Fundraising FoxDisruptel
AcquiredSt. Louis, US · Founded 2018 · Delaware corporation · 11 known investors
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Samba.tv is a TV recommendation service that aggregates content from streaming services and live TV, personalized based on viewing trends. The service prioritizes user privacy with transparent data collection and consent controls.
Also known as Disruptel, Inc.
Founders & leadership
Disruptel was founded in 2018 by Alex Quinn.
Investors · 11
How we know: the VCSheet dataset · Not right? Tell us
How we know: Lauder Partners's portfolio page · Not right? Tell us
How we know: funding news · nexttv.com · the VCSheet dataset · open dataset · 5k.vc investor directory · Not right? Tell us
How we know: funding news · nexttv.com · open dataset · 5k.vc investor directory · Not right? Tell us
How we know: the VCSheet dataset · Not right? Tell us
How we know: the VCSheet dataset · Not right? Tell us
Also in the syndicate · 1
Reported raises · per SEC filings
Form D private placements$1.8M disclosed across 1 of 2 rounds · 2021
▶$1.8MraisedFeb 2021 · 12 investors · ComputersRule 506(b)
- Michael BakerDirector
- John LowreyDirector
- Alex QuinnExecutive Officer, Director
- Offering amount
- $2.1M
- Amount sold
- $1.8M
- Minimum investment
- $10K
- First sale
- Jan 2021
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware, 2018
- Federal exemptions
- 06b
Source: SEC EDGAR Form D. Amounts as filed; amended filings shown once at their latest values.
Company profile
researched Aug 2026Disruptel was a Missouri-based artificial intelligence and machine learning company that developed smart products built on computer vision, natural language processing and voice technologies. Its core product was a real-time voice assistant for smart TVs and TV remotes able to identify actors, products and other on-screen elements using machine learning, positioned as a voice assistant that could "see" what was on screen. Distribution included a Chrome Smart Screen extension and partnerships with TV makers.
The company targeted the connected TV and OTT market, marketing its voice assistant and AI solutions as tools for OTT providers to build audience and average revenue per user. In November 2022, Samba TV acquired Disruptel to extend its connected TV measurement capabilities, adding real-time identification and analysis of on-screen content such as brand logos, products, people, product placement and integrated ads, plus interactive viewer features such as a "smart pause" that surfaces supplemental information about actors and products. Samba TV said integration was underway with plans to unveil Samba AI-driven experiences for TV manufacturers at CES in January 2023.
Founding story
Disruptel was founded in 2017. According to podcast coverage, Alex Quinn founded the company while still in high school and later served as its CEO.
Business model
Business-to-business technology licensing and partnerships, supplying voice assistant and AI capabilities to OTT providers and television manufacturers.
Positioned its voice assistant and AI solutions as a way for OTT providers to grow audience and average revenue per user (ARPU).
Traction
Reported 11-50 employees, roughly $1.1-1.5 million raised in a single seed round, and a large partner deal reported in early 2022 before its acquisition by Samba TV.
Latest developments
Samba TV announced its acquisition of Disruptel on 4 November 2022 with undisclosed terms, stating that integration was underway and that Samba AI-driven experiences for TV manufacturers would be unveiled at CES in January 2023.
▸Full profile — market position, technology, go-to-market, geography, history
Market position
A small AI vendor in the connected TV experience and measurement space, whose capabilities were absorbed into Samba TV's Samba AI product line.
Described as the first voice assistant with "eyes" — pairing voice interaction with real-time visual understanding of on-screen content rather than voice commands alone.
Technology
Machine learning and computer vision combined with natural language processing and speech recognition, enabling real-time recognition of actors, products, brand logos and other on-screen elements in television and streaming content, delivered through a voice assistant for smart TVs and remotes and a Chrome Smart Screen extension.
Go-to-market
Partnerships with television manufacturers and OTT providers, plus a Chrome Smart Screen extension.
OTT and connected TV providers, smart TV manufacturers, publishers, and — via Samba TV — media companies and advertisers.
Geography
Headquartered in Saint Louis, Missouri, United States.
History
Founded in 2017 in Saint Louis, Missouri, Disruptel announced a seed funding round in March 2021 backed by PJC, Progress Ventures and angel investors including Mike Baker, co-founder and CEO of DataXu. By early 2022 the company had signed a significant partner deal and CEO Alex Quinn discussed its "first voice assistant with eyes" in public interviews. Samba TV acquired the company in November 2022.
Compiled by commissioned research from 3 cited public sources — announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.
Key figures
latest reportedCompany-reported or press-reported figures, each dated to when it was claimed — not independently audited.
Timeline · 3
launches, deals, and filingsSamba TV announced the acquisition of Disruptel to advance its connected TV measurement, adding real-time identification of on-screen brands, logos, products and people, and interactive features such as smart pause. No financial terms were disclosed.
Podcast coverage of CEO Alex Quinn reported that the Disruptel team had recently landed a large deal.
Disruptel announced a seed round backed by PJC, Progress Ventures and industry veterans including Mike Baker, co-founder and CEO of DataXu, to further develop its voice assistant and AI solutions for TV and CTV. Press coverage reported the amount variously as $1.1 million, $1.15 million (in a corrected release) and $1.5 million.
$1.1M source ↗
Dated company events from announcements, filings, and press; legal rows summarize public dockets and regulator releases.
In the news
▸Research sources · 3
primary sources listed
- Disruptel – Funding, Valuation, Investors, Newsparsers.vc · web
3 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does Disruptel do?
- St. Louis AI company behind a voice assistant for smart TVs that identified on-screen actors and products; acquired by Samba TV in 2022.
- Who founded Disruptel?
- Disruptel was founded by Alex Quinn in 2018.
- Who are Disruptel's investors?
- Disruptel's investors include August Capital, Capital Innovators, GFR Fund, Lauder Partners, Nelstone Ventures, PJC, Progress Ventures, Union Grove Venture Partners and 2 more.
- How much funding has Disruptel raised?
- Disruptel has disclosed $1.8M raised across 1 of its 2 known rounds.
- Where is Disruptel headquartered?
- Disruptel is headquartered in St. Louis, US.