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Semafor’s Next Stage

Semafor hasn’t raised money in over two years—but The Smiths may soon be back in the market, Status has learned.

Oliver Darcy
Oliver Darcy

Aug 6, 2025

Semafor’s Next Stage

Semafor hasn’t raised money in over two years—but The Smiths may soon be back in the market, Status has learned.

Oliver Darcy
Oliver Darcy

Aug 6, 2025

Justin Smith and Ben Smith. (Courtesy of Semafor)

When Ben Smith and Justin Smith launched Semafor in the fall of 2022, they entered the arena with big ambitions and $25 million in investor backing. Less than a year later, in May 2023, they announced another $19 million in funding, roughly half of which replaced a high-profile investment from disgraced crypto mogul Sam Bankman-Fried. Since then, the nearly three-year-old startup has largely stayed quiet on the fundraising front, opting to grow without tapping outside capital.

But that may soon change. I’m told Semafor is now…

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Oliver Darcy

Jon Passantino

Natalie Korach

Brian Lowry

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