A. H. Belo Announces Partnership with Media Startup Accelerator, Matter
DALLAS – A. H. Belo (NYSE: AHC) announced today that it has signed on as a partner with Matter, a San Francisco-based venture capital firm and incubator that supports promising media startups and entrepreneurs.
“Our participation with Matter gives us an opportunity to explore some of the most creative ways that technology is being used to enhance the way consumers engage with journalism,” said Jim Moroney, chairman, president and chief executive officer of A. H. Belo. “As a publishing company, we have to be continually looking for more ways to align what we publish and how we publish with the evolving ways consumers are getting their news and information. In addition, the culture of innovation that Corey Ford has built in Matter is one we will learn from and we will work to instill in our own company. Creating a culture that supports and drives ‘sustaining innovation’ is a critical component of our business strategy.”
A. H. Belo joins three other media companies The Associated Press, The McClatchy Company, and Community Newspaper Holdings Inc. as new organizational partners. They join three founding partners KQED Public Media for Northern California, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and Public Radio Exchange which collectively launched Matter in 2012.
The new partnership features a powerful mix of international, national and local media organizations with a vast reach across television, radio, digital and print. The network of media partners gives participating startups extensive mentorship by industry leaders, connections to potential customers and real-world opportunities to test their ideas.
Matter looks for startups that have potential to become meaningful media institutions of the future creating a more informed, connected and empowered society. For each selected company, Matter provides seed capital of $50,000 and an intensive, five-month program at its San Francisco headquarters for the budding entrepreneurs to refine their business plans, develop prototypes, work collaboratively with other entrepreneurs and learn from leaders in media and technology. The program culminates with presentations in San Francisco and New York in front of a select group of investors, media executives, mentors and others.
About A. H. Belo
A. H. Belo Corporation (NYSE: AHC) is a leading local news and information publishing company with commercial printing, distribution and direct mail capabilities, as well as businesses with expertise in emerging media and digital marketing. With a continued focus on extending our media platform, we are able to deliver news and information in innovative ways to new audiences with diverse interests and lifestyles. For additional information, visit ahbelo.com, email invest@ahbelo.com.