Fundraising Fox

Semafor

New York, US · Founded 2022 · Delaware corporation

Find your way into Semafor

217 people in our graph share verified history with the Semafor team — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.

Anthony Philippakisunlockedknows Ben Smith · together at Yale University (overlapped)
×3knows the team · via Yale University
knows the team · via Georgetown
knows the team · via Semafor
knows the team · via Atlantic Media Company
×3knows the team · via The Economist Group

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.

Media & Entertainment

Founders & leadership

Semafor was founded in 2022 by Justin Brainerd Smith and Ben Smith.

JBJustin Brainerd Smith
Justin Brainerd SmithinFounderBefore launching Semafor in 2022, he spent nearly a decade as chief executive of Bloomberg Media, and previously served as president of Atlantic Media Company and The Atlantic. His earlier career included leading The Week Publications and CFO.com, and a stint working on corporate strategy for the CEO of The Economist Group.
BSBen Smith
Ben Smithin𝕏Co-founder · Editor In ChiefHe came to Semafor in 2022 after two years as media columnist at The New York Times and eight years as editor-in-chief of BuzzFeed. He earlier covered politics as a reporter at Politico, the New York Daily News, the New York Observer and the New York Sun.
GWGarett Wiley
Garett WileyinChief Financial Officer

Reported raises · per SEC filings

Form D private placements

$107.2M disclosed across 3 rounds · 2022–2025

▶$63.6MraisedJan 2026 · 28 investors · Other Technology
Rule 506(b)
Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
  • 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
Full filing on SEC EDGAR ↗
▶$19MraisedMay 2023 · 7 investors · Other Technology
Rule 506(b)
Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
  • 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
Full filing on SEC EDGAR ↗
▶$24.6MraisedJun 2022 · 19 investors · Other Technology
Rule 506(b)
Microsoft in talks to invest $10B in ChatGPT owner -Semaforreuters.com · Jan 2023Microsoft in talks to invest $10B in ChatGPT owner -Semafornasdaq.com · Jan 2023
Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
  • 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
Full filing on SEC EDGAR ↗

Source: SEC EDGAR Form D. Amounts as filed; amended filings shown once at their latest values.

Founder mafia

3 people who came through Semafor went on to found or lead other companies.

Reid HoffmanMember, World Economy Advisory BoardFounded LinkedIn +2Ben LammFounding Member, Global Advisory Board for Silicon Valley & The WorldFounded Breaking +3Lara SetrakianOped ContributorFounded News Deeply

In the news

Semafor just raised $30M at a $330M valuation—after its ...x.com · Jan 2026Semafor Raises $30 Million at $330 Million Valuation After First Profitable Yearca.finance.yahoo.com · Jan 2026Semafor raises $30M at a $330M valuationaxios.com · Jan 2026Semafor hits $330 million valuation in latest fundraise to fuel global expansion | Reutersreuters.com · Jan 2026Microsoft in talks to invest $10B in ChatGPT owner -Semafornasdaq.com · Jan 2023Microsoft in talks to invest $10B in ChatGPT owner -Semaforreuters.com · Jan 2023

Frequently 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 Smith in 2022.
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.