Who Owns Inverse?
Inverse is owned by BDG Media, Inc., the New York digital publisher controlled by Bryan Goldberg. Founded by Dave Nemetz in 2015 and acquired by BDG in July 2019, Inverse covers science, technology and innovation for millennial readers as the group's tech and science vertical.
Parent Company
Founded
2015
Status
Private
Headquarters
Inverse Timeline
United StatesOfficial Website
Who Owns Inverse?
- Parent Company: BDG Media, Inc.
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Company Type: Privately Held
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Inverse | BDG Media, Inc. | Wholly owned |
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History of Inverse
- Founded: 2015
- Founders: Dave Nemetz
Dave Nemetz founded Inverse in 2015, raising seed funding to build a science and technology publication aimed at millennial readers who found traditional tech press either too trade-oriented or too gadget-focused. Its early positioning, serious science delivered accessibly, won an audience between Wired's enthusiast coverage and mainstream science journalism.
The site built coverage strengths in space, gaming, entertainment technology and science explainers, and Nemetz expanded it with additional funding through its independent years. BDG's July 2019 acquisition folded it into the portfolio as the group's tech-science property, where it joined Bustle and newly acquired NYLON.
Under BDG the site continued covering space exploration, consumer technology and science culture, though the company's cost pressures showed: in late 2025 it cut its dedicated gaming section and laid off staff as BDG redirected resources toward its influencer and events strategy. It remains an active title within the portfolio, focused on science and future-oriented coverage.
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About BDG Media, Inc.
Who owns BDG Media?
BDG is privately held. Founder and CEO Bryan Goldberg controls the company alongside venture investors including General Catalyst, Social Capital, Saban Capital Group and Medici Capital Partners.
Is BDG Media publicly traded?
No. It planned a SPAC listing in 2021 valuing it around $600 million, but the deal was abandoned and the company remains private.
What brands does BDG own?
Active titles include Bustle, Elite Daily, NYLON, W Magazine, Inverse, Romper, Scary Mommy and The Zoe Report. Gawker, Mic, Input and Fatherly are owned but dormant or operating minimally.
When was BDG founded?
Bryan Goldberg founded Bustle in August 2013. The holding company adopted the name Bustle Digital Group in 2017 and rebranded as BDG in 2021.
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Does BDG still own Gawker?
Yes, BDG retains the Gawker assets acquired for $1.35 million in 2018. It relaunched the site in 2021 and shut it down again in February 2023 to prioritize better-monetizing properties.
How profitable is BDG?
BDG projected roughly $130 million in 2025 revenue at about a 10 percent profit margin, according to an October 2025 Axios report, following years of restructuring toward events and membership revenue.
- Founded: 2013
- Headquarters: New York City, New York, United States
- Company Type: Privately Held
- Revenue: Approximately $130 million (2025, reported)
- Employees: Approximately 240
Where Is Inverse Made / Based?
- Headquarters: New York City, New York, United States
Inverse Categories & Tags
Inverse Recalls & Controversies
Inverse's notable controversies are internal: the 2025 elimination of its gaming section and associated layoffs drew coverage in gaming media and criticism over the direction of a once-ambitious science title. It shares BDG's broader labor friction and repeated restructuring exposure. There is no record of major editorial scandals attached to the brand.
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Brands Owned by BDG Media, Inc.
Media EntertainmentBustle
Owned by BDG Media, Inc.
Flagship women's lifestyle site of BDG Media, founded by Bryan Goldberg in 2013 and read by millions monthly.
digital-mediawomens-medialifestyle
Media EntertainmentElite Daily
Owned by BDG Media, Inc.
Millennial lifestyle publication owned by BDG Media since 2017, previously sold by DMG Media.
digital-medialifestylemillennial
Media EntertainmentGawker
Owned by BDG Media, Inc.
Iconic gossip and media criticism site owned by BDG Media since 2018, currently dormant after two shutdowns.
digital-mediagossipmedia-criticism
Media EntertainmentNYLON
Owned by BDG Media, Inc.
Fashion and culture title owned by BDG Media since 2019, relaunched with print editions and a membership events model.
fashion-mediamagazinedigital-media
Inverse Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Shared BDG infrastructure sustains a niche vertical cheaply
- +Portfolio advertising relationships support revenue
- +Science niche diversifies a lifestyle-heavy portfolio
- +Established domain authority in search
Considerations
- -Reduced investment signals deprioritization
- -Tech and science journalism is a crowded segment
- -Parent's strategy favors brands that fit events economics
- -Staff reductions limit coverage depth
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Frequently Asked Questions About Inverse
Sources & Further Reading
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Competitors to Inverse
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bustle Digital Group | United States | 2013 | Mass market | United states | All Genders | |
| Bustle Digital Group | United States | 2012 | Mass market | United states | All Genders | |
| Lbg Media | USA | 2011 | Mass market | United states | All Genders | |
| Dmg Media | United Kingdom | 2003 | Mass market | Global | All Genders | |
| Bertelsmann | USA | 2013 | Mass market | Global | All Genders | |
| North Equity | USA | 2018 | Mass market | United states | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors
Media EntertainmentBustle
Owned by BDG Media, Inc.
Flagship women's lifestyle site of BDG Media, founded by Bryan Goldberg in 2013 and read by millions monthly.
digital-mediawomens-medialifestyle
Media EntertainmentElite Daily
Owned by BDG Media, Inc.
Millennial lifestyle publication owned by BDG Media since 2017, previously sold by DMG Media.
digital-medialifestylemillennial
Media EntertainmentBetches
Owned by LBG Media plc
Digital media brand for millennial and Gen Z women, founded in 2011, producing social content, podcasts, newsletters, books, and live events. Owned by LBG Media since 2023.
digital-mediawomens-mediapodcasts
Media EntertainmentMailOnline
Owned by dmg media Limited
dmg media's free global news site at dailymail.co.uk, one of the world's most-visited English-language news domains.
news-websitedigital-mediauk-media
Media EntertainmentPenguin Random House
Owned by Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA
The world's largest trade book publisher, with more than 350 imprints and roughly 14,500 new titles per year. Wholly owned by Bertelsmann of Germany since 2013.
publishingbooksbertelsmann
Media EntertainmentRecurrent Ventures
Owned by North Equity LLC
Miami digital media company behind The Drive and Donut Media, backed by venture equity firm North Equity.
digital-mediapublishingautomotive-media
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Inverse competes with 6 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
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Media EntertainmentSimon & Schuster
Owned by Simon & Schuster LLC
Major American book publishing brand founded in 1924, owned by KKR since 2023 and a member of the Big Five trade publishers.
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Simon & Schuster operates independently without a large parent corporation.
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ad-techad-optimizationheader-bidding
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Media EntertainmentAEG
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Global sports and live entertainment brand of Anschutz Entertainment Group, owner of major venues, festivals including Coachella, and sports teams such as the LA Kings and LA Galaxy.
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AEG operates independently without a large parent corporation.
Jobs at BDG Media, Inc.
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