Standing Out in the Video Livestreaming Gold Rush

Suddenly, it seems, the whole world is live-streaming. Thanks to Facebook, Google (YouTube), Amazon.com (Twitch), and Twitter (Periscope), anyone even vaguely interested in broadcasting live video online can figure out how to do it. The sales pitches from these companies are simple: stream first, ask questions later. And as with the heyday of blogging a decade ago, the live-streaming gold rush means there’s money for anyone selling shovels. In this case, that translates to the technical hardware, software, and know-how needed to make amateur live video look more professional.

One of the early leaders in this growing subset of America’s online video ad market is the aptly named Livestream, a Brooklyn, N.Y., startup that’s raised $17 million since its 2007 founding. Livestream sells its 10,000 clients editing software, analytics, and consulting services, including help with production, that range from $99 a month for one-man shows to upwards of $1,199 a month for custom corporate gigs. “We can take you through the whole customer journey, from dipping your toe in for the first time to stepping up your game to a full multicamera production,” says Chief Executive Officer Jesse Hertzberg. “You can plug in our system and be live very quickly.”