Lefora

Lefora, founded in 2004, emerged as a platform enabling users to create and manage public and private online forums. The company was established by co-founders Dan Bragiel, who served as the Director of Operations, Vinnie Lauria as Chief Product Officer, and Samuel Stauffer as Chief Technology Officer. The platform was designed to modernize traditional online forums by integrating contemporary social features, allowing users to embed videos and photos within their communities.

Operating in the IT Consulting and Outsourcing industry, Lefora provided a free, accessible service for a wide array of interest groups, from hobbies like automotive and animals to professional and community-based discussions. The business catered to individuals and groups seeking a simple, engaging, and user-friendly way to foster online communities. By offering a hosted solution, it eliminated the technical barriers often associated with setting up and maintaining forum software. The platform hosted over 50,000 forums, indicating a significant user base attracted to its free and feature-rich environment.

The company secured $2.25 million in funding, with a notable Series A1 round in August 2008. Its investors included Claremont Creek Ventures, David Shen Ventures, and LaunchCapital. On July 26, 2010, Lefora was acquired by Perigee Holdings in a deal valued at $1 million, marking the conclusion of its journey as an independent, venture-backed entity.

Keywords: online forums, community platform, social forums, public forums, private forums, Lefora, Dan Bragiel, Vinnie Lauria, Samuel Stauffer, Perigee Holdings, online community builder, forum hosting, Claremont Creek Ventures, David Shen Ventures, LaunchCapital, user-generated content, social engagement, internet communities, discussion boards, message boards