--- title: "National Association of Broadcasters Invests in Startups" id: "32632" type: "post" slug: "national-association-of-broadcasters-invests-in-startups" published_at: "2016-03-28T21:34:16+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-16T15:46:47+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2016/03/28/national-association-of-broadcasters-invests-in-startups/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2016/03/28/national-association-of-broadcasters-invests-in-startups.md" excerpt: "The country’s main radio and television broadcasting association is taking giant steps to support innovation in the sector—both by highlighting startups at its events and investing in them." taxonomy_category: - "Business Development" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "Broadcasting" - "Business" - "Innovation" - "startups" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "C-Level" - "Executive Team" - "VP" taxonomy_persona: - "Executive Leadership" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » National Association of Broadcasters Invests in Startups The [National Association of Broadcasters (opens in a new tab)](https://www.nab.org/default.asp) is taking a look around the corner to see what vehicles are coming in the world of broadcast—and possibly to pilot them. NAB has been exploring broadcasting startups, and now it plans to expand its innovator initiative. NAB Labs is in the midst of a transition—complete with a name change to PILOT—after investing with three early-stage companies. One is [Haystack TV (opens in a new tab)](http://www.haystack.tv/) , in which users can set up personalized video news streams. Another is [Antenna (opens in a new tab)](https://www.antenna.is/) , which allows publishers and retailers to create simple, customized audience-feedback tools on mobile and web content. And the third is [Yet Analytics (opens in a new tab)](http://www.yetanalytics.com/) , a platform built to connect data for decision makers. PILOT is “a new initiative for technology innovators, educators and advocates working to strengthen current broadcaster services and to foster new media opportunities,” [the landing page states (opens in a new tab)](http://www.nablabs.org/pilot/) . The new initiative is exciting, but one question remains: Why was it created? It’s simple. Sam Matheny, NAB’s executive vice president and chief technology officer, [explained to Poynter (opens in a new tab)](http://www.poynter.org/2016/national-association-of-broadcasters-has-started-investing-directly-in-tech-startups/402886/) that the program’s mission is to “see further into the future sooner.” The association wants to be ahead of the curve and to help build the future in broadcasting and communication, be it data, media, education, or whatever else is out there. NAB typically is investing less than $1 million in these early-stage startups, Matheny said. “As the definition of what it means to be a broadcaster broadens, it is critical to work with traditional and new media partners on innovations to better meet the needs of future generations of consumers,” he [said in a news release (opens in a new tab)](https://www.nab.org/documents/newsroom/pressRelease.asp?id=3868) . “PILOT will build these partnerships among visionaries who share the goal of tackling the challenges and opportunities facing the broadcast industry in the 21st century.” ### PILOT Takes Flight This is a big year for the broadcast group and its work with startups. The association is bringing on John Clark, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as PILOT’s executive director. PILOT also currently has seven major charter members, including Google, Nielsen, and Yahoo. They “will help define key areas for development of innovative technologies and services for media companies with a focus on multiplatform digital distribution,” the group said in a news release. Meanwhile, the [NAB Show (opens in a new tab)](http://www.nabshow.com/) , the association’s annual conference that is being held in Las Vegas April 16-21, will host the fourth edition of [its annual SPROCKIT program](http://associationsnow.com/2015/02/nab-gets-bullish-digital-new-tradeshow-offerings/) , which [will highlight a fresh batch of startups (opens in a new tab)](http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160322006093/en/NAB-Show-Announces-Startups-Selected-Participate-SPROCKIT) showcased for possible backing. [Patrick deHahn](https://associationsnow.com/author/patrick-dehahn/) Patrick deHahn is a contributor to Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/patrick-dehahn/) Tags: [#Broadcasting](https://associationsnow.com/tag/broadcasting/) [#Business](https://associationsnow.com/tag/business/) [#Innovation](https://associationsnow.com/tag/innovation/) [#startups](https://associationsnow.com/tag/startups/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [Video2026 Summit Awards DinnerOctober 2, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/10/02/2026-summit-awards-dinner/) - [VideoAmerican Geophysical Union: Standing Up for Science: AGU’s Year of Action for Scientists and SocietySeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/american-geophysical-union-standing-up-for-science-agus-year-of-action-for-scientists-and-society/) - [VideoAmerican College of Emergency Physicians: ACEP Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation ProgramSeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/american-college-of-emergency-physicians-acep-geriatric-emergency-department-accreditation-program/) - [VideoPartnerships that Drive Success: ASAE Strategic Partnership AllianceAugust 26, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/08/26/partnerships-that-drive-success-asae-strategic-partnership-alliance/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2016%2F03%2F28%2Fnational-association-of-broadcasters-invests-in-startups%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !