Goldman Sachs-Backed Minute Media Acquires VideoVerse

VideoVerse’s Rise in Sports AI

Founded in 2016 by Vinayak Shrivastav, VideoVerse developed its flagship platform Magnifi, which uses artificial intelligence to automatically detect key moments in live sports footage and generate instant highlights. The company has secured high-profile clients including the Indian Premier League, Women’s Premier League cricket, FIFA+, Nippon TV, and Cubber TV. Backed by investors such as Bluestone Equity Partners, A91 Partners, and Moneta Ventures, VideoVerse raised around 105 million dollars before the acquisition.

Shrivastav said the deal was a “natural progression” for the startup, adding that joining forces with a global player like Minute Media would “accelerate innovation and deliver richer storytelling experiences for fans worldwide.”

Minute Media’s Strategy and Leadership Vision

Minute Media CEO Asaf Peled called the acquisition a turning point for the company’s expansion into AI-driven sports technology. “We are combining our storytelling and distribution strengths with VideoVerse’s real-time video capabilities. This is about shaping the future of how sports content is created, shared, and monetized,” he said.

Backed by BlackRock, Goldman Sachs, Dawn Capital, and Battery Ventures, Minute Media has steadily grown from a digital publisher into a multi-brand, tech-enabled media house. The VideoVerse deal marks its most ambitious step yet, not only strengthening its core in sports but also broadening its technological moat.

Global Implications for SportTech

Industry experts see the deal as a signal that sports media is entering a new phase where AI-driven automation will be central to fan engagement. By combining VideoVerse’s highlight extraction tools with Minute Media’s established platforms such as 90min and Sports Illustrated, the company is poised to offer leagues, broadcasters, and marketers a one-stop solution for content production and monetization.

For India, the acquisition also highlights the growing global relevance of its AI ecosystem. VideoVerse’s engineering team in Mumbai will continue to operate as part of Minute Media, ensuring that India remains a hub for innovation within the global sports tech sector.