FOUNDING LETTER
November 5, 2019

We came together to build this company from three very different backgrounds, with wildly different paths to get here. But we all shared overwhelming curiosity, a deep interest in thinking about the future, and similar values. And we all loved starting and growing new companies. Peter and Jesse joined forces to start The Chernin Group in 2010 and Mike came on board in 2015. Our collective experiences, respect, and admiration for one another have shaped The Chernin Group for the last decade. We now look forward to this new chapter together.

Over the past ten years, we’ve partnered with many entrepreneurs and management teams building consumer businesses across a variety of industries. Each time, we learned a little more about how people were behaving differently than they had in the past. When we thought we could turn those observations into conviction about how consumers would continue to behave, opportunities soon followed.

In the beginning, our focus and conviction were greatest in media. We had some ideas about how technology would re-shuffle the media landscape. We thought new businesses would emerge that would have strong brand identities, passionate fan bases, and solid business models. We loved direct-to-consumer, subscription businesses, and founders that had done the hard work of building a great brand but needed help scaling. When we found management teams we believed in, we invested in their companies, got to work on their behalf, and encouraged them to go bigger. Along the way we offered up advice, helped them recruit talented leaders, and provided access to capital.

Over time, we found that our thesis in media was transferable to what was occurring across all consumer industries – from commerce and health and wellness, to gaming, consumer finance, and more. The sectors were different, but the characteristics of what made for a great, emerging consumer business were quite similar. So, we began partnering with these consumer companies across all sectors and before we knew it, we had 70+ portfolio companies. We were having fun and felt fortunate to be involved with these great companies.

Part of what made this so fun was our team. We assembled a group of talented folks from diverse backgrounds who all shared the same hustle, drive, and curiosity.

Fast forward a few years, we’ve accomplished a lot. We’ve helped founders realize their visions across the consumer landscape and we’re hungry for more.

To implement our strategy on a broader scale, we have shifted from a holding company to an investment firm which we call ‘TCG’. In many ways, it’s the same team running back the same playbook. We’re still singularly focused on consumer platforms and brands.

You may know a lot about us, you may have heard of us but have questions about what exactly we do, or this may be the first time you’re hearing of us. We have purposefully remained low key for the last 10 years. While we now have a website, you can expect that our investments and company executives will do most of the talking from here on out. We hope our newest companies will be more evidence of the aspirations for the firm – bespoke, ambitious, unique, and focused.

We just closed our new fund with over $700M of commitments from investors. Our teams in Los Angeles and San Francisco are growing and we’ve since added a New York office. We’re trying hard to carry forward the culture we’ve built over the years. Stay curious. Be creative. Care deeply. Do it all with some levity.

TCG is just another chapter in the same book we’ve been writing together for nearly a decade. What will tomorrow’s consumers want? Which companies are building toward that? Which founders feel destined to win? What would happen if we helped?

Let’s find out.

Peter Chernin

Jesse Jacobs

Mike Kerns

We invest in companies that define culture.

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Classic Football Shirts

Classic Football Shirts is the global hub to buy authentic football shirts, boasting the largest collection globally for football shirt fans and enthusiasts.

Who to know

Doug BiertonFounder & Chief Executive Officer

Matt DaleFounder & Chief Commercial Officer

Gary BiertonCo-Founder & Chief Growth Officer

Cars & Bids

Cars & Bids is the online destination for modern automotive enthusiasts. Co-founded by wildly popular automotive personality Doug DeMuro, the online platform combines a leading auction website to buy and sell modern enthusiast cars with one of the most well-known YouTube channels in the sector.

Who to know

Doug DeMuroCo-Founder

Blake MachadoCo-Founder

Ro ChoyCEO

Papa

Papa is creating a new kind of care built on human connection. Across the country, health plans and employers rely on Papa to provide vital social support by pairing older adults and families with Papa Pals. These trained and vetted companions provide a helping hand and an open ear, resulting in less loneliness and better health. Papa is powered by its vision of a world where no one has to go it alone.

Night Capital

Night Capital is an independent company focused on building, acquiring and operating majority interests in consumer-facing companies and building partnerships with relevant creators to drive future business growth.

Who to know

Alexandra MooreFounding Managing Director

Night

Night is a next generation talent representation platform for some of the world’s most influential creators and artists.

Who to know

Reed DuchscherCEO and Founder

Ezra CoopersteinPresident

Website

www.night.co

Equip

Equip delivers virtual eating disorder treatment for lasting recovery at home. Created by experts in the field and people who’ve been there, Equip builds upon Family-Based Treatment with a five-person dedicated care team including a therapist, dietitian, physician, and peer & family mentor.

Who to know

Kristina SaffranChief Executive Officer and Co-Founder

Erin ParksPhD, Chief Clinical Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder

Website

equip.health

Sofar

Sofar Sounds is a global community that connects artists and audiences through live music. Sofar Sounds brings people together to create space where music matters in over 400 cities around the world.

Who to know

Rafe Offer Founder and Executive Chair

Jim Lucchese CEO

Funko

Funko is a leading pop culture lifestyle brand that connects consumers to their fandoms through collectibles, accessories, apparel, and games.

Who to know

Andrew Perlmutter CEO

Brian Mariotti CCO

Website

www.funko.com

The Premier Lacrosse League

The Premier Lacrosse League is a North American outdoor professional lacrosse league featuring 200 of the world’s leading players, co-founded by lacrosse superstar Paul Rabil and his brother, serial entrepreneur, and investor, Mike Rabil.

Who to know

Mike Rabil CEO and Founder

Paul Rabil President and Founder

Andrew Sinnenberg Chief Operations Officer

Stoggles

Stoggles is reimagining the future of protective eyewear.

Who to know

Max Greenberg Co-Founder and CEO

Rahul Khatri Co-Founder and CXO

Website

stoggles.com

Epic Gardening

Epic Gardening is the online destination for creator-led, content-to-commerce in gardening. Epic is on a mission to teach the world to grow and provide quality, sustainable gardening products that work.

Who to know

Kevin Espiritu Founder

Linus Walton COO

Lovevery

Lovevery is a stage-based early learning system for families. Its award-winning play essentials and resources for parents are designed by experts for your child's developing brain.

Who to know

Jessica Rolph Cofounder and CEO

Roderick Morris Cofounder and President

Website

lovevery.com

ŌURA

ŌURA is the company behind the Oura Ring — the smart ring that delivers personalized health data, insights, and daily guidance.

Who to know

Tom Hale CEO

Website

ouraring.com

The Pro's Closet

The Pro’s Closet is the world’s largest and most trusted brand for buying and selling pre-owned bikes, equipping cyclists with components and gear, and guiding inspiration for the ride ahead.

Who to know

Nick Martin Founder

Jonathan Czaja CEO

Collectors

Collectors provides hobbyists and alternative asset investors with exceptional products, tools and services that power the collectibles industry through authentication and management. Collectors’ brands include leading authentication and grading services PSA (trading cards and memorabilia), PCGS (coins and currency), and WATA (video games and pop culture), as well as online collectibles marketplace, Goldin.

Who to know

Nat Turner CEO

Jason Harinstein CFO

Mike West COO

Goldin Auctions

Goldin Auctions is the leading trading cards and collectibles marketplace, connecting you with what you care about most.

Who to know

Ross Hoffman CEO

Ken Goldin Founder

Website

goldin.co

Dapper Labs

Dapper Labs is the company behind NBA Top Shot, CryptoKitties and Flow using blockchain technology to bring new forms of digital engagement to fans around the world.

Who to know

Roham Gharegozlou Founder and CEO

Website

dapperlabs.com

Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll is the world's largest destination for anime and a top SVOD/OTT service.

Exited

Who to know

Kun Gao Founder

Website

Crunchyroll.com

Crunchyroll was a portfolio company held by subsidiaries of The Chernin Group.

Food52

Food52 is a next-generation cooking and home company that combines content, commerce, and community around the belief that the kitchen is the heart of the home and food is the center of a well-lived life. The Food52 family of brands includes lighting and lifestyle goods company Schoolhouse and heritage home brand DANSK.

Who to know

Amanda Hesser Founder and CEO

Website

Food52.com
Dansk.com
schoolhouse.com

Food52 is a portfolio company held by vehicles managed by TCG.

MeatEater

MeatEater is a leading outdoor lifestyle media and commerce company.

Who to know

Steven Rinella Founder

Jason Bergsman CEO

Website

TheMeatEater.com

MeatEater is a portfolio company held by vehicles managed by TCG.

Exploding Kittens

Exploding Kittens is a leading game and entertainment company with a mission to inspire people to connect, laugh and play fun games in the physical world.

Who to know

Elan Lee Founder and CEO

Matt Inman Founder and CCO

Carly McGinnis President

Website

ExplodingKittens.com

Exploding Kittens is a portfolio company held by vehicles managed by TCG.

Headspace Health

Headspace Health is a global mental healthcare company on a mission to create a world where everyone is kind to their mind.

Who to know

Russell Glass CEO

Website

https://www.headspacehealth.com

Headspace Health is a portfolio company held by both subsidiaries of The Chernin Group and vehicles managed by TCG.

Hodinkee

Hodinkee is the leading destination for all things watches and horology, combining best-in-class Editorial content with an e-commerce platform to shop from the world’s greatest watch brands.

Who to know

Benjamin Clymer Founder and Executive Chairman

Jeffery Fowler CEO

Website

Hodinkee.com

Hodinkee is a portfolio company held by vehicles managed by TCG.

Surfline

Surfline connects people with their passion for the ocean.

Who to know

Jeff Berg Executive Chairman

Kyle Laughlin CEO

Website

Surfline.com

Surfline is a portfolio company held by vehicles managed by TCG.

Barstool Sports

Barstool Sports is a leading sports, comedy, and pop culture digital media brand.

Exited

Who to know

David Portnoy Founder

Erika Nardini CEO

Website

BarstoolSports.com

Barstool Sports is a portfolio company held by subsidiaries of The Chernin Group.

Action Network

The Action Network is a sports media company that provides in-depth betting content, tools, and analytics for sports fans.

Who to know

Patrick Keane CEO

Website

ActionNetwork.com

Action Network is a portfolio company held by both subsidiaries of The Chernin Group and vehicles managed by TCG.

Everlywell

Everlywell is building a world where everyone can access insightful and life-changing lab tests.

Who to know

Julia Cheek CEO and Founder

Website

Everlywell.com

Everlywell is a portfolio company held by vehicles managed by TCG.

Ro

Ro is a direct-to-consumer telehealth company that aims to be a patient’s first call for all of their healthcare needs.

Who to know

Zachariah Reitano Co-founder and CEO

Website

Ro.co

Ro is a portfolio company held by vehicles managed by TCG.

Rooster Teeth

Rooster Teeth is a media and entertainment company and community covering the gaming industry with a comedic tone.

Exited

Who to know

Burnie Burns Founder

Matt Hullum Founder and Chief Content Officer

Website

RoosterTeeth.com

Rooster Teeth was a portfolio company held by subsidiaries of The Chernin Group.

Sketchy

Sketchy is an education subscription service that helps medical school students learn and master complex concepts with its unique content and method of memorization.

Who to know

Saud Siddiqui Founder and CEO

Andrew Berg Founder and Chief Content Officer

Website

Sketchy.com

Sketchy is a portfolio company held by vehicles managed by TCG.

Zola

Zola is the fastest growing online wedding registry and marketplace in the U.S.

Who to know

Shan-Lyn MaFounder and CEO

Nobu NakaguchiCo-founder and Chief Design Officer

Kevin RyanCo-founder

Rachel JarrettPresident and COO

Felix LungFounder and CTO

Website

Zola.com

Zola is a portfolio company held by vehicles managed by TCG.

The Athletic

The Athletic is a direct-to-consumer subscription service serving sports fans.

Exited

Who to know

Alex Mather Founder and CEO

Adam Hansmann Founder and COO

Website

TheAthletic.com

The Athletic is a portfolio company held by subsidiaries of The Chernin Group.

ShopShops

ShopShops is a cross-border ecommerce platform that sells products through live streaming events held at retail stores.

Who to know

Liyia Wu Founder and CEO

Website

shopshopslive.com

ShopShops is a portfolio company held by vehicles managed by TCG.

Cameo

Cameo is a marketplace where fans can book personalized video shoutouts from their favorite people.

Who to know

Steven Galanis Founder and CEO

Devon Townsend Founder and CTO

Martin Blencowe Founder

Website

Cameo.com

Cameo is a portfolio company held by vehicles managed by TCG.

Dave

Dave is an online banking platform and a personal financial management app.

Who to know

Jason Wilk Founder and CEO

John Wolanin Founder and CPO

Paras Chitakar Founder and CTO

Website

Dave.com

Dave is a portfolio company held by subsidiaries of The Chernin Group.

Scopely

Scopely is a leading interactive entertainment and mobile games company.

Exited

Who to know

Walter Driver Founder and Co-CEO

Javier Ferreira Co-CEO

Website

Scopely.com

Scopely is a portfolio company held by both subsidiaries of The Chernin Group and vehicles managed by TCG.

Hello Sunshine

Founded by Academy and Emmy Award-winning actress, producer, and entrepreneur Reese Witherspoon, Hello Sunshine is a media company dedicated to female authorship across all storytelling platforms, including film, television, books, social videos, and audio.

Exited

Who to know

Reese Witherspoon Founder

Sarah Harden CEO

Website

Hello-Sunshine.com

Hello Sunshine was a portfolio company held by subsidiaries of The Chernin Group.

Fullscreen

Fullscreen is a social content company that provides creative, strategy, and marketing services for talent and brands.

Exited

Who to know

George Strompolos Founder

Ezra Cooperstein Former President

Website

Fullscreen.com

Fullscreen was a portfolio company held by subsidiaries of The Chernin Group.

Dadi

Dadi is a direct-to-consumer health company that makes male fertility testing and sperm storage more affordable and accessible.

Who to know

Tom Smith Founder and CEO

Website

Dadikit.com

Dadi is a portfolio company held by vehicles managed by TCG.

Pandora

Pandora is a music discovery platform.

Exited

Who to know

Jon Kraft Founder

Tim Westergren Founder

Will Glaser Founder

Jim Meyer CEO

Website

Pandora.com

Pandora was a portfolio company held by subsidiaries of The Chernin Group.