Backlight Launches with Acquisition of ftrack, iconik, Celtx, Wildmoka and Zype (PSG-led $200M+ Investment)

Lightricks Acquires Popular Pays

March 23, 2022

Marketing & Advertising

Lightricks, the creator-focused software company behind apps like Facetune and Videoleap, has acquired Popular Pays, a Chicago-based influencer marketing and creator-monetization platform. The deal integrates Popular Pays' marketplace and campaign tools into Lightricks' creator suite to expand monetization and brand-collaboration capabilities for creators and provide brands streamlined access to creator-driven content.

Backstage Acquires FilmFreeway, Coverfly and Voice123

September 14, 2021

Media & Entertainment

Backstage, the freelancer marketplace and application suite for creators, announced the acquisitions of FilmFreeway, Coverfly and Voice123 — transactions supported by investor TA Associates. The deals expand Backstage’s creator tools and talent marketplaces by adding a film festival submissions platform (FilmFreeway), a writers’ discovery and data platform (Coverfly), and a global voiceover marketplace (Voice123).

PSG Makes Growth Investment in Lightkeeper

March 14, 2025

Cloud & SaaS

PSG, a growth equity firm, has made a growth investment in Lightkeeper to accelerate product innovation and strengthen client service. As part of the transaction, PSG Senior Advisor Dean Schaffer was appointed CEO while Lightkeeper’s senior management remains in place and Danny Dias transitions to Chief Product Officer.

Schneider Electric, AES and Huck Capital-Led Group Invest in Uplight at $1.5B Valuation

July 28, 2021

Cloud & SaaS

Uplight has received new equity investment from a consortium co-led by Schneider Electric, AES and a Huck Capital-led investor group (including Coatue and Inclusive Capital Partners), valuing the company at $1.5 billion. The financing — in which prior majority investor Rubicon Technology Partners will remain a minority holder — provides growth capital to accelerate product development, M&A and international expansion in the clean-energy software market.

Cast & Crew Acquires Backstage Holdings

February 1, 2022

Media & Entertainment

Cast & Crew has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Backstage Holdings, the subscription-based talent marketplace and content-creation platform. The acquisition (financed with cash and stock) brings Backstage's marketplaces and creative tools into Cast & Crew's end-to-end production platform, expanding capabilities across talent, payroll, HR, finance and creative workflow; Backstage will continue to operate as a distinct brand under existing leadership.

PSG Invests $150 Million in Uscreen

February 13, 2025

Cloud & SaaS

PSG has made a $150 million growth equity investment in Uscreen, a video monetization SaaS platform for the creator economy. The capital will be used to accelerate product development — including upgraded mobile and TV apps, advanced marketing and community tools — to support creators' ability to monetize and grow recurring revenue.