Unwell, a media company established in 2023 by married couple Alex Cooper and Matt Kaplan, has received its first external investment from WTSL, an investment firm founded by Patrick Whitesell, the former executive chairman of Endeavor and co-founder of WME. The funding round values Unwell at $500 million, with Cooper and Kaplan maintaining majority ownership of the company.
According to Unwell, the company has remained profitable since its inception and characterizes the new capital as growth funding. The media company focuses on content targeting Gen Z women audiences and stated it reaches 70 million women monthly. Whitesell’s investment firm brings strategic guidance and industry connections, with WTSL previously supporting ventures including Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions.
Unwell’s portfolio spans multiple media formats and platforms. The company operates a podcast network of more than a dozen shows, backed by partnerships with SiriusXM and YouTube. In video content, Unwell has produced programming for major streaming services including Disney+, Peacock, Hulu, and Netflix, with additional projects in development. The company has also expanded into live events, consumer products including energy drinks and hydration beverages, and other entertainment experiences.
The investment announcement arrives after reporting earlier this year detailed workplace allegations regarding co-founder Matt Kaplan. Vanity Fair and Bloomberg published accounts from employees and former staff describing a challenging work environment. Cooper addressed the allegations in an interview at Cannes Lions, stating that reports should not be entirely believed and that the company employs many satisfied workers. She also noted that female founders face different standards of scrutiny within the industry.
Unwell reported its audience as 89% female, with 72% between ages 18 and 35, and stated it has accumulated nearly 100 million followers across platforms. The company generated over 1.7 trillion earned media impressions in 2025, according to its claims.
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