New Collaborative Video Tool by Jumpcut & SnappyTV

Mike Folgner has experienced considerable achievement in the creation of video editing software, previously selling Jumpcut.com to Yahoo and SnappyTV to Twitter. However, as he recently detailed in a new Medium article, he believes there remains “unresolved potential” within the video sector.

“Currently, the majority of prominent productivity software categories have transitioned from desktop applications to web-based platforms,” Folgner explained. “Despite substantial advancements in web technologies, professional video tools have not yet completed this transition. This will change with technologies like WebGL, WASM, and others. We are now capable of developing high-performance, feature-rich applications that are seamlessly integrated with the web.”

To develop comprehensive video editing software that functions directly within a web browser, Folgner has partnered with Ryan Cunningham (his co-founder at both Jumpcut and SnappyTV), Ashot Petrosian (a former lead engineer at Jumpcut), and Chris Martin. Together, they have established a new company called Tensil, which is presently accepting registrations for individuals interested in participating in the alpha testing phase of their initial product, Scenery.

Tensil has secured $3.89 million in funding, with Freestyle VC leading the investment round. Additional participation came from Precursor Ventures, Wireframe Ventures, Transmedia Capital, Uphonest Capital, Rembrandt Venture Partners, Kayvon Beykpour, Kevin Weil, Elizabeth Weil, Russ Fradin, Ross Walker, Joe Bernstein, Keith Coleman, David Pidwell, Ryan Peirce and Don Ryan.

As the product is still under development and undergoing testing, I have not yet had the opportunity to personally evaluate Scenery. However, I spoke with Folgner and Petrosian to learn more about their vision.

“If you consider what a video editor should be in today’s environment, the resulting tool will differ significantly from those created in the 1970s,” Petrosian stated.

He explained that, unlike traditional video editors that rely on a standard timeline view, Scenery will utilize a two-dimensional canvas, enabling editors to approach their work “with a mindset similar to that of a graphic designer.”

More generally, Petrosian conveyed that Scenery is designed to more accurately address contemporary video production and editing requirements, facilitating faster and more collaborative video creation for teams. He even suggested that classifying Scenery simply as an editor is an understatement—it is more accurately described as “a complete video production system.”

Folgner added that by operating within a browser environment, Scenery can empower individuals without formal editing experience to contribute to the process, mirroring the way Figma has broadened participation in the design process.

“We are very enthusiastic about reimagining video editing as a collaborative effort,” he said.