What Bloomberg Connects does

Bloomberg Connects is a free mobile application and content management platform operated under Bloomberg Philanthropies, providing digital guides to over 1,500 cultural institutions across 52 countries. Launched in November 2019, the platform enables museums, galleries, sculpture parks, gardens, historic houses, and other cultural spaces to deliver bespoke audio, video, and text content to visitors through a customizable mobile interface available on iOS and Android. As of 2024, the platform reaches 10.1 million users globally, with cultural partners ranging from flagship institutions such as The Frick Collection and MoMA to smaller heritage sites.

The platform's technology stack centers on a pre-built, customizable app interface paired with a Content Management System (CMS) that allows partner institutions to build and maintain their own digital guides. Core integrations include Google Maps for on-site navigation and Google Translate for multilingual content delivery in over 50 languages. Built-in accessibility features encompass VoiceOver screen reader support, alt text for images, text scaling, captions, and audio transcripts. The 8-person operating team supports a 13-week cohort-based onboarding process in which institutions assemble cross-departmental teams, build guides in the CMS, and participate in one-on-one sessions and group learning calls. AI features such as the 'Ask Dalí' conversational agent and 'Dream Tapestry' image generator exist at the partner-institution level rather than as standardized platform capabilities.

As a non-profit initiative, Bloomberg Connects charges neither users nor cultural institutions for access. The service is entirely funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies as part of its mission to make arts and culture more accessible. No commercial revenue model is disclosed, and growth is driven by organic word-of-mouth among museum professionals rather than paid customer acquisition. The primary legal entity operating the platform is Bloomberg Consulting LLC, with affiliated entities Bloomberg Philanthropies Support LLC and Bloomberg Family Foundation, Inc.

Name

Bloomberg Connects

Legal name

Bloomberg Consulting LLC

Website

https://bloombergconnects.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Bloomberg Connects is a free mobile app and CMS platform funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, providing digital guides to 1,500+ cultural institutions across 52 countries for over 10.1 million users worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital Museum Guide Platform

akta.pro primary industry

Local & City Guide Content Aggregators (MPACAKAJ)

Keywords

• Digital museum guides
• Cultural heritage platform
• Arts mobile app
• Museum audio guides
• Cultural content platform

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Free App for End Users: The Bloomberg Connects mobile app is completely free for individual users to download and use. Users can access digital guides from hundreds of cultural institutions worldwide at no cost, with no limits on the number of digital guides they can explore.
2. Free Platform for Cultural Institutions: Bloomberg Connects does not charge cultural institutions to join the platform. The service is provided free to museums, galleries, gardens, and cultural spaces. The program is funded entirely by Bloomberg Philanthropies as part of their ongoing support for arts and culture.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Bloomberg Connects is a free mobile application (iOS, Android, and mobile web) that aggregates digital guides from 1,500+ museums, galleries, sculpture parks, gardens, and cultural institutions worldwide. Cultural partners build their own guides using a partner Content Management System (CMS), while end users access curated audio, video, and text content through the app. The platform is entirely free for both institutions and users, funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bloomberg Connects Mobile Application Free mobile app available on iOS and Android that provides access to digital guides, audio tours, video content, curator talks, and behind-the-scenes material from 1,500+ cultural institutions worldwide. Designed for individual visitors, art enthusiasts, students, and remote explorers seeking on-site and remote arts and culture experiences.
• Bloomberg Connects Mobile Web Application Browser-based mobile web application providing the same digital guide access as the native app for users on mobile devices without native app installation.
• Partner Content Management System (CMS) Content management platform that allows cultural partner institutions to build, customize, and update their own digital guides using a pre-built customizable app interface. Institutions assemble cross-departmental teams, attend one-on-one content sessions and group learning calls, and receive ongoing training, marketing, and technical support after launch.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 30% of visitors used the app at Frick Madison during the institution's temporary relocation
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability9 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Cultural Institution Partners (1,500+)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2019Bloomberg Connects partners with over 1,500 museums, galleries, sculpture parks, gardens, and cultural spaces globally to provide free digital guides. Partners receive a pre-built customizable app interface, training, marketing support, and technical assistance. The partnership enables institutions to reach broader audiences both onsite and remotely.
• Google MapscoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegrated mapping technology used to help visitors navigate exhibition spaces and explore outdoor areas at cultural institutions. Subject to Google Maps/Google Earth Additional Terms of Service.
• Google TranslatecoreTechnology or IntegrationPowers multilingual translations for the app, enabling content delivery in over 50 languages. DISCLAIMER: Google disclaims all warranties related to translations.
• Apple Inc.coreTechnology or IntegrationApple-branded devices (iOS) are supported Authorized Devices for the Bloomberg Connects App. Apple is a third-party beneficiary of the Terms and Conditions agreement.
• Google Inc.coreTechnology or IntegrationGoogle Android devices are supported Authorized Devices for the Bloomberg Connects App. Google is a third-party beneficiary of the Terms and Conditions agreement.
• Bloomberg PhilanthropiesflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerBloomberg Connects was created by Bloomberg Philanthropies as part of their mission to make art and culture accessible. Bloomberg Philanthropies funds all development, platform maintenance, and partner support at no cost to institutions or users.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Cuseum: Digital engagement platform for museums and cultural institutions offering mobile guides, AR/VR experiences, and visitor engagement tools. Targets the same institutional customer base as Bloomberg Connects with more monetized, feature-rich offerings.
• Google Arts & Culture: Google's free digital platform partnering with thousands of museums and cultural institutions globally to provide online access to high-resolution art, virtual tours, and curated content. Most directly comparable to Bloomberg Connects in mission, free model, and partner ecosystem.
• Smartify: Mobile app that helps museum visitors identify artworks via image recognition and access digital guides from partner institutions. Competes head-to-head with Bloomberg Connects as a free museum companion app focused on art identification and guide content.
• GuideID: Cloud-based digital audio guide platform for museums, attractions, and cultural sites, accessible via smartphone. Offers similar guide-as-a-service functionality to Bloomberg Connects for cultural institutions, though with a commercial pricing model.

Broad incumbents

• Orpheo Group: Established global provider of audio guide solutions and multimedia interpretation systems for museums and cultural sites. Competes in the museum digital guide category but typically via paid hardware/software sales rather than a free app model.

Others

• Bloomberg Philanthropies: Parent funder and strategic sponsor of Bloomberg Connects. Operates broader arts and culture programs that fund digital innovation at cultural institutions; comparable as the parent entity whose strategy directly determines the platform's continued investment and roadmap.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/bbgconnects
• Facebookfacebook.com/bloombergconnects
• Instagraminstagram.com/bloombergconnects
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bloomberg-connects

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bloomberg Connects