North Base Media

North Base Media (NBM) is an operator-led investment firm established in 2014 by a trio of highly experienced media veterans: Marcus Brauchli, former Executive Editor of The Washington Post; Sasa Vucinic, founder of the Media Development Investment Fund; and Jim Roberts, former Executive Editor at Reuters. Headquartered in Singapore, NBM's core focus is on identifying and investing in digital media, technology, and information businesses, with a particular emphasis on opportunities within emerging and frontier markets. The firm leverages its founders' extensive industry knowledge and global networks to provide not only capital but also strategic guidance and operational support to its portfolio companies.

NBM's investment thesis is rooted in the belief that significant value can be created by supporting innovative companies that are reshaping how news and information are produced and consumed in rapidly digitizing economies. The firm successfully closed its inaugural fund, North Base Media I, at $10 million, which serves as the primary vehicle for its investments. This capital is strategically deployed into early-stage ventures, typically at the seed or Series A stage, where NBM can have a meaningful impact on growth and market penetration.

For its initial investments, North Base Media typically writes cheques ranging from $250,000 to $1 million, aligning with its strategy of backing promising startups in their formative years. As of late 2023, the firm has demonstrated a consistent investment pace, having made over 25 investments across a diverse set of geographies and sub-sectors within digital media. Notable companies in its portfolio include Semafor, Rest of World, and Coda Story, all reflecting NBM's commitment to fostering new models for content creation and distribution. The operator-led approach ensures that portfolio companies benefit from hands-on mentorship, helping them navigate the complexities of scaling in dynamic global markets.