Emmett Shear
Encyclopedia
Emmett Shear is an Internet entrepreneur and investor. He is the co-founder of live video platforms Justin.tv
and TwitchTV
. He's also a part-time partner at venture capital firm Y Combinator
. Shear is also co-founder of Kiko Software, the first AJAX
-based online calendar. Shear graduated from Yale University
in 2005 with a degree in computer science.
, Michael Seibel and Kyle Vogt, started Justin.tv
, a 24-7 live video feed of Kan’s life, broadcast via a webcam attached to his head.
Kan’s “lifecasting” lasted about eight months but the four partners decided to transition to providing a live video platform so anyone could publish a live video stream. Justin.tv, the platform, launched in 2007 and is now one of the largest live video platforms in the world with more than 30 million unique users every month.
On August 29, 2011, Shear became CEO.
The company then decided to spin off the gaming content under a separate brand at a separate site. They named it TwitchTV, inspired by the term twitch gameplay. It launched officially in public beta on June 6, 2011.
in June 2011, where he offers advice to the new startups in each batch. He was a member of the first batch of YC-funded startups in 2005 for Kiko Calendar, and was funded by YC again for Justin.tv.
Justin.tv
Justin.tv is a website created by Justin Kan, Emmett Shear, Michael Seibel and Kyle Vogt in 2007 that allows anyone to broadcast video online. Justin.tv user accounts are called "channels", and users are encouraged to broadcast a wide variety of user-generated live video content, called...
and TwitchTV
TwitchTV
TwitchTV is an online video platform designed for broadcasting and viewing people playing video games live. The site attracted 8 million unique viewers in July of 2011...
. He's also a part-time partner at venture capital firm Y Combinator
Y Combinator
Y Combinator is an American seed-stage startup funding firm, started in March 2005. Y Combinator provides seed money, advice, and connections at two 3-month programs per year...
. Shear is also co-founder of Kiko Software, the first AJAX
Ajax
- Mythology :* Ajax , son of Telamon, ruler of Salamis and a hero in the Trojan War, also known as "Ajax the Great"* Ajax the Lesser, son of Oileus, ruler of Locris and the leader of the Locrian contingent during the Trojan War.- People :...
-based online calendar. Shear graduated from Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
in 2005 with a degree in computer science.
Justin.tv
In 2006, Shear, along with partners Justin KanJustin Kan
Justin Kan is an Internet entrepreneur and investor. He is the co-founder of live video platforms Justin.tv and TwitchTV, as well as the mobile social video application, Socialcam. He also serves as a part-time partner at venture capital firm Y Combinator...
, Michael Seibel and Kyle Vogt, started Justin.tv
Justin.tv
Justin.tv is a website created by Justin Kan, Emmett Shear, Michael Seibel and Kyle Vogt in 2007 that allows anyone to broadcast video online. Justin.tv user accounts are called "channels", and users are encouraged to broadcast a wide variety of user-generated live video content, called...
, a 24-7 live video feed of Kan’s life, broadcast via a webcam attached to his head.
Kan’s “lifecasting” lasted about eight months but the four partners decided to transition to providing a live video platform so anyone could publish a live video stream. Justin.tv, the platform, launched in 2007 and is now one of the largest live video platforms in the world with more than 30 million unique users every month.
On August 29, 2011, Shear became CEO.
TwitchTV
After Justin.tv launched in 2006, the site quickly began building subject-specific content categories like Social, Tech, Sports, Entertainment, News & Events, Gaming and others. Gaming, in particular, grew very fast and became the most popular content on the site.The company then decided to spin off the gaming content under a separate brand at a separate site. They named it TwitchTV, inspired by the term twitch gameplay. It launched officially in public beta on June 6, 2011.
Y Combinator
Shear became a part-time partner at Y CombinatorY Combinator
Y Combinator is an American seed-stage startup funding firm, started in March 2005. Y Combinator provides seed money, advice, and connections at two 3-month programs per year...
in June 2011, where he offers advice to the new startups in each batch. He was a member of the first batch of YC-funded startups in 2005 for Kiko Calendar, and was funded by YC again for Justin.tv.