Video has become the preferred way for people to consume content, but online reviews still rely on static photos, outdated text and star rating offerings that have not changed since the days of print media.
San Francisco-headquartered Atmosfy, a leading video platform for reviewing live dining and nightlife experiences, brings in-the-moment reviews to life with authentic videos from hyper-local creators who share their experiences in local restaurants, hotels, bars, nightclubs, and festivals. Its mobile, video-first approach puts local businesses on the map and in the feed, making it easy for people to discover new places, plan trips, and find out what’s happening in real-time.
Expansion plans
Now, Atmosfy has picked up $12 million in seed funding in a round led by Redpoint Ventures (that backed MotherDuck and Mistral AI) with participation from Palm Tree Crew Investments (Kygo), Streamlined Ventures, Industry Ventures, Canaan Partners, Village Global, Progression Fund and Convivialite Ventures.
The fresh funds will enable the team to expand the platform, integrate deep personalisation, develop best-in-class partnerships, and further support local businesses.
“As a former bartender, I witnessed the challenges faced by local businesses in promoting their brand and generating positive online reviews,” stated Michael Ebel, Founder and CEO of Atmosfy, “During COVID, that difficulty for businesses was exponentially amplified, and it was clear there was a new solution needed to help support them. Atmosfy gave consumers a way to highlight their experiences through video, inspire others to come visit, and support the businesses that were still open. The mission has resonated globally and has taken off, helping people rediscover their cities, or new ones, in real-time.”
“At Redpoint, we’re big believers in consumers’ ongoing obsession with user-generated content. Consumers again and again have proven that they want to hear from cultural curators that speak like them, live like them – and, in Atmosfy’s case, enjoy experiences like them,” noted Meera Clark, Principal at Redpoint. “At the same time, we know that preferences, particularly among Gen Z, are shifting as they seek more authentic, immersive, and engaging outlets for discovery, entertainment, and self-expression. In our minds, if there is one company that epitomses these themes, it’s Atmosfy. From its industry-leading engagement to its remarkably robust library of UGC, we’re honored and grateful to be partnering with Michael and the Atmosfy team for this next phase of growth.”
Enables local discovery of specific content
Atmosfy was founded in 2021 by Michael Ebel, a seventeen-year Air Force Captain, who was previously worked with Meta. It has opened a new channel for local discovery, uniting the power of mobile, video, and location-specific content.
The app enables you to discover dining, nightlife, hotels, and other attractions through brief videos shared by both locals and visitors. Atmosfy’s purpose is to provide users with an authentic impression of a location’s ambiance and the current experience of being present there.
Already, Atmosfy is celebrating its one-millionth local business across over 10,000 cities in more than 150 countries. Currently, the Atmosfy team includes former employees from Instagram, TripAdvisor, TikTok, OpenTable and Netflix.
