YouTube channels owned or backed by outside capital

Cocomelon

youtube.com/@CoComelon ↗

Owned by Moonbug Entertainment, which was acquired in November 2021 for ~$3B by Candle Media, a Blackstone-backed venture led by ex-Disney execs Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs. Moonbug had itself bought the Cocomelon IP in July 2020 for $120M.

Blippi

youtube.com/@Blippi ↗

Part of the Moonbug Entertainment portfolio acquired in the November 2021 Candle Media / Blackstone $3B deal. Blippi IP was bought by Moonbug in 2020 from creator Stevin John.

Little Baby Bum

youtube.com/@LittleBabyBum ↗

Founding property of Moonbug Entertainment. Rolled into the Candle Media / Blackstone portfolio in November 2021.

Morphle TV

youtube.com/@Morphle ↗

My Magic Pet Morphle, a shape-shifting-pet cartoon (~13M subscribers). Acquired by Moonbug in February 2019, one of its first deals, and now part of Candle Media via the 2021 Moonbug acquisition.

Gecko's Garage

youtube.com/@GeckosGarage ↗

Truck and vehicle cartoon (~3.5M subscribers) from Toddler Fun Learning, acquired by Moonbug alongside Morphle in February 2019.

Supa Strikas

youtube.com/@TheSupaStrikas ↗

Football-themed animated series (~3M subscribers). Acquired by Moonbug in August 2019.

ARPO The Robot

youtube.com/@ARPOTheRobot ↗

Korean-origin robot-nanny animated series (~8M subscribers). Acquired by Moonbug in February 2020.

T-Rex Ranch

youtube.com/@TRexRanch ↗

Live-action dinosaur adventure show (~3M subscribers) created by Aaron and LB, acquired by Moonbug in 2020.

Little Angel

youtube.com/@littleangel ↗

3D nursery-rhyme network (~88M subscribers across language channels) bought from Valnet in February 2022 — Moonbug's first major acquisition under Candle Media ownership.

Little World

youtube.com/@LittleWorld ↗

Little Angel's sister kids-songs channel (~5.5M subscribers), acquired with Little Angel in February 2022.

Oddbods

youtube.com/@Oddbods ↗

Non-dialogue slapstick animation (~12M subscribers) from Singapore's One Animation, which Moonbug acquired in May 2022.

Veritasium

youtube.com/@veritasium ↗

In May 2023 Electrify Video Partners (a London creator-economy investment firm backed by CapitalD) completed a majority investment in Derek Muller’s Veritasium business.

Fireship

youtube.com/@Fireship ↗

Electrify Video Partners partnered with Fireship founder Jeff Delaney in 2024 to develop new content and expand the Fireship brand across platforms.

Simple History

youtube.com/@SimpleHistory ↗

One of the channels Electrify Video Partners invested in between 2023 and 2024 as part of its informative/educational creator portfolio.

Mentour Pilot

youtube.com/@MentourPilot ↗

Aviation channel by Petter Hörnfeldt. Part of the Electrify Video Partners creator portfolio.

Mentour Now!

youtube.com/@MentourNow ↗

Sister channel to Mentour Pilot. Part of the Electrify Video Partners portfolio.

Astrum

youtube.com/@AstrumSpace ↗

Space & astronomy channel. Listed in the Electrify Video Partners creator portfolio.

fern

youtube.com/@fern-tv ↗

Mini-documentary channel. Part of the Electrify Video Partners creator portfolio.

Simplicissimus

youtube.com/@Simplicissimus ↗

German explainer channel. Acquired by Electrify Video Partners — the deal drew debate in German media about PE ownership of creator brands.

Improvement Pill

youtube.com/@ImprovementPill ↗

Self-improvement animation channel. Listed in the Electrify Video Partners creator portfolio.

The Rundown AI

youtube.com/@TheRundownAI ↗

AI news brand founded in 2023 by Rowan Cheung, with 2M+ newsletter subscribers and ~1.5M social followers. In June 2026 Electrify announced a strategic minority stake — its first non-YouTube-native investment — with Cheung staying on as CEO with full editorial control.

SpitBrix

youtube.com/@SpitBrix ↗

LEGO-set deconstruction and history channel (~1M subscribers). One of Electrify's earliest investments (2022) and a listed portfolio brand.

The Fizzy Show

youtube.com/@TheFizzyShow ↗

Puppet-led kids entertainment channel (~5.5M subscribers). Electrify took a stake in the two Fizzy puppet channels, which Kidscreen reported at ~10M combined subscribers.

Fizzy Fun House

youtube.com/@FizzyFunHouse ↗

Sister puppet and story channel to The Fizzy Show (~3.6M subscribers), part of the same Electrify investment.

The Game Theorists

youtube.com/@GameTheory ↗

In December 2022 Matthew "MatPat" Patrick and Stephanie Patrick sold the majority of Theorist Media — including The Game Theorists, The Film Theorists, The Food Theorists and GTLive — to Berlin-based investor Lunar X.

The Film Theorists

youtube.com/@FilmTheory ↗

Part of Theorist Media, acquired by Lunar X in December 2022.

The Food Theorists

youtube.com/@FoodTheory ↗

Part of Theorist Media, acquired by Lunar X in December 2022.

The Style Theorists

youtube.com/@StyleTheory ↗

Fourth Theorist channel, operating under Lunar X-owned Theorist Media.

GTLive

youtube.com/@GTLive ↗

Live-stream arm of Theorist Media, included in the Lunar X acquisition.

Economics Explained

youtube.com/@EconomicsExplained ↗

Economics commentary channel acquired by Lunar X as part of its roll-up of informative YouTube brands.

Groovy The Martian

youtube.com/@GroovyTheMartian ↗

Animated preschool series about a shape-shifting Martian (~3M subscribers), produced by Madrid's Sunnyside Up Studios, which Lunar X acquired outright in early 2023.

The Moonies

youtube.com/@TheMooniesOfficial ↗

Sunnyside Up Studios' animated toddler music and learning show (~1.7M subscribers). Part of Lunar X's 2023 Sunnyside Up acquisition.

Superzoo

youtube.com/@SuperzooLetsSaveThePlanet ↗

Animated animal-heroes series from Sunnyside Up Studios (~1.1M subscribers on the main channel). Part of Lunar X's 2023 Sunnyside Up acquisition.

GiggleBellies

youtube.com/@TheGiggleBellies ↗

Toddler learning and music channel (~1.3M subscribers). Listed by Lunar X as a 2022 animation partner under its Lunar Kids division; stake terms undisclosed.

Donut Media

youtube.com/@donut ↗

Largest automotive brand on YouTube at the time of the deal. Acquired by digital-media roll-up Recurrent Ventures in November 2021, joining The Drive and Car Bibles.

The Drive

youtube.com/@TheDriveYT ↗

Automotive media property owned by Recurrent Ventures, now part of the same portfolio as Donut Media and Car Bibles.

Task & Purpose

youtube.com/@Taskandpurpose ↗

Military-focused channel; part of the Recurrent Ventures digital-media portfolio.

Dude Perfect

youtube.com/@DudePerfect ↗

In April 2024 Dude Perfect took a nine-figure growth investment from private-equity firm Highmount Capital — reported at between $100M and $300M, one of the largest creator-led infusions on record.

Real Stories

youtube.com/@RealStories ↗

Long-form documentaries channel operated by Little Dot Studios, a UK-based digital studio owned by All3Media.

Real Crime

youtube.com/@RealCrime ↗

True-crime documentary channel in the Little Dot Studios / All3Media network.

History Hit

youtube.com/@HistoryHit ↗

History channel founded by Dan Snow, distributed through Little Dot Studios (All3Media).

REACT

youtube.com/@React ↗

The REACT channels (originally by the Fine Brothers) are operated by UK-based creator-investment firm Electric Monster.

KLT

youtube.com/@KLT ↗

Educational kids channel formerly known as Kids Learning Tube, rebranded KLT. Operated under the Electric Monster portfolio (now part of the ZATV roll-up following Brat TV's January 2025 acquisition of Electric Monster).

FUNTASTIC Playhouse

youtube.com/@FUNTASTICPlayhouse ↗

Kids entertainment channel in the Electric Monster / ZATV portfolio.

Amazing Dinosaurs

youtube.com/@AmazingDinosaurs ↗

Kids/edutainment channel operated under Electric Monster (ZATV).

Teens REACT

youtube.com/@TeensReactOfficial ↗

React Media's teen-panel spin-off channel (~1.1M subscribers), acquired with the rest of the Fine Brothers' network in Electric Monster's 2021 React Media deal.

Funtastic TV

youtube.com/@FuntasticTV ↗

Educational music and nursery-rhyme channel (~3M subscribers), sibling of FUNTASTIC Playhouse. Acquired in Electric Monster's December 2021 seven-channel kids purchase.

We Love Face Paint!

youtube.com/@WeLoveFacePaint ↗

Face-painting and toy-play kids channel (~1.4M subscribers). Acquired in Electric Monster's December 2021 seven-channel kids purchase (9.6M subscribers combined).

JackJackPlays

youtube.com/@JackJackPlays ↗

Toy-play and pretend-play kids channel (~2.2M subscribers). Acquired in Electric Monster's December 2021 seven-channel kids purchase.

MrBeast

youtube.com/@MrBeast ↗

Jimmy Donaldson still controls his holding company Beast Industries (parent of the flagship MrBeast channel and Feastables) with a majority ownership stake. In 2024 the business raised a ~$300M Series C led by VC firm Alpha Wave Global; a follow-on round in late 2025 targeted a ~$5B valuation.

Colin & Samir

youtube.com/@ColinandSamir ↗

Took funding from Spotter, whose model is catalog licensing — a lump-sum payment in exchange for long-term ad-revenue rights on the creator’s existing videos. The channel itself remains creator-owned; Spotter earns from the back-catalog revenue stream, not equity.

Like Nastya

youtube.com/@LikeNastyaofficial ↗

One of the largest Spotter catalog clients. Anastasia Radzinskaya’s English-language channel has 100M+ subscribers; Spotter licensed her video back-catalog for an upfront payment while the channel stays under Radzinskaya family ownership. Named alongside MrBeast and Dude Perfect as a flagship Spotter client.

The Try Guys

youtube.com/@TryGuys ↗

After leaving BuzzFeed in 2018 as the independent 2nd Try LLC, the Try Guys licensed their YouTube back-catalog to Spotter. 2nd Try continues to own and operate the channel and Second Try streaming service; Spotter holds rights to older ad-monetization revenue.

Deestroying

youtube.com/@Deestroying ↗

Former NFL/UFL kicker Donald De La Haye Jr. Named among Spotter’s core catalog clients alongside MrBeast, Dude Perfect, Like Nastya and The Try Guys. Channel remains creator-owned; Spotter licenses ad-revenue rights on existing content.

Rebecca Zamolo

youtube.com/@rebeccazamolo ↗

Family-entertainment and mystery/escape-room channel, and co-creator of the Game Master Network. Named by Spotter as a partner creator; Spotter has licensed rights to her back-catalog ad revenue while the channel stays creator-owned.

The Royalty Family

youtube.com/@royaltyfam ↗

Family-vlog channel by Andrea Espada and Ali H. Confirmed Spotter partner creator — featured at Spotter's 2025 Upfront alongside MrBeast, Dude Perfect and The Try Guys.

MrBeast

youtube.com/@MrBeast ↗

Separate from the Alpha Wave Global VC round into Beast Industries: MrBeast is one of Spotter's earliest and most public catalog clients. Spotter licenses ad-revenue rights on his existing uploads in exchange for an upfront lump sum; the channel itself stays under Jimmy Donaldson's ownership.

Dude Perfect

youtube.com/@DudePerfect ↗

Separate from the 2024 Highmount Capital PE growth round: Dude Perfect previously took a Spotter catalog-licensing deal, handing Spotter ad-revenue rights to their existing uploads for upfront cash. Still co-owned by the original five creators; Highmount is the growth investor, Spotter holds catalog rights.

Kinigra Deon

youtube.com/@KinigraDeon ↗

Scripted skit and drama creator with ~14M cross-platform followers. Spotter partner creator featured at its 2025 Upfront; in 2025 Spotter co-produced the feature film 'Sundown' (with Kevin Hart's Hartbeat) and the Tubi original series 'Speed' with her.

EYstreem (Spawnpoint Media)

youtube.com/@eystreem ↗

Australian Minecraft creator Jordan Barclay's channel (13M+ subscribers), the flagship of his Spawnpoint Media network alongside Firelight and Milo and Chip. Signed a reported $5M catalog deal with Spotter in June 2024 to fund the studio's expansion.

Unspeakable

youtube.com/@Unspeakable ↗

Nathan Graham's Minecraft and challenge channel. Spotter's September 2022 release lists him among creators with multiple catalog deals alongside MrBeast, Dude Perfect and Like Nastya; Forbes attributed much of his $28.5M 2021 earnings to selling his back catalog to Spotter.

Airrack

youtube.com/@airrack ↗

Eric Decker's stunt and challenge channel. Named in Spotter's September 2022 release as a new catalog-licensing signing; presented at the Spotter Showcase in 2025 and 2026.

Jordan Matter

youtube.com/@jordanmatter ↗

Photographer-turned-family-challenge creator (with daughter Salish Matter). Named in Spotter's September 2022 release as a new catalog-licensing signing; on Spotter's partner roster and a Showcase presenter in 2025 and 2026.

Preston (PrestonPlayz)

youtube.com/@PrestonPlayz ↗

Preston Arsement's Minecraft and gaming channel (TBNR Productions). Named in Spotter's September 2022 release as a new catalog-licensing signing.

Guava Juice

youtube.com/@GuavaJuice ↗

Roi Fabito's kid-friendly challenge channel. Tubefilter reported in January 2022 that Spotter already had catalog deals in place with Guava Juice, MrBeast, Dude Perfect, Like Nastya, Vlad & Niki and Piper Rockelle.

Vlad and Niki

youtube.com/@VladandNiki ↗

One of the world's largest kids channels, run by the Vashketov family. Listed by Tubefilter in January 2022 among creators with Spotter catalog deals in place.

Piper Rockelle

youtube.com/@PiperRockelle ↗

Teen vlog and challenge channel. Listed by Tubefilter in January 2022 among creators with Spotter catalog deals in place.

Aphmau

youtube.com/@Aphmau ↗

Jess Bravura's Minecraft roleplay channel. TechCrunch reported in February 2022 that Spotter had struck catalog deals with Aphmau alongside MrBeast, Dude Perfect and Like Nastya.

Lizzy Capri

youtube.com/@LizzyCapri ↗

Challenge and prank creator. Named in Spotter's September 2022 press release among creators with catalog-licensing deals.

Smokin' & Grillin' wit AB

youtube.com/@SmokinandGrillinwithAB ↗

Aaron 'AB' Brown's home-cooking channel. Named in Spotter's September 2022 press release and TechCrunch's February 2022 coverage among creators with catalog-licensing deals.

Good Good Golf

youtube.com/@GoodGood ↗

Prosper, TX-based golf-entertainment brand founded in 2020. In March 2025 it closed a $45M growth round led by Creator Sports Capital (founded by ex-YouTube exec Ben Grubbs and Brian Kabot), with participation from Manhattan West Private Equity, Sunflower Bank and Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions.

Grass League

youtube.com/@Grass_League ↗

High-stakes par-3 golf league founded in 2023 with 11 franchises, streaming on YouTube, Peacock and Golf Channel. In July 2025 it raised $2.75M co-led by Creator Sports Capital and Old Tom Capital to expand its media team and content production.

The Sorry Girls

youtube.com/@TheSorryGirls ↗

DIY/lifestyle channel by Kelsey MacDermaid and Becky Wright. In August 2023 Mythical Ventures (the venture arm of Rhett & Link`s Mythical Entertainment) made what it described as its largest single creator-equity investment to date, taking a minority stake.

Jarvis Johnson

youtube.com/@jarvis ↗

Commentary YouTuber. First portfolio investment of Rhett & Link’s Mythical Creator Accelerator fund — a minority equity stake in Johnson’s creator business, made in 2021.

Daniel Thrasher

youtube.com/@DanielThrasher ↗

Comedy/music channel. Took a minority-equity investment from Mythical Ventures in April 2022 — the fund’s second creator-equity deal.

First We Feast (Hot Ones)

youtube.com/@FirstWeFeast ↗

Home of the Hot Ones interview show. In December 2024 a consortium led by Mythical (Rhett & Link) with Soros Fund Management, Crooked Media and host Sean Evans bought First We Feast from BuzzFeed for $82.5M.

Dr. Insanity

youtube.com/@DRinsanity ↗

One of YouTube's largest true-crime channels (5M+ subscribers, 1.3B+ views). Acquired in July 2026 as the first deal of Wonderloom Media, the creator-economy platform launched by ex-Wheelhouse CSO Ed Simpson with backing from Content Partners. Terms undisclosed.

Jonathan Katz-Moses

youtube.com/@katzmosestools ↗

Woodworking YouTuber whose KM Tools product line was projecting ~$10M in 2025 revenue. In August 2025 received a $2M check for roughly 10% of his holding company — the first investment from Slow Ventures' $60M Creator Fund.

The Diary Of A CEO

youtube.com/@TheDiaryOfACEO ↗

Steven Bartlett's interview show, the flagship of his holding company Steven.com (FlightStory, FlightCast, FlightFund). In October 2025 Slow Ventures and Apeiron Investment Group co-led a minority round at a $425M valuation; Bartlett retains over 90%.

The Rest Is History (Goalhanger)

youtube.com/@TheRestIsHistory ↗

Flagship of Goalhanger, the UK podcast-video network founded by Gary Lineker, Tony Pastor and Jack Davenport (also The Rest Is Football, The Rest Is Politics). In January 2026 TCG became Goalhanger's first outside investor, taking a minority stake and board seat to scale the franchises in the US.

Cars & Bids (Doug DeMuro)

youtube.com/@carsandbids ↗

Doug DeMuro's enthusiast-car auction site and YouTube brand. In January 2023 TCG took a majority stake in a deal that combined Cars & Bids with DeMuro's YouTube business, reportedly valuing the company at ~$37M.

TBPN

youtube.com/@tbpnlive ↗

Daily three-hour live tech and business talk show hosted by John Coogan and Jordi Hays on YouTube and X. Acquired outright by OpenAI in April 2026 — its first media acquisition, reported at $100M+ — with a stated commitment to editorial independence.

MeidasTouch Network

youtube.com/@MeidasTouch ↗

Progressive YouTube-first news network founded by brothers Ben, Brett and Jordan Meiselas. In April 2026 closed a growth round led by Soros Fund Management (terms undisclosed) to fund acquisitions of independent media outlets.

Call Her Daddy (Unwell Media)

youtube.com/@callherdaddy ↗

Alex Cooper's flagship show and the anchor of Unwell Media, her 12-show podcast and video network with Matt Kaplan. In August 2026 WTSL made the first outside investment in Unwell at a $500M pre-money valuation; the founders keep majority control.

MrBeast

youtube.com/@MrBeast ↗

In January 2026 Beast Industries took a $200M equity investment from Bitmine Immersion Technologies, the Tom Lee-chaired public Ethereum-treasury company — adding to the Alpha Wave-led 2024 round. Beast Industries went on to acquire fintech app Step in February 2026.

Starter Story

youtube.com/@starterstory ↗

Pat Walls' founder-interview channel (~800K subscribers) and case-study database. Acquired by HubSpot Media in February 2026 as part of HubSpot's push to buy YouTube-first creator brands as a customer-acquisition channel.

Futurepedia

youtube.com/@futurepedia_io ↗

AI-tools directory and education brand with a network of 17 YouTube channels and 2.1M learners. Acquired by HubSpot Media in April 2026, two months after Starter Story.

Tastemade

youtube.com/@Tastemade ↗

Food and travel video network founded in 2012, with tens of millions of followers across YouTube and FAST channels. Acquired for ~$90M in March 2025 by Marc Lore's Wonder Group (owner of Grubhub and Blue Apron) to anchor an owned media network.

Looper

youtube.com/@Looper ↗

Movie and TV explainer channel, flagship of Indianapolis-based Static Media (also Mashed, Grunge, Nicki Swift, The List). Montreal PE firm Novacap made a platform investment in Static Media in April 2023; stake size undisclosed.

Mashed

youtube.com/@mashed ↗

Static Media's food channel, one of the largest food publishers on YouTube. Part of the Static Media portfolio backed by Novacap since April 2023.

Jomboy Media

youtube.com/@JomboyMedia ↗

Jimmy O'Brien's baseball-first sports media company. Connect Ventures, the CAA/NEA joint venture, led a $5M round in May 2022 alongside WWE, Alexis Ohanian and Dwyane Wade; Major League Baseball took an undisclosed minority stake in June 2025 — the first equity stake by a sports league in a creator media company.

The Overlap

youtube.com/@TheOverlap ↗

Gary Neville's football channel (Stick to Football, Fan Debate; 38M monthly YouTube views). Miroma Ventures invested in 2021 and became majority owner; UK media group Global bought the majority stake in January 2026 with Neville and Global CEO Simon Pitts as co-chairs.

The Overlap

youtube.com/@TheOverlap ↗

Miroma Ventures was The Overlap's first outside investor in 2021, later moving to a majority shareholding, before selling to Global in January 2026.

The United Stand

youtube.com/@UnitedStand ↗

Mark Goldbridge's Manchester United fan channel (~2.3M subscribers). Acquired outright by Global-owned The Overlap in April 2026 together with That's Football, reportedly for over £1M combined.

That's Football

youtube.com/@ThatsFootball ↗

Football news channel (~1.5M subscribers) acquired outright by The Overlap in April 2026, to be relaunched as a daily news and podcast channel.

The Fellas Studios

youtube.com/@TheFellasStudios ↗

Video-podcast network founded in 2021 by Callum Airey (Calfreezy) and Joshua Larkin (TheBurntChip), home of The Fellas and Saving Grace. Acquired in full by Global in October 2025 as the first deal of its new Global Studios unit.

Legend (Guillaume Pley)

youtube.com/@LegendMedia ↗

French long-form interview channel (~3.7M subscribers) founded by Guillaume Pley, with ~€10M revenue in 2025. In May 2026 Belgian family office FG Bros bought ~25% in a €17M secondary deal at a €72M valuation; Pley retains ~55%.