
MasterClass Streams Inspiration When It's Needed Most
Our clients across the country are demonstrating remarkable resilience, innovation and creativity in this unusual year when COVID-19 has impacted all of our lives and businesses. Bridge Bank has put together some of these incredible stories that reinforce how businesses can rise to new heights even amid exceptional challenges. We are inspired and we hope you will be, too.
Who wouldn’t want to spend 10 minutes getting inspired by RuPaul, learning all about gardening from Ron Finley, learning negotiation tips from Chris Voss, cooking with Wolfgang Puck, or creativity and leadership from Anna Wintour? That’s the brilliant premise of MasterClass – a five-year-old, member-based, streaming platform where anyone can learn from the best.
When the world began “sheltering in place” in spring 2020, MasterClass knew it had the opportunity to deliver more at-home inspiration to more people. Already tailor-made for life at home during the pandemic, MasterClass added new instructors with classes reflecting the interests and concerns of people who were suddenly spending much more time at home.
“We understood people were looking for new ways to find inspiration, feed their curiosity and pursue growth,” said Beth Swierk, director of communications at MasterClass, a Bridge Bank client based in San Francisco. “So we shifted our strategy to provide more people with more access.”
The company launched MasterClass Live, a virtual video Q&A series that connected members and non-members with MasterClass instructors via video live-stream made available at no cost. The concept also introduced a “back to school” promotion for college students that unlocked all content on the platform for one year for just $1 – a major savings compared to the $180 annual membership fee.MasterClass Chief Executive Officer David Rogier sent an email to all members in March with an especially thoughtful offer: “As a small thank-you for being a member, we want to give you a free MasterClass All-Access Pass to give to someone whose life you’d like to make just a little better right now. They could be a confined relative, a neighbor, a local volunteer, or a person you’ve been relying on.”
“Our founding mission is to democratize access to the world’s greatest minds and unlock human potential by inspiring a learning lifestyle in everyone. Everyone means everyone,” added Swierk.
The company also started a pilot program with the California Department of Corrections and at Rikers Island in New York City, giving nearly 100,000 inmates free access to the platform. MasterClass also pledged to donate an additional 200,000 memberships in 2020 through their Grants program.
Overall, MasterClass has seen a surge of demand with its online classes in 2020. Since stay-at-home orders were first issued, the company has reported weeks when it generated 10 times the revenue as the same period in 2019. Member engagement is also up: People are watching twice the total minutes on a monthly basis.
To learn more about the tailored solutions and exceptional service Bridge Bank provides, contact one of our experienced bankers at (408) 423-8500.
Bridge Bank, a division of Western Alliance Bank, Member FDIC, helps business clients realize their ambitions. Founded in 2001 in Silicon Valley, Bridge Bank offers a better way to bank for small-market and middle-market businesses across many industries, as well as emerging technology companies and the private equity community. Geared to serving both venture-backed and non-venture-backed companies, Bridge Bank delivers a broad scope of financial solutions including capital, equipment and working capital credit facilities, venture debt, treasury management, asset-based lending, SBA and commercial real estate loans, ESOP finance and a full line of international products and services. Based in San Jose, Bridge Bank has 16 offices in major markets across the country along with Western Alliance Bank’s powerful array of specialized financial services. Western Alliance Bank is the primary subsidiary of Phoenix-based Western Alliance Bancorporation. One of the country’s top-performing banking companies, Western Alliance has ranked in the top 10 on the Forbes “Best Banks in America” list for five consecutive years, 2016-2020, and was named #1 best-performing of the 50 largest public U.S. banks for 2019 by S&P Global Market Intelligence.
-
Recent NewsBridge Bank Extends $25,000,000 Credit Facility to Health-AdeCloudBolt Announces $35 Million in Series B FundingBridge Bank Hires Tech Banker Jon Berry, Builds on Growth Momentum in AustinBridge Bank Expands Equity Fund Resources Group Hires Dragomir Sipovic, Vice PresidentBridge Bank Extends $2MM Credit Facility to Miva, Inc.
-
Recent InsightsMasterClass Streams Inspiration When It's Needed MostLeaving LIBOR: 4 things to know about changing interest rate benchmarksRegional Intelligence Report Series: California OutlookRegional Intelligence Report Series: South Bay OutlookProtect Your Data: The Cybersecurity Webinar
-
Get Started
-
Twitter“Not everybody can be famous but everybody can be great because greatness is determined by service… You only need a heart full of grace and a soul generated by love.” ~ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In observance of MLK Day, all Bridge Bank offices will be closed on Mon. 1/18. #MLK pic.twitter.com/rBAo4INJXBOur Technology Banking group recently provided a growth capital term loan to Funraise, a software company that provides a state-of-the-art fundraising platform, saving nonprofit organizations time and resources spent on data management. pic.twitter.com/StETyssfLeOur #Technology Banking group recently provided a credit facility to @DrinkHealthAde, an organic beverage company. To learn more details, read our press release. westernalliancebancorporation.com/bridge-bank-ho… - about 1 month 3 weeks ago pic.twitter.com/0eWWI16N08Our Technology Banking Group at Bridge Bank recently provided a credit facility to CloudBolt Software, an enterprise leader in cloud management and integration solutions. Visit westernalliancebancorporation.com/bridge-bank-ho… - about 2 months 5 days ago to learn more details. pic.twitter.com/8fzjGbAL6BWe honor all of the veterans who have served our country. Thank you. #HappyVeteransDay REMINDER: In observance of Veterans Day, all Bridge Bank offices will be closed on Wednesday, November 11. pic.twitter.com/IfoGP8ecCAWe would like to welcome Jon Berry to the Bridge Bank team! Jon supports our Technology Banking group and will be based in Austin. Read our press release to learn more. #technology #banking #Austin #Texas westernalliancebancorporation.com/bridge-bank-ho… - about 2 months 2 weeks agoIn observance of Columbus Day, all Bridge Bank offices will be closed on Monday, October 12. pic.twitter.com/BtX52D5RTPWe wish everyone a safe and relaxing #LaborDay holiday weekend. REMINDER: In observance of Labor Day, all Bridge Bank offices will be closed on Monday, September pic.twitter.com/09SIuoO7XGOur Technology Banking Group recently provided MIVA, an #ecommerce #software and service provider, with a credit facility. Read our press release to learn more: westernalliancebancorporation.com/bridge-bank-ho… - about 4 months 3 weeks ago #technologybanking pic.twitter.com/OUj49RdD5VOur Life Sciences Group is pleased to announce an upsized term loan for Fennec Pharmaceuticals, a pharmaceutical company focused on the development of PEDMARK™ (a unique formulation of Sodium Thiosulfate) for the prevention of ototoxicity from cisplatin in pediatric patients. pic.twitter.com/zrH2JslA27Stay safe as you celebrate #IndependenceDay. REMINDER: In observance of Independence Day, all Bridge Bank offices will be closed on Friday, July 3.” pic.twitter.com/EFLG0KJ3u5Our Technology Banking Group is pleased to announce that they have recently provided a credit facility to aPriori Technologies, a leading provider of design for manufacturability and cost (#DFM/DTC) solutions. #computersoftware #technology #banking pic.twitter.com/PuTYcnKMttLast chance to join us for what is sure to be one of the most interesting economic discussions in the history of this long-standing event, featuring economist, Dr. Christopher Thornberg & SJ Deputy City Manager, Kim Walesh Register now! #sjsueconsummit event.on24.com/wcc/r/2316585/… - about 8 months 3 days ago pic.twitter.com/sqxWOiCvsZThis Memorial Day, we honor and remember those who lost their lives while serving our country. REMINDER: In observance of Memorial Day, our offices will be closed on Monday, May 25. pic.twitter.com/Ae97NsXsDaThere’s still time to join us for what is sure to be one of the most interesting economic discussions in the history of this long-standing event, featuring keynote speaker and noted economist, Dr. Christopher Thornberg. Register today! #sjsueconsummit event.on24.com/wcc/r/2316585/… - about 8 months 1 week ago pic.twitter.com/TWo0MiGjijJoin us for what is sure to be one of the most interesting economic discussions in the history of this long-standing event, featuring keynote speaker and noted economist, Dr. Christopher Thornberg. Register today! #sjsueconsummit event.on24.com/wcc/r/2316585/… - about 8 months 1 week ago pic.twitter.com/pdtYAF2XrDBridge Bank’s #LifeSciences Group is proud to partner with iCAD, a global #medical #technology leader providing #innovative cancer detection and therapy solutions. bridgebank.com/lifesciences - about 8 months 3 weeks ago pic.twitter.com/oPIrnYlOTjWe’re proud to sponsor Venture Summit | Virtual Connect May 5th - 7th! #startups #venturecapitalCongratulations, @ArcturusRx on your big announcement and the accomplishments you and your team are achieving as you work on a vaccine for COVID-19. #COVID19 #coronavirus #vaccines #LifeSciences ir.arcturusrx.com/news-releases/… - about 9 months 2 weeks agoOur #LifeSciences team is proud to provide Valencell, a company that transforms the science of wearable #biometrics to enable impactful #health outcomes, with the creative #bankingsolutions they needed. pic.twitter.com/XCmNJpaVuvOrganizations of any size are at risk of data breaches or other types of #cybercrime, but you can defend yourself against #fraud by knowing the dangers and implementing best practices whether you’re #WFH or the office. #fraudawareness #cybersecurity westernalliancebancorporation.com/bridge-bank-ho… - about 9 months 3 weeks ago pic.twitter.com/bzKAaLYRGPLearn more about the several key initiatives we’re focused on right now. #WeAreInThisTogether #covid19 #CoronaVirus westernalliancebancorporation.com/~/media/pdfs/b… - about 9 months 3 weeks ago pic.twitter.com/ssOjI7DGnXCybercriminals are using concerns about COVID-19 to perpetrate scams – learn how to defend your organization against these scams and best practices to keep your business safe. #fraudawareness #cybersecurity #fraud #cybercrime #fraudprevention #WFH westernalliancebancorporation.com/bridge-bank-ho… - about 9 months 4 weeks ago pic.twitter.com/kZo07GPhVvBridge Bank is a proud sponsor of #FVCC2020, Florida’s largest statewide #VentureCapital Conference. pic.twitter.com/9l2lOPceVROur #LifeSciences Group helped @alluriontech create a customized #financialsolution to support their rapid growth. Allurion Technologies is a #medicaldevice company and creator of the Elipse™ Balloon, a breakthrough product in weight-loss technology. pic.twitter.com/OS96djwOA8Our Life Sciences Group welcomes Derek Scalf. Also, find out how to meet with our entire team during #JPM2020 westernalliancebancorporation.com/bridge-bank-ho… - about 1 year 2 weeks agoWe wish you peace, joy, and prosperity in the new year! #happynewyear2020 NOTICE: All Bridge Bank offices will be closed on Wednesday, January 1st in observance of New Year's Day. pic.twitter.com/B8efpD0GlQREMINDER: In observance of Christmas Day, all Bridge Bank offices will be closed beginning at 3 pm on Christmas Eve and remain closed through Christmas Day. pic.twitter.com/TIP2gGLliHOur Southern California Capital Finance Group is proud to announce their most recent relationship with H Code Media, Inc., the leading technology platform offering a full suite of integrated marketing and media solutions for the U.S. Hispanic market. pic.twitter.com/n9NyyS7odbBridge Bank extends $4MM credit facility to H Code Media, Inc., the leading technology platform offering a full suite of integrated marketing and media solutions for the U.S. Hispanic market. westernalliancebancorporation.com/bridge-bank-ho… - about 1 year 1 month agoWe honor all of the men and women who have served. Thank you. #VeteransDay pic.twitter.com/EpGp17Q39kThankfully #technology works its magic on our electronic devices. We wish you the best of luck changing the clock on your microwave! #daylightsavings pic.twitter.com/9VVKbEyeYgOur Technology Banking Group is proud to announce their most recent deal with Zipari, a growth-stage #technologycompany that offers the first and only consumer experience platform built specifically for #healthinsurance. pic.twitter.com/ImSLIn2TW5Bridge Bank Extends $10MM Growth Capital Term Loan to Zipari prnewswire.com/news-releases/… - about 1 year 2 months agoWe wish everyone a fun and relaxing #LaborDay holiday weekend. REMINDER: In observance of Labor Day, all Bridge Bank offices will be closed on Monday, September 2nd. pic.twitter.com/OscfoI61Q4Our Life Sciences group is pleased to announce that Innovative Health has upsized their credit facility to $9MM. Innovative Health is committed to helping #healthcare realize the potential of medical device #reprocessing, enabling hospitals to provide better care through savings. pic.twitter.com/bMFiLdLyyMHappy birthday, #America! Your friends at Bridge Bank wish everyone a safe and joyous celebration. REMINDER: In observance of #IndependenceDay2019, our offices will be closed on Thursday, July 4. pic.twitter.com/twQjmCVei1