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§ Private Profile · New York City, NY, USA
Video calling social network for group video chats integrated with iMessage, serving high school and teen users, focused on private video.
Fam has raised $2.0M across 1 funding round.
Key people at Fam.
Fam was founded in 2017 by Eddie Zhang (Founder/CTO) and Mike McIntyre (Founder/CEO).
Fam has raised $2.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Fam is a video calling social network designed for private group video chats integrated directly into the Apple iMessage ecosystem, operating from an undisclosed headquarters location. The platform targets high school and teenage demographics, evolving from a previous social news service that had successfully expanded to 11,000 schools across the United States. Operating with a team of 11 employees, the company focuses on facilitating seamless, high-quality video hangout experiences without utilizing public broadcasting features. The enterprise secured $1.8 million in a funding round closed in late 2016, adding to an earlier $2 million raise, with financial backing from investors Flybridge Capital, Boston Seed Capital, and Wayne Chang. Originally established under the name Smack in late 2013 before officially launching the Fam application in December 2016, the company was co-founded by Chief Executive Officer Giuseppe Stuto.
Key people at Fam.
Fam was founded in 2017 by Eddie Zhang (Founder/CTO) and Mike McIntyre (Founder/CEO).
Fam has raised $2.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Fam's investors include Flybridge Capital Partners, Baird Capital, Baseline Ventures, Boston Seed Capital, BoxGroup, Brainchild, Converge Venture Partners, CP Ventures, Founder Collective, G20 Ventures, High Alpha, Impact America Fund.
Fam has raised $2.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $2.0M Seed in August 2015.
| Date | Company | Round | Lead Investor(s) | Co-Investor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 7, 2023 | Stegra | $1.6B Other Equity | Klas Johansson, Yong Cheen Choo, Pierre Etienne Franc, Shaun Kingsbury CBE | Cristina Stenbeck, AMF, AP2, Hitachi Energy, IMAS Foundation, Georgi Ganev, Schaeffler, Vargas |
| May 31, 2021 | Stegra | $105.1M Series A | — | Altor, ANE Uggla, Cristina Stenbeck, Daniel EK, Robert Maersk Uggla, Bilstein Group, Markus Schäfer, Exor, Petter Odhnoff, Kingspan, Marcegaglia, Anders Williamsson, SMS Group, Stena Metall Finans, Carl Erik Lagercrantz |
| Feb 14, 2019 | Peltarion | $20.0M Series A | Euclidean Capital | EQT Ventures |
| May 8, 2018 | Peltarion | $13.1M Other Equity | — | EQT Ventures |
| Jul 6, 2017 | Sol Voltaics | $21.3M Other Equity | — | Blue Marlin Partners, Industrifonden, Kagra Gruppen, Nano Future Invest, Teknoinvest, Watrium |
| May 12, 2016 | Sol Voltaics | $17.0M Grant / Series C | Khalid AL Saleh | European Union, Industrifonden, Nano Future Invest, Swedish Energy Agency, Umoe |
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 1, 2015 | $2M Seed | Flybridge Capital Partners | Baird Capital, Baseline Ventures, Boston Seed Capital, BoxGroup, Brainchild, Converge Venture Partners, CP Ventures, Founder Collective, G20 Ventures, High Alpha, Impact America Fund, Kain Capital, Kindred Ventures, L'Attitude Ventures, Offline Ventures, ONE WAY Ventures, Propeller VC, PSG, Silversmith Capital Partners, Slow Ventures, Trajectory Ventures, WGI Group, Y Combinator, Dharmesh Shah, Eric Ries, Jennifer LUM, Mike Volpe, Othman Laraki, Scott Belsky, David Chang, Michael Baker | Announced |
Fam is a live video calling social network designed to connect users with their real-life friends and help them make new friends through group video chats that mimic in-person socializing. The app allows users to dial up to 100+ people at once, seeing who joins the call, and also facilitates daily group calls with people who share similar interests. It aims to provide a fast, reliable, and battery-efficient way to hang out virtually, ensuring users always have relevant people to talk to and avoid boredom[1].
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Fam was founded to create a social networking experience that closely resembles real-life socializing through live video. The idea emerged from the need for a more natural and spontaneous way to connect with friends and meet new people beyond static messaging or small video calls. Early traction came from users appreciating the ability to dial large groups and see who joins, fostering a dynamic social environment. The founder, Mac, remains actively engaged with user feedback to refine the app experience and address concerns such as privacy and user safety[1].
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Fam rides the growing trend of video-first social networking, accelerated by increased demand for virtual social interaction post-pandemic. The timing is favorable as users seek more authentic, engaging ways to connect online beyond text and small video calls. Market forces such as widespread smartphone adoption, improved mobile bandwidth, and user appetite for community-driven platforms support Fam’s growth. By focusing on large, dynamic group video calls, Fam influences the broader ecosystem by pushing social apps toward more immersive, real-time experiences that blend social discovery with live interaction[1][2].
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Fam’s next steps likely involve enhancing privacy controls, refining user experience, and expanding features that encourage safe, meaningful social interactions. Trends shaping its journey include the rise of metaverse-like social spaces, AI-driven matchmaking for social calls, and integration with other social platforms. As video calling becomes a standard social medium, Fam’s influence could grow by setting standards for large-scale, spontaneous group video interactions that feel natural and engaging. Its success will hinge on balancing openness with user safety and privacy, ensuring it remains a trusted space for social connection[1].