What Does SEMAFOR Do?

Total employees117
HeadquartersNew York
Founded2022

Semafor is a global news organization founded in 2022 by Ben Smith, former editor-in-chief of BuzzFeed News and media columnist for The New York Times, and Justin B. Smith, former CEO of Bloomberg Media. Semafor aims to provide high-quality, transparent, and trustworthy journalism for a global audience, tackling complex stories with distinctive formats like 'Semaform' which presents news, reporter's analysis, contrasting views, and synthesis. They focus on a range of topics including politics, business, technology, and global affairs, with a mission to reduce polarization and build trust in media.

Where Is SEMAFOR's Headquarters?

SEMAFOR officeSEMAFOR officeSEMAFOR officeSEMAFOR office
*Images sourced via web search. Rights belong to original owners

HQ Function

The New York headquarters serves as the main operational and editorial hub, coordinating global news coverage, product development, and business strategy.

Notable Features:

As a modern media company, its offices are likely designed to foster collaboration and innovation, featuring open-plan workspaces and technology-enabled newsrooms.

Work Culture:

The work culture is described as dynamic, ambitious, and mission-driven, reflecting its startup nature combined with the intensity of a global newsroom. Emphasis is placed on journalistic rigor, innovation in storytelling, and a global perspective.

HQ Significance:

Being based in New York City provides Semafor direct access to key newsmakers, diverse talent, and proximity to major financial and cultural institutions, vital for a global news outlet.

Values Reflected in HQ: The headquarters' setup likely reflects Semafor's values of transparency, collaboration, and forward-thinking journalism through its design and operational flow.

Location:

Semafor supports its worldwide news coverage through its main offices in New York and Washington D.C., and strategically placed journalists and bureaus in key regions. This includes dedicated coverage and staff focusing on Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, enabling them to deliver diverse international perspectives and on-the-ground reporting for a global readership.

Street Address:

12 E 49th St, Floor 11

City:

New York

State/Province:

NY

Country:

USA

Where Else Does SEMAFOR Operate Around the World?

Washington D.C., USA

Address: Specific bureau address not widely publicized, common for news bureaus.

To provide in-depth, on-the-ground reporting and analysis of the U.S. political landscape and its global impact from the nation's capital.

London, UK

Address: Specific bureau address not widely publicized.

To offer comprehensive reporting on European affairs, Brexit implications, and UK-specific news, contributing to Semafor's international news output.

Buying Intent Signals for SEMAFOR

Highperformr Signals uncover buying intent and give you clear insights to target the right accounts at the right time — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams close more deals, faster.

Notable news
Hiring actively
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
*Example signal, not calculated in real time

Who's Leading SEMAFOR? Meet the Executive Team

As of April 2025, SEMAFOR' leadership includes:

Justin B. Smith - Co-founder & CEO
Ben Smith - Co-founder & Editor-in-Chief
Gina Chua - Executive Editor
Rachel Oppenheim - Chief Financial Officer
Niharika Mookerjee - Chief Business & Revenue Officer
Meera Pattni - Head of Global Communications

Who's Investing in SEMAFOR?

SEMAFOR has been backed by several prominent investors over the years, including:

David G. Bradley (Chairman Emeritus, Atlantic Media)
Jessica Lessin (Founder & CEO, The Information)
Jorge Paulo Lemann (Co-founder, 3G Capital)
Global Brain Corporation
Babel Tree
Catchlight Capital
Highsage Ventures
Individual private investors

What Leadership Changes Has SEMAFOR Seen Recently?

Hire0
Exits0

As a relatively new and growing company, Semafor has been focused on building out its core leadership team. While major foundational hires occurred around its launch, the past 12 months may have seen strategic additions or role evolutions to support expansion and specific initiatives. Publicly announced top-tier executive changes are less frequent after the initial establishment phase unless for significant strategic shifts.

What Technology (Tech Stack) Is Used bySEMAFOR?

Discover the tools SEMAFOR uses. Highperformr reveals the technologies powering your target accounts — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams prioritize smarter and close faster.

SEMAFOR Email Formats and Examples

Semafor Media likely utilizes common professional email address patterns, primarily combining employee names with their domain 'semafor.com'. The most probable formats are based on first name, last name, or initials.

[first_initial][last]@semafor.com or [first_name].[last_name]@semafor.com

Format

bsmith@semafor.com (example for Ben Smith) or ben.smith@semafor.com

Example

80%

Success rate

What's the Latest News About SEMAFOR?

Semafor.com • April 17, 2024

Semafor Hosts 2024 World Economy Summit in Washington D.C.

Semafor convened its annual World Economy Summit, bringing together global leaders from finance, government, and business to discuss pressing economic issues and opportunities. The event featured prominent speakers including U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva....more

Axios • January 10, 2024

Semafor buys back Sam Bankman-Fried's $10M investment

Semafor announced it has successfully repurchased the $10 million investment made by entities associated with former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried. This move followed the collapse of FTX and aimed to remove any associated complexities for the news organization....more

The New York Times • October 18, 2022

Semafor, Ben Smith’s News Start-Up, Makes Its Debut

Semafor, the global news organization co-founded by Ben Smith and Justin B. Smith, officially launched, aiming to provide a new model for journalism with transparency and diverse global perspectives at its core....more

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