Brut raises $ 75 million from Murdoch, Pinault and Orange

The round table of the French social media Brut, becomes one of the most chic on the media planet.

After seducing Xavier Niel, Alexandre Mars and Bpifrance in a funding round of $ 40 million in 2019, Brut is now welcoming James Murdoch (via his Lupa Systems fund), François-Henri Pinault (via the holding Artémis), the Tikehau fund and Orange Ventures which is one of the most important participants in this funding round.

All of these investors, old and new, are bringing $ 75 million in new money to Brut based on a valuation approaching $ 300 million. The three founders, Guillaume Lacroix, Renaud Le Van Kim and Laurent Lucas, however retain control of the company.

“We had been talking to James Murdoch for two years. He will give us his ability to set up strategic deals around the world. He is, like François Henri Pinault, very aligned with the values ​​of Brut. For its part, Orange Ventures will help us develop in French-speaking Africa, ”

explains Guillaume Lacroix, president of Brut. Jérôme Berger, head of Orange Ventures confirms

“Orange's presence in 18 African countries and the link with 130 million customers will be a considerable asset for the development of both the media part and the SVOD platform of Gross".

Guillaume Lacroix also points out that French social media is the first to receive the international Bcorp label, awarded by B Lab Europe, which labels companies that meet rigorous social and environmental standards. This label is increasingly required by investment funds.

Since the creation of Brut on Facebook in November 2016, social media has conquered a global audience.

Each month, over 300 million Internet users share Brut's videos with subtitles in local languages.

In 2020, the milestone of 20 billion raw videos viewed was crossed.

Brut is very popular in France, the United States and India, with young people under 35, thanks to an editorial line based on values ​​widely shared by this community: the environment, women's rights, gender or even the responsibility of the authorities.

Live streaming shopping

Alongside this social media, Brut launched in April, its subscription video streaming service BrutX, in France then in Switzerland, Belgium, Luxembourg and recently in French-speaking Africa. Guillaume Lacroix, CEO of Brut, hopes to reach one million subscribers in 2023, before extending this service to the rest of the world.

Today, the group is therefore based on two feet: the audience with Brut and the subscription with Brut X. The contribution of new money will make it possible to accelerate investments on these first two rocket stages but also on add a third. Thus, Brut is launching in the United States, India and France, a service and conversation platform to enable young creators from all over the world to promote content, services or even brands in accordance with Brut's values. "

We have developed an influence in the world and now we want to use that influence to help young designers.

Thanks to the data collected from our loyal communities, we can help them build audiences on social networks, monetize them and even sell products through live streaming shopping, ”

explains Guillaume Lacroix.

The arrival of renowned international investors validates Brut's economic model.

The whole could reach a turnover of between 20 and 30 million euros this year and see a growth of more than 200% next year.

Already profitable in France and India, social media is stepping up its investments to consolidate its position.

Supported from its creation by Facebook and its creator Mark Zuckerberg, Brut was also celebrated by Tim Cook, the boss of Apple, during the last edition of Vivatech in Paris.