Haystack is a free, ad‑supported video news aggregator that curates stories from over 400 local, national and international channels. Users personalize their headline feed by selecting locations, topics and sources, and can watch the tailored news on mobile apps, smart TVs, streaming devices or the web. An optional Premium subscription removes ads for a monthly fee.
Funding
$2M raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
Founders
Product
Problem
Consumers often struggle to find timely, relevant video news content without wading through large volumes of unrelated or low‑quality clips, and many existing services require paid subscriptions to access a broad range of sources.
Solution
Haystack provides a free, ad‑supported news aggregation platform that curates video stories from over 400 local, national, and global channels. The service uses user‑defined preferences—such as location, topics, and source selections—to personalize the headline feed, delivering the most pertinent stories directly to the user’s device. Content is available across mobile apps, smart TVs, streaming devices, and the web, ensuring seamless access wherever users watch. For those who prefer an uninterrupted experience, Haystack offers a Premium tier that removes ads for a monthly fee, with a 30‑day free trial. The platform also includes playback controls like autoplay, auto full‑screen, and customizable weather temperature units to enhance the viewing experience.
Target Audience
Haystack targets everyday news consumers who watch video news on mobile devices, smart TVs, or streaming platforms and desire a personalized, cost‑free experience, as well as users willing to pay for an ad‑free viewing option.
Features
- Aggregation of video news from 400+ local, national, and international channels
- Personalization engine allowing users to set location, topics, and source preferences
- Cross‑platform availability on mobile, smart TV, streaming devices, and web browsers
- Free access supported by advertising, with an optional ad‑free Premium subscription
- Playback options including autoplay, auto full‑screen, and manual zoom gestures
- Weather widget with selectable temperature units
- In‑app settings for easy adjustment of preferences and display options