
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- to mid-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 17 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 is again #1 best-performing of the 50 largest public U.S. banks in the new S&P Global Market Intelligence listing for 2020 and ranks high on the Forbes “Best Banks in America” list year after year.
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Recent InsightsAustin's VC Ecosystem Tops $2 Billion in Value for Third Year RunningNew York Sees Second-Highest Annual Exit Value at Nearly $37 BillionCytoSorbents Delivers Technology to Calm the StormMasterClass Streams Inspiration When It's Needed MostLeaving LIBOR: 4 things to know about changing interest rate benchmarks
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TwitterOur #LifeSciences Group recently provided a term loan to Adarza Biosystems, developer of the ZIVA platform, a next-generation biomarker discovery and therapeutic research tool. pic.twitter.com/CR160SrQKbAustin’s VC ecosystem topped $2 billion in value for the third year running in 2020. Download our report, Markets to Watch: Austin, TX, to learn more and read the analysis. bit.ly/3sGCwly - 2 days #Austin #venturecapital pic.twitter.com/75Kk4auvZdJoin us for Markets to Watch: Austin, TX to discover how the Austin VC ecosystem still secured a record $2.3 billion in aggregate value thanks in no small part to the its resilient enterprise tech sector. RSVP by clicking the link: bit.ly/3rzsUaZ - 3 days pic.twitter.com/Ml7OkIKMS2Key top-level trends that defined VC deal-making in Austin last year can be found in our report, Markets to Watch: Austin, TX. The report also contains analysis of Austin’s banner year for exit value creation. Download it now: bit.ly/3sGCwly - 6 days pic.twitter.com/ZQzJ6GiCtwJoin us and PitchBook, along with special guest Silverton Partners to discover key top-level trends that have defined VC deal-making in Austin. RSVP by clicking this link bit.ly/3rzsUaZ - 7 days pic.twitter.com/M3ithiqhjjOn April 14, our panel of experts will provide analysis and key insights into Austin’s VC ecosystem, which topped $2 billion in value for the third year running. RSVP now to attend this informative event. bit.ly/3rzsUaZ - 1 week 2 days ago #Austin #venturecapital #technology #innovation pic.twitter.com/gzRc4qJELoAustin’s VC ecosystem topped $2 billion in value for the third year running in 2020. Download our report, Markets to Watch: Austin, TX, to learn more and read the analysis. bit.ly/3sGCwly - 2 weeks ago #Austin #venturecapital pic.twitter.com/ltpq7r20P8Join us for Markets to Watch: Austin, TX to discover how the Austin VC ecosystem still secured a record $2.3 billion in aggregate value thanks in no small part to the its resilient enterprise tech sector. RSVP by clicking the link: bit.ly/3rzsUaZ - 2 weeks 1 day ago pic.twitter.com/ztR0lKmyzEOur Technology Banking Group recently provided a venture debt facility and working capital line of credit to Step. To learn more, read their recent press release. step.com/press/step-sur… - about 1 month 1 week ago #bridgebank #step #fintech pic.twitter.com/MzAtQGOTu9We are pleased to announce that we have launched Bridge Bank Gateway, a new digital paying agent platform that simplifies and accelerates complex M&A transactions. Read our recent press release to learn more. westernalliancebancorporation.com/bridge-bank-ho… - about 1 month 1 week agoWe would like to welcome Alex Tsarnas to the Bridge Bank team. Alex will be leading our newly established banking group, Business Escrow Services. Read our press release to learn more. westernalliancebancorporation.com/bridge-bank-ho… - about 1 month 3 weeks ago #mergersacquistions #privateequity #bridgebankIn observance of Presidents' Day, all Bridge Bank offices will be closed on Monday, February 15. #PresidentsDay pic.twitter.com/6eMQQeNJipOur team of asset-based lending professionals is growing! Read more about it here: westernalliancebancorporation.com/bridge-bank-ho… - about 2 months 3 days ago #assetbasedlending #bridgebankOur Life Sciences Group recently provided a Term Loan to Bolder Surgical, a medical device company focused on commercializing mini-laparoscopic surgical devices aimed at improving and enabling laparoscopic procedures for pediatric patients. #lifesciences #medicaldevices pic.twitter.com/hKgRzmVhaZ“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 4 months 2 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 4 months 3 weeks 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 5 months 6 days 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 7 months 2 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 10 months 3 weeks 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 10 months 4 weeks 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 11 months 1 day 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 11 months 1 week 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 1 year 1 day 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 1 year 1 week 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 1 year 1 week 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 1 year 2 weeks ago pic.twitter.com/kZo07GPhVvBridge Bank is a proud sponsor of #FVCC2020, Florida’s largest statewide #VentureCapital Conference. pic.twitter.com/9l2lOPceVR