AI-Podcasting Company Rebel Audio Raises Series A Funding at $50 Million Valuation (Exclusive)

AI-podcasting platform Rebel Audio is announcing the close of its series A funding round backed by Draft Kings co-founder Matt Kalish, who is now leading a new creator media company.

Rebel Audio is targeting a $10 million close, which would value the podcasting company at about $50 million post-money. Kalish’s HardScope, which launched in September with the goal of building out creator-led IP into franchises, led the funding round. Kalish also has a seat on the board of directors.

Rebel Audio, which came out of stealth mode in March 2026, employs AI tools to help creators record, edit, publish, translate, distribute and monetize their content. Jared Gutstadt, who previously founded podcasting production company Audio Up, founded the company.

Mark Burnett, the TV producer behind The Apprentice, Survivor, The Voice and Shark Tank, is an advisor for the startup, alongside Mike Majlak, the co-host of podcast Impaulsive with Logan Paul, who is also the chief creator in residence. Ben Lurie, Jacob Dezarn, and Jonathan Schulman are also on the board.

While the funding round is largely completed, the company still has a 90-day window for additional investment. This follows the company’s oversubscribed seed round of $4.15 million.

The latest funding round will be used to expand the company’s AI infrastructure and increase creator acquisition and marketing, as the company grows.

“I started my career in dark editing rooms, fighting the tools just to get the work done, and have been building creator tools ever since,” Gutstadt said. “Rebel is the simplest version of that mission: remove the friction, give creators their time back. Matt co-founded DraftKings and scaled it into one of the biggest names in sports entertainment. He knows technology, and he knows performance marketing. That’s the fuel for our network effect.”

“Rebel Audio empowers millions of aspiring creators to make great content independently and with almost no friction,” Kalish said. “The next generation of creators will use one-stop-shop AI powered platforms to show you don’t need a big team to create and launch great content. You can get started today, all by yourself on Rebel’s technology. Empowering creators to build ambitious projects and build an audience is core to HardScope’s mission.”