Another day in LA, another funding round for a celeb-backed startup. It’s no secret that the City of Angels is teeming with stars, but who knew so many of them would be interested in the tech world? Musicians like Doja Cat and John Legend have an eye on NFTs for example, while other artists, like Kid Cudi, are launching their own startups altogether.
The latest celeb-backed startup to make headlines in Tinseltown? HearHere. The Santa Barbara-based company, co-founded by actor Kevin Costner, announced the close of its seed round Monday. The $3.2 million raise will help the company continue to scale following its national launch.
“When road-tripping, I found myself wanting to know more about my surroundings than was available on signs and at road stops,” Woody Sears, co-founder and CEO of HearHere, said in a statement. “and so the idea for HearHere was born.”
HearHere’s app provides users with historical context on nearby locales while driving across the country. The AI-powered app is also equipped with geographic tracking technology to provide users accurate information. So, next time you’re driving past a peculiar looking mountain range or need an introduction to a new city, you don’t have to bother your partner in the passenger seat with questions. Instead, you can flip on HearHere and get a full information download at a moment’s notice.
But when it comes to U.S. history, HearHere doesn’t doesn’t shy away from the heavy stuff.
“We cover America’s past, which as you know, in addition to the rich stories, unfortunately also involves a deep history of tragic events like the displacement of Indigenous people and the treatment and history of African American people,” Costner said in a statement. “We tell these stories because they are crucial to understanding the full history of a location and our nation.”
Over 8,300 stories are accessible on the app. The stories span an array of subjects outside of history, including national parks, sports, music and more.
The company’s seed round included a strategic investment from AAA as well as participation from Pasadena Angels, SeraphGroup and others.
