebook event logos, and Instagram stories. No prior professional design experience is necessary.

Users can leverage a comprehensive library of pre-designed templates. These templates can then be easily personalized by swapping images and modifying text.

Collaboration and Versatility

Beyond static graphics, Projector also supports the creation of animated GIFs and presentations. Real-time collaboration features enable teams to work together seamlessly on projects.

Finished designs and presentations can be shared conveniently via a unique link. This facilitates easy distribution and feedback.

Financial Details and Investment

While the financial terms of the acquisition remain undisclosed, it’s known that Projector had garnered a user base of 100,000 individuals. The startup successfully raised $23 million across three rounds of funding.

Investors included Upfront Ventures, Mayfield Fund, Foundry Group, Upside Partnership, Homebrew, Mantis VC, and Van Wickle Ventures. Mark Suster and Rishi Garg also served on the company’s board.

Team Integration and Leadership Changes

A team of 13 individuals from Projector will be joining Medium. Trevor O’Brien brings extensive experience from previous roles at Coda, Twitter, and YouTube.

Luke Millar, Projector’s co-founder and VP of Engineering, will transition into the role of Medium’s VP of Engineering.

Future Plans for Projector Technology

According to Trevor O’Brien, Projector will not continue operating as a standalone product in the long term. The primary objective is to integrate Projector’s technologies and expertise into the core Medium platform.

This integration will focus on developing superior creator tools and enhancing the overall reader experience. Projector will remain operational through March 2022 to assist existing users with transitioning their work.

Existing customers will be able to export their designs and creations during this period.

Potential Enhancements to Medium

The acquisition suggests potential improvements to Medium’s design capabilities, allowing for greater customization of sites, posts, and newsletters. Enhanced real-time collaboration features are also anticipated.

Medium’s existing post editor is already recognized for its clean and intuitive design. The integration of Projector’s expertise may extend this design-focused approach to multimedia content.