Semafor
New York, US · Founded 2022 · Delaware corporation · 4 known investors
Semafor is a global news platform designed to deliver journalism with transparency by separating facts, analysis, opinion, and counter-narratives, serving a global audience of informed citizens. The company pairs original reporting with diverse perspectives to provide comprehensive coverage of complex global issues including climate change, pandemics, political instability, and inequality.
Founders & leadership
Semafor was founded in 2022 by Justin Brainerd Smith and Ben.
Investors · 4
Reported raises · per SEC filings
Form D private placements$107.2M disclosed across 3 rounds · 2022–2025
▶$63.6MraisedJan 2026 · 28 investors · Other TechnologyRule 506(b)
- Garett WileyExecutive Officer
- Justin Brainerd SmithExecutive Officer, Director
- Offering amount
- $63.6M
- Amount sold
- $63.6M
- First sale
- Dec 2025
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware, 2022
- Federal exemptions
- 06b
▶$19MraisedMay 2023 · 7 investors · Other TechnologyRule 506(b)
- Garett WileyExecutive Officer
- Justin Brainerd SmithExecutive Officer, Director
- Offering amount
- $19M
- Amount sold
- $19M
- First sale
- Feb 2023
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware, 2022
- Federal exemptions
- 06b
▶$24.6MraisedJun 2022 · 19 investors · Other TechnologyRule 506(b)
- Garett WileyExecutive Officer
- Justin Brainerd SmithExecutive Officer, Director
- Offering amount
- $24.6M
- Amount sold
- $24.6M
- First sale
- Mar 2022
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware, 2022
- Federal exemptions
- 06b
Source: SEC EDGAR Form D. Amounts as filed; amended filings shown once at their latest values.
Founder mafia
2 people who came through Semafor went on to found or lead other companies.
Competitors · 3
by search overlap
Companies competing with Semafor for the same Google search keywords, organic and paid, via search-intersection analysis.
In the news
Pirro’s special grand jury raises eyebrows among Trump allies | Semaforsemafor.com · Aug 2026
Africa’s funding reset leaves early-stage tech founders behindsemafor.com · Aug 2026
African startup funding dips 6% year on year | Semaforsemafor.com · Jul 2026Frequently asked questions
- What does Semafor do?
- Semafor is a global news platform designed to deliver journalism with transparency by separating facts, analysis, opinion, and counter-narratives, serving a global audience of informed citizens. The company pairs original reporting with diverse perspectives to provide comprehensive coverage of complex global issues including climate change, pandemics, political instability, and inequality.
- Who founded Semafor?
- Semafor was founded by Justin Brainerd Smith, Ben in 2022.
- Who are Semafor's investors?
- Semafor's investors include DCVC (Data Collective), Wireframe Ventures, 4Di Capital, Norrsken22.
- How much funding has Semafor raised?
- Semafor has disclosed $107.2M raised across 3 rounds.
- Where is Semafor headquartered?
- Semafor is headquartered in New York, US.