Orange unit invests in media and SVOD outfit Brut

Orange Ventures, Orange’s venture capital investment subsidiary, is investing in youth-focused media company Brut.

Orange Ventures, which will be one of the main investors in a series C funding round of US$75 million, said that the new funding would help Brut to further its international ambitions.

Brut,  a youth-oriented French media outfit created five years ago by Studio Bagel founder Guillaume Lacroix and former Canal+ producer Renaud Le Van Kim, recently launched a new SVOD service, BrutX, in France. The service has since been launched internationally in Belgium, Switzerland and Luxembourg, with more international launches planned this year and next.

Other investors in the funding round included Lupa Systems, Artemis and Tikehau Capital as well as the media outfit’s historic investors.

These funds will enable Brut to accelerate and extend its activities to new markets such as the US, India and Africa and to continue to diversify its content, said the ventures unit.

The investment is in line with Orange Ventures’ strategy of promoting global technological champions and innovation in Africa and the Middle East. The investment outfit praised Brut for its innovative use of data, editorial know-how and global ecosystem creation projects including Brut.Media and Brut.X.

Orange said it would be able to generate new synergies with Brut on the African continent where the group has 124 million customers.

Jérôme Berger, chairman and managing partner of Orange Ventures said: “By investing in Brut. as lead investor in the series C round, Orange Ventures is confirming its ambition and establishing itself as one of the main venture capital players in Europe. Brut. is a major media outlet and leader for the new generation with international resonance. We are proud to add this Next40 labeled start-up to our portfolio and to contribute to its international development.”

Guillaume Lacroix, Brut CEO said: “I’m delighted to welcome Orange Ventures alongside Brut.’s new partners. All the investors recognise themselves in our values and are committed to supporting us in our mission to create a positive impact on new generations. Their expertise and experience will provide added value to Brut.’s global deployment and the leading services platform that we are building for creators, communities and brands.”