SAN FRANCISCO – Budding Food Network stars will soon have their own platform on which to shine. Steven Chen, co-founder of YouTube, and Vijay Karunamurthy, former engineering lead for YouTube, will launch Nom, a live, interactive video platform that enables Joe/Jane Public to direct, produce and host original food shows instantaneously from a smartphone or desktop.
The project so far has received $4.7 million in Series A funding from Blue Run Ventures, WI Harper Group, Khosla Ventures and SV Angel. Personal investments came from PSY, who rose to fame via YouTube with his hit song “Gangnam Style”; actor Jared Leto, and chefs Corey Lee and Ming Tsai who has his own cooking show that airs on PBS.
“Nom is a place for food lovers,” Chen said in a news release. “If you’ve ever snapped a picture of your dinner, Nom is for you. If you have a food blog and want to connect to a bigger audience, Nom is for you. If a restaurant kitchen is your office, Nom is for you.”
Chen will hold a demonstration of Nom on March 14 at this year’s South by Southwest (SXSW) music and media conference held in Austin, Texas.
