Introduction to Casey Neistat and his company ventures
Casey Neistat is a filmmaker, entrepreneur, and content creator known for building multiple brands and media companies. This overview focuses on verifiable company information, founding timelines, product lines, and current operational status rather than moment-to-moment news. It covers Beme, CNN partnership projects, 368, and other ventures to clarify what Neistat founded, cofounded, or led, with dates, roles, and outcomes where publicly confirmed. The aim is a lasting explainer that separates company facts from speculation.
Background and early career context
From early films to YouTube breakthrough
Before focusing on company formation, Neistat built a following through self-produced shorts and collaborations. He moved to New York in his early twenties, experimented with short films, and later gained traction on YouTube with personal vlogs and creative projects. These early efforts formed the foundation for future brand and media opportunities, demonstrating an emphasis on storytelling and product-led growth that would define his later ventures.
Key ventures and company timeline
The most reliable timeline of Casey Neistat's companies centers on a few major projects, their launches, partnerships, and current statuses. Below is a concise comparison of notable ventures, founding years or public launch periods, and roles, based on public records, press releases, and contemporaneous announcements.
| Company / Project | Year Established or Launched | Role and Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beme (company) | 2015 | Co‑founder; acquired 2016 | Headed product and creative; app focused on live, unedited video sharing |
| CNN series (Neistat Brothers) | 2017 | Co‑creator, CNN Studios partnership | Nonprofit‑focused series and related digital content with CNN; concluded or wound down after partnership ended |
| 368 (company) | 2018 | Founder, CEO | Media and education company producing courses, documentaries, and behind‑the‑scenes content; active and creator‑focused |
| Bike app (NYC Bike Tracker) | 2015 | Creator / public project | Open source iOS app that spurred city bike‑share improvements; not a commercial company |
Company profile: Beme
Beme was founded in 2015 by Casey Neistat and Matt Hackett as a technology company building a mobile app for raw, live video sharing without comments or filters. The product emphasized authenticity and immediacy, aligning with Neistat's filmmaking background. In early 2016, CNN acquired Beme, absorbing the team and technology to fold into CNN Digital. Post‑acquisition, Neistat led CNN’s New York studio efforts for several years before departing to focus on independent projects and education ventures.
Company profile: CNN Studios collaboration and Neistat Brothers
Following Beme’s acquisition, Neistat partnered with CNN Studios on a documentary series known as the Neistat Brothers, around 2017. The project highlighted nonprofit founders and operational transparency, financed by CNN as a branded series. While well‑received, the arrangement was tied to the CNN partnership, which eventually concluded. No lasting standalone company emerged from this joint venture, though the series remains a reference point in Neistat's media history. Period coverage notes that the work focused on mission‑driven entrepreneurship rather than commercial ventures.
Company profile: 368 and current operations
In 2018, Neistat launched 368, a media and education company producing long‑form documentaries, courses, and behind‑the‑scenes content. Operating as an independent venture, 368 focuses on creator education, original documentary series, and commercial creative work. As of the latest public information, Neistat remains founder and CEO, with the company continuing to release content through its platform and partnerships. 368 marked a shift toward structured educational offerings and subscription‑oriented products, signaling a more sustainable, business‑focused approach compared to earlier consumer apps.
Products and public releases associated with Neistat's companies
- Beme app: Released 2015; discontinued after CNN acquisition integration.
- CNN series episodes: 2017; digital short‑form documentaries focused on nonprofit founders.
- 368 content library: Ongoing documentaries, creator courses, and behind‑the‑scenes films released post‑2018.
- NYC Bike Tracker app: 2015; civic tech project that influenced New York City bike‑share improvements; remains available as open source.
Current status and clarifications
As of the latest available information, Casey Neistat is active as founder and CEO of 368, which operates a media and education business. Beme is defunct as a standalone company following its 2016 acquisition. The CNN partnership projects have concluded, and no current joint commercial entity with CNN exists. Neistat periodically releases documentary content and educational products under the 368 banner, with no indication of imminent shutdown or major restructuring in publicly available statements.
Common questions and misconception notes
- Did Casey Neistat start a company after Beme? Yes, he founded 368 in 2018.
- Is Casey Neistat still running a company? Yes, he is founder and CEO of 368 as of the latest verified information.
- Does Casey Neistat still have a presence on YouTube? He has posted intermittently; his primary focus has shifted to long‑form documentaries and educational offerings through 368 rather than daily vlogging.
- Is any original Beme technology still in use? Elements of Beme's live streaming approach influenced later CNN digital products, but the original Beme product no longer exists under that name.
Conclusion and reliable takeaways
Key facts about Casey Neistat's companies are straightforward when sourced from official announcements and credible media reports: he cofounded Beme (2015, acquired 2016), collaborated on CNN projects (2017), and founded 368 (2018), where he remains active. For long‑term reference, the most relevant details are the founding years, leadership roles, and current operational status of 368. This explainer is designed to remain useful by focusing on verifiable company milestones rather than transitory news or speculation.