Hartbeat
Hartbeat is a global multi-platform comedy entertainment company that produces and distributes film, TV, audio, and branded content for streaming platforms, advertisers, and audiences, anchored by Kevin Hart's personal brand.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2022
- HeadquartersEncino, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Hartbeat does
Hartbeat is a global multi-platform entertainment company that produces and distributes comedic content at the intersection of comedy and culture. Founded by comedian Kevin Hart in April 2022 via the merger of his prior entertainment businesses, the company is organized around three operating divisions: Hartbeat Studios (content production), Hartbeat Media (distribution), and Pulse (branded content). The company finances, develops, and produces film, television, audio, and experiential content, then distributes it through the owned LOL Network (a FAST channel on YouTube, Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram), major streaming platforms (Netflix, Peacock, Tubi, Roku), and broadcast networks. A catalog spanning feature films (Lift, Die Hart 2, Headliners Only), talk shows (Hart 2 Heart, Cold As Balls), podcasts (Gold Minds, One Song), and competition series (Funny AF) targets streaming platforms seeking celebrity-driven comedic programming.
Hartbeat generates revenue through content licensing and royalty arrangements with streaming platforms, branded entertainment partnerships through the Pulse division (with advertisers including Lyft, Hyundai, Old Spice, Chase Sapphire, Hulu, and SharkNinja), talent partnerships, and the Kevin Hart global brand ambassador relationship. The company received a $100 million minority investment from private equity firm Abry Partners in April 2022 at a $650 million post-money valuation, with NBCUniversal's Peacock remaining a shareholder. The Women Write Now fellowship, a partnership with the Sundance Institute developing Black female comedy writers, operates as a talent development pipeline alongside the company's creator-bridging business that finances digital-native YouTube creators scaling into traditional Hollywood production.
The company is headquartered in Encino, California with production facilities in West Hollywood and Canoga Park, and maintains a workforce of approximately 11-50 employees after a late 2024 restructuring that included roughly 20 layoffs and the departure of its CEO, CFO, and chief content officer. Kevin Hart assumed the CEO role in January 2025. Recent strategic activity includes a WME agency representation deal, a Tubi creator content partnership for four 2026 films, a SharkNinja brand ambassador partnership, and entry into the mobile-first microdrama format targeting a projected $14 billion global market.
Hartbeat firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hartbeat
- Legal name
- Hartbeat, LLC
- Website
- https://hartbeat.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2022
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Hartbeat is a global multi-platform comedy entertainment company that produces and distributes film, TV, audio, and branded content for streaming platforms, advertisers, and audiences, anchored by Kevin Hart's personal brand.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hartbeat industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Entertainment Content Production
- NAICS
- Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries (512), Motion Picture and Video Distribution (51212), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Stock Media, Asset Marketplaces & Licensing Platforms (BPAMAJAM)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Exclusive/Original Audio Content Studios (Audio Originals, Serialized Audio) (MPAJAIAF)
Keywords
Where Hartbeat is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Encino
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Hartbeat business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Content Production & Licensing: Hartbeat finances, develops, and produces film, TV, and audio content that is distributed through streaming platforms, theatrical release, and worldwide distribution networks. Revenue is generated through licensing deals with platforms like Netflix, Peacock, Tubi, and Roku.
- Branded Entertainment & Partnerships: The PULSE division creates custom branded content integrations for advertising partners including Lyft, Headspace, Old Spice, Hyundai, Hulu, and Chase Sapphire, generating revenue through creative partnerships and product placements.
- Talent Partnerships & Management: Hartbeat develops and manages comedic talent through programs like Women Write Now fellowship, producing content featuring emerging and established comedians.
- Private Equity Investment: Received $100 million investment from Abry Partners for a minority stake, providing capital for growth and expansion.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels8 records
Marketing channels5 records
Hartbeat product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hartbeat finances, develops, and produces comedy-focused film, television, and audio content distributed through streaming platforms (Netflix, Peacock, Tubi, Roku), broadcast networks, social media, and its LOL Network FAST channel. The company operates the Pulse division for branded entertainment partnerships and a portfolio of comedy series, podcasts, and digital content.
Product overview
Hartbeat is a global multi-platform entertainment company organized around three divisions: Studios (content production), Media (distribution), and Pulse (branded entertainment). The Studios division produces comedy-focused film, television, and audio content including feature films like 'Lift' and 'Die Hart 2,' talk shows like 'Cold As Balls' and 'Hart 2 Heart,' podcasts like 'Gold Minds' and 'One Song,' and competition series like 'Funny AF.' The Media division distributes content through the LOL Network across YouTube, Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram, as well as the Peacock streaming platform. The company also operates Women Write Now, a fellowship program in partnership with Sundance Institute that develops Black female comedy writers. Hartbeat was founded by Kevin Hart and launched in 2022 with a $100 million investment from Abry Partners, valued at $650 million.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- LOL Network: Laugh Out Loud Network - streaming network featuring comedy content across YouTube, Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram
- Women Write Now
- Pulse
Products and services
- Hartbeat Studios
Quantifiable outcome
- Company valued at $650 million following Abry Partners investment
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Hartbeat
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Hartbeat technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Hartbeat partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.
- PeacockcorePeacock launched a dedicated microdrama hub as Hollywood studios invest in short vertical video content. Hartbeat is among major players pouring resources into the format, with Omdia projecting $14 billion global microdrama revenues by 2026.
- BARK BARKminorBARK BARK and Hartbeat producing new episodes of 'Caddie & The Kid' premium golf and travel series on YouTube's LOL Network, featuring Ken Griffey Jr. and Michael Collins.
- Tubi (Fox Corporation)coreTubi announced its first creator-led original movie deal with Hartbeat, featuring four titles in 2026 including works by Kinigra Deon and 85 South Show group. The partnership bridges digital creators to Hollywood while maintaining creator freedom.
- SharkNinjamajorKevin Hart signed as global brand ambassador for SharkNinja in multi-year partnership launching digital series 'The Neighbors' featuring Kevin Hart and David Beckham as next-door neighbors showcasing products across TV and social media.
- WME (William Morris Endeavor)majorKevin Hart and Hartbeat signed with WME for representation in all areas including feature films, television, commercials, and podcasts. Hart was previously represented by WME for comedy touring, expanding the relationship company-wide.
- Peacock/NBCUniversalcoreNBCUniversal's streaming service Peacock remained a shareholder following Hartbeat's launch. Peacock distributes Hart 2 Heart, Olympic Highlights with Kevin Hart and Kenan Thompson, and other Hartbeat content.
- Sundance InstitutecorePartnership between Hartbeat and Sundance Institute for the Women Write Now comedic screenwriting fellowship, supporting Black female comedy writers through mentorship, production, and exhibition. The three resulting short films premiere at Sundance Film Festival.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Hartbeat competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- The SpringHill Company: The SpringHill Company is LeBron James and Maverick Carter's entertainment studio producing film, TV, branded content, and digital media. It is a near-perfect peer to Hartbeat: a celebrity-driven multi-platform entertainment company with branded content, streaming distribution, and a social impact arm.
- Hello Sunshine: Hello Sunshine is Reese Witherspoon's media company producing film, TV, and audio content, sold in 2021 to a Blackstone-backed venture. It mirrors Hartbeat's celebrity-anchored studio model with diversified platform distribution and branded entertainment.
- 101 Studios: 101 Studios is a global entertainment company producing film, television, and audio content with premium distribution partnerships. Comparable to Hartbeat as a similarly sized independent studio pursuing platform licensing and branded content.
- Will Packer Productions: Will Packer Productions is a film and TV production company behind major studio releases including the 'Ride Along' and 'Think Like a Man' franchises. It competes with Hartbeat for the same comedy theatrical and streaming slots and works with similar top-tier talent.
Emerging players
- Hoorae Media: Hoorae is Issa Rae's media company spanning film, TV, audio, and digital content for diverse audiences. Like Hartbeat, it is celebrity-led, mission-driven, and focused on underrepresented voices in comedy and culture.
- Hillman Grad Productions: Hillman Grad is Lena Waithe's production company developing scripted, unscripted, and branded content with a focus on inclusive storytelling. Comparable to Hartbeat in its celebrity-anchored, multi-format, social-impact-oriented model.
- Funny or Die: Funny or Die is a comedy-focused digital media and production company that produces short-form and long-form comedy content. It overlaps with Hartbeat's LOL Network on YouTube and represents a comparable comedy-first digital brand.
Broad incumbents
- A24: A24 is a larger independent entertainment company producing and distributing film and television. While broader in scope and genre than Hartbeat, A24 represents the incumbent benchmark for premium independent content at scale.
- Participant Media: Participant is an independent entertainment company producing socially impactful film and television content. Comparable to Hartbeat in its mission-driven approach and in developing content for streaming and theatrical distribution.
- Lionsgate: Lionsgate is a major independent studio with a large film and TV library, including comedy franchises. As a broad incumbent, it competes with Hartbeat for talent, platform deals, and audience attention across streaming and theatrical.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Hartbeat social profiles
Digital presenceHartbeat financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hartbeat leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Hartbeat funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hartbeat M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A2 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Hartbeat
What does Hartbeat do?
Hartbeat finances, develops, and produces comedy-focused film, television, and audio content distributed through streaming platforms (Netflix, Peacock, Tubi, Roku), broadcast networks, social media, and its LOL Network FAST channel. The company operates the Pulse division for branded entertainment partnerships and a portfolio of comedy series, podcasts, and digital content.
Is Hartbeat a public or private company?
Hartbeat is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Hartbeat founded?
Hartbeat was founded in 2022. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Hartbeat based?
Hartbeat is headquartered in Encino, United States, in the North America region.
How does Hartbeat make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Content Production & Licensing is the primary driver. The others are branded Entertainment & Partnerships, talent Partnerships & Management and private Equity Investment.
Who are Hartbeat's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are The SpringHill Company, Hello Sunshine, 101 Studios and Will Packer Productions. Emerging players are Hoorae Media, Hillman Grad Productions and Funny or Die. Broad incumbents are A24, Participant Media and Lionsgate.
Does Hartbeat have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hartbeat.
What industry is Hartbeat in?
Hartbeat's product category is Entertainment Content Production. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAMAJAM, Stock Media, Asset Marketplaces & Licensing Platforms, with a secondary code of MPAJAIAF, Exclusive/Original Audio Content Studios (Audio Originals, Serialized Audio). Its NAICS code is 512 and its SIC code is 7812.