Actua (ACTA) 10-Q 12 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	7-May-15
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	ACTA
Entity Registrant Name	Actua Corp
Entity Central Index Key	1085621
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		40,592,891

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$88,280	$103,134
Restricted Cash	992	1,132
Accounts receivables, net of allowance ($1,143-2015; $790-2014)	23,796	23,134
Deferred tax asset	182	182
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	4,314	3,979
Total current assets	117,564	131,561
Fixed assets, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization ($14,974-2015; $13,757-2014)	9,121	7,947
Goodwill	264,943	264,943
Intangible, net	98,309	102,325
Equity and cost method businesses	18,146	17,672
Deferred tax asset	2,989	2,998
Other assets, net	1,953	1,652
Total assets	513,025	529,098
Current Liabilities
Current maturities of long-term debt	500	500
Accounts payable	12,044	12,595
Accrued expenses	8,488	8,492
Accrued compensation and benefits	7,211	9,241
Deferred revenue	36,392	33,238
Total current liabilities	64,635	64,066
Long-term debt	820
Deferred tax liability	266	266
Deferred revenue	857	1,256
Other liabilities	4,904	4,408
Total liabilities	71,482	69,996
Redeemable noncontrolling interest (Note 4, Consolidated Businesses)	3,486	6,221
Actua Corporation’s Stockholders’ Equity
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 10,000 shares authorized, none issued or outstanding
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 2,000,000 shares authorized, 46,601 shares (2015) and 46,405 shares (2014) issued	46	46
Treasury stock, at cost, 5,988 shares (2015) and 5,892 shares (2014)	-55,509	-53,807
Additional paid-in capital	3,557,627	3,554,900
Accumulated deficit	-3,084,006	-3,069,241
Accumulated other comprehensive income	40	40
Total Actua Corporation’s Stockholders’ Equity	418,198	431,938
Noncontrolling interests	19,859	20,943
Total equity	438,057	452,881
Total Liabilities, Redeemable noncontrolling interest and Equity	$513,025	$529,098

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, allowance	$1,143	$790
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	$14,974	$13,757
Preferred stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	2,000,000,000	2,000,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	46,601,000	46,405,000
Treasury stock, shares at cost	5,988,000	5,892,000

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_OPE

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue	$30,592	$18,422
Operating expenses
Cost of Revenue	9,732	4,899
Sales and marketing	11,236	8,531
General and administrative	15,436	10,009
Research and development	7,093	3,253
Amortization of intangibles assets	4,016	2,301
Impairment related and other	174
Total operating expenses	47,687	28,993
Operating income (loss)	-17,095	-10,571
Other income (loss), net	1,365	300
Interest income	19	86
Interest expense	-37	-511
Income (loss) before income taxes, equity loss and noncontrolling interest	-15,748	-10,696
Income tax (expense) benefit	-177	-94
Equity loss		-312	[1]
Income (loss) from continuing operations	-15,925	-11,102
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, including gain on sale, net of tax		48
Net income (loss)	-15,925	-11,054
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	-1,160	-904
Net income (loss) attributable to Actua Corporation	-14,765	-10,150
Amounts attributable to Actua Corporation:
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	-14,765	-10,198
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations		48
Net income (loss) attributable to Actua Corporation	-14,765	-10,150
Basic income (loss) per share attributable to Actua Corporation:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	($0.40)	($0.27)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations		$0
Net income (loss)	($0.40)	($0.27)
Shares used in computation of basic income (loss) per share	36,842	37,096
Diluted income (loss) per share attributable to Actua Corporation:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	($0.40)	($0.27)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations		$0
Net income (loss)	($0.40)	($0.27)
Shares used in computation of diluted income (loss) per share	36,842	37,096
Net income (loss)	-15,925	-11,054
Other comprehensive income
Comprehensive income (loss)	-15,925	-11,054
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	-1,160	-904
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Actua Corporation	($14,765)	($10,150)
[1]	Includes Acquirgy, which ceased operations in 2015, and CIML, LLC (“CIML”), which ceased operations in 2014.

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CHA

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Treasury Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Deficit	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI)	Non-controlling Interest
In Thousands
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$473,678	$43	($40,998)	$3,536,761	($3,045,685)	$40	$23,517
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013		43,333	-5,118
Equity-based compensation expense related to stock appreciation rights (SARs) and stock options	250			250
Equity-based compensation related to deferred stock units (DSUs)	146			146
Equity-based compensation related to restricted stock (RS)	3,293			3,293
Issuance of DSUs	100			100
Issuance of DSUs, shares		29
Issuance of RS, net of forfeitures and surrenders	-934	3		-937
Issuance of RS, net of forfeitures and surrenders, shares		2,683
Exercise of SARs and stock options, net of surrenders	-1,270			-1,270
Exercise of SARs and stock options, net of surrenders, shares		120
Impact of redeemable noncontrolling interest accretion	-594			-594
Impact of subsidiary equity transactions	-132			159			-291
Net income (loss)	-11,065				-10,150		-915
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2014	463,472	46	-40,998	3,537,908	-3,055,835	40	22,311
Ending balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2014		46,165	-5,118
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2014	452,881	46	-53,807	3,554,900	-3,069,241	40	20,943
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014		46,405	-5,892
Equity-based compensation expense related to stock appreciation rights (SARs) and stock options	147			147
Equity-based compensation related to deferred stock units (DSUs)	17			17
Equity-based compensation related to restricted stock (RS)	6,655			6,655
Issuance of DSUs	82			82
Issuance of DSUs, shares		5
Issuance of RS, net of forfeitures and surrenders	-3,480			-3,480
Issuance of RS, net of forfeitures and surrenders, shares		198
Exercise of SARs and stock options, net of surrenders	-9			-9
Exercise of SARs and stock options, net of surrenders, shares		2
Impact of redeemable noncontrolling interest accretion	-1,303			-1,303
Impact of subsidiary equity transactions	626			618			8
Repurchase of common stock	-1,702		-1,702
Repurchase of common stock, shares			-96
Net income (loss)	-15,857				-14,765		-1,092
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2015	$438,057	$46	($55,509)	$3,557,627	($3,084,006)	$40	$19,859
Ending balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2015		46,610	-5,988

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
OPERATING ACTIVITIES - continuing operations
Net income (loss)	($15,925)	($11,054)
(Income) loss from discontinued operations, including gain on sale, net of tax		-48
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	5,240	3,123
Equity-based compensation	7,222	3,876
Other (income) loss	-1,365	-300
Equity loss		312	[1]
Deferred tax asset	-13
Changes in operating assets and liabilities - net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable, net	-662	-3,802
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-636	22
Accounts payable	-551	42
Accrued expenses	1,063	-1,193
Accrued compensation and benefits	-2,030	-3,595
Deferred revenue	2,755	3,030
Other liabilities	496	-64
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities	-4,406	-9,651
INVESTING ACTIVITIES - continuing operations
Capital expenditures, net	-2,340	-608
Change in restricted cash	140	-164
Proceeds from sales/distributions of ownership interests	1,415	293
Ownership acquisition, net of cash acquired	-1,257
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities	-2,042	-479
FINANCING ACTIVITIES – continuing operations
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest in subsidiary equity	-3,952
Borrowings of long-term debt	820
Repayment of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	-24	-3,488
Purchase of treasury stock	-1,704
Tax withholdings related to equity-based awards	-3,494	-1,271
Other financing activities	65
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities	-8,289	-4,759
Effect of exchange rate on cash flows and cash equivalents	-117
Discontinued Operations
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities		48
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents from discontinued operations		48
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-14,854	-14,841
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	103,134	334,656
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period - continuing operations	$88,280	$319,815
[1]	Includes Acquirgy, which ceased operations in 2015, and CIML, LLC (“CIML”), which ceased operations in 2014.

The_Company

The Company	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
The Company	1. The Company
	Description of the Company
	Actua Corporation (together with its subsidiaries, “Actua”) was formed on March 4, 1996 and is a multi-vertical cloud technology company with offerings that create unique and compelling value for our customers and provide transformative efficiency to vertical markets worldwide. As of March 31, 2015, Actua owned four businesses that address the needs of a specific vertical market or industry: Bolt Solutions Inc. (“Bolt”), Folio Dynamics Holdings Inc. (“FolioDynamix”), GovDelivery Holdings, Inc. (“GovDelivery”) and MSDSonline Holdings, Inc. (“MSDSonline”). Please refer to Item 1 – “Business” in Actua’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 for a more detailed description of Actua and its businesses.
	Basis of Presentation
	The Consolidated Financial Statements contained herein (the “Consolidated Financial Statements”) include the accounts of Actua Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, wholly-controlled subsidiaries and majority-owned subsidiaries.
	Actua’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 include the financial position of the following majority-owned subsidiaries:
	As of March 31, 2015	As of December 31, 2014
	Bolt	Bolt
	FolioDynamix	FolioDynamix
	GovDelivery	GovDelivery
	MSDSonline	MSDSonline
	Actua’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) (its “Consolidated Statements of Operations”) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 included the results of the following majority-owned subsidiaries:
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015	2014
	Bolt	Bolt
	FolioDynamix (See Note 4, Consolidated Businesses)	GovDelivery
	GovDelivery	MSDSonline
	MSDSonline

Significant_Accounting_Policie

Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies	2. Significant Accounting Policies
	Principles of Accounting for Ownership Interests
	The various interests that Actua acquires in its businesses are accounted for under one of three methods: the consolidation method, the equity method and the cost method. The applicable accounting method is generally determined based on Actua’s voting interest in a company.
	Consolidation Method. Businesses in which (1) Actua directly or indirectly owns more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities, and (2) other stockholders do not possess the right to affect significant management decisions are generally accounted for under the consolidation method of accounting. Participation of other stockholders in the net assets and in the earnings or losses of a consolidated subsidiary is reflected in the line items “Noncontrolling interests” in Actua’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and “Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest” in Actua’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. Noncontrolling interest adjusts Actua’s consolidated results of operations to reflect only Actua’s share of the earnings or losses of the consolidated subsidiary.
	Any changes in Actua’s ownership interest in a consolidated subsidiary, through additional equity issuances (whether to Actua or otherwise) by the consolidated subsidiary or through Actua acquiring equity interests from existing shareholders, following which Actua maintains control is recognized as an equity transaction, with appropriate adjustments to both Actua’s additional paid-in capital and the corresponding noncontrolling interests. The difference between the carrying amount of Actua’s ownership interest in the company and the underlying net book value of the company after the issuance of stock by the company is reflected as an equity transaction in Actua’s Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity.
	An increase in Actua’s ownership interest in a business accounted for under the equity or cost method of accounting in which Actua obtains a controlling financial interest is accounted for as a step acquisition, with an allocation of the purchase price to the fair value of the net assets acquired. In addition, Actua remeasures its previously held ownership interest in a business that was previously not consolidated at the acquisition date fair value; any gain or loss resulting from such a remeasurement is recognized in Actua’s Consolidated Statements of Operations at the time of the remeasurement. Actua begins to include the financial position and operating results of the newly-consolidated subsidiary in its Consolidated Financial Statements from the date Actua obtains the controlling financial interest in that subsidiary. If control is lost, any retained interest is measured at fair value, and a gain or loss is recognized in Actua’s Consolidated Statements of Operations at that time. In addition, to the extent Actua maintains a smaller equity ownership, the accounting method used for that business is adjusted to the equity or cost method of accounting, as appropriate, for subsequent periods.
	Equity Method. Businesses that are not consolidated, but over which Actua exercises significant influence, are accounted for under the equity method of accounting and are referred to in Note 5, “Equity and Cost Method Businesses.” The determination as to whether or not Actua exercises significant influence with respect to a company depends on an evaluation of several factors, including, among others, representation on the company’s board of directors and equity ownership level, which is generally between a 20% and a 50% interest in the voting securities of an equity method business, as well as voting rights associated with Actua’s holdings in common stock, preferred stock and other convertible instruments in that company. Actua’s share of the earnings and/or losses of the company, as well as any adjustments resulting from prior period finalizations of equity income/losses, are reflected in the line item “Equity loss” in Actua’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of March 31, 2015, Actua does not have any businesses accounted for under the equity method of accounting.
	Cost Method. Businesses not accounted for under either the consolidation method or equity method of accounting are accounted for under the cost method of accounting and are referred to in Note 5, “Equity and Cost Method Businesses.” Actua’s share of the earnings and/or losses of cost method businesses is not included in Actua’s Consolidated Statement of Operations. However, impairment charges related to cost method businesses are recognized in Actua’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. If circumstances suggest that the value of a cost method business with respect to which an impairment charge has been made has subsequently recovered, that recovery is not recorded. The carrying values of Actua’s cost method businesses are reflected in the line item “Equity and cost method businesses” in Actua’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	Actua initially records its carrying value in businesses accounted for under the cost method at cost, unless the equity securities of a cost method business have readily determinable fair values based on quoted market prices, in which case the interests are valued at fair value and are classified as marketable securities or some other classification in accordance with guidance for ownership interests in debt and equity securities.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. Those estimates include evaluation of Actua’s convertible debt and equity holdings in businesses, holdings in marketable securities, asset impairment, revenue recognition, income taxes and commitments and contingencies. Those estimates and assumptions are based on management’s best judgments. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, such as the current economic environment, that management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances and adjusts its estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate that it is necessary or appropriate to do so. It is reasonably possible that Actua’s accounting estimates with respect to the ultimate recoverability of Actua’s ownership interests in convertible debt and equity holdings, goodwill and the useful lives of intangible assets could change in the near term and that the effect of such changes on Actua’s consolidated financial statements could be material. Management believes the recorded amounts of goodwill, intangible assets, equity method businesses and cost method businesses were not impaired as of March 31, 2015.
	Goodwill, Intangible Assets, Equity Method Businesses and Cost Method Businesses
	Actua evaluates its carrying value in equity method businesses and cost method businesses continuously to determine whether an other-than-temporary decline in the fair value of any such business exists and should be recognized. In order to make that determination, Actua considers each such business’ achievement of its business plan objectives and milestones, the fair value of its ownership interest in each such business (which, in the case of any company listed on a public stock exchange, is the quoted stock price of the relevant ownership interest), the financial condition and prospects of each such business, and other relevant factors. The business plan objectives and milestones Actua considers include, among others, those related to financial performance, such as achievement of planned financial results or completion of capital raising activities, and those that are not primarily financial in nature, such as obtaining key business partnerships or the hiring of key employees. Impairment charges are determined by comparing Actua’s carrying value of a business with the business’ estimated fair value. Fair value is determined by using a combination of estimating the cash flows related to the relevant business, including estimated proceeds on disposition, and an analysis of market price multiples of companies engaged in lines of business similar to the business being evaluated. Actua concluded that the carrying value of its equity method businesses and cost method businesses was not impaired as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
	Actua tests goodwill for impairment annually during the fourth quarter of each year, or more frequently as conditions warrant, and tests intangible assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Actua concluded that its goodwill and intangible assets were not impaired as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
	Revenue Recognition
	Actua recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery of the service has occurred, no significant obligations with regard to implementation remain, the fee is fixed or determinable and collectability is probable.  The following paragraphs provide more specific details regarding the manner in which each of our businesses recognizes revenue.
	Bolt generates revenue from (1) SaaS software licenses, (2) maintenance and support services, (3) professional service fees, (4) insurance commissions and (5) subscription fees.
	Bolt enters to certain multiple deliverable arrangements primarily related to its software licenses (which are delivered through a cloud-based model), professional services necessary for the functionality of the software and maintenance and support services.  Bolt evaluates each deliverable in a multiple deliverable arrangement to determine whether that deliverable has standalone value. A delivered element has standalone value if the element has value to a customer on a standalone basis (supported by whether Bolt routinely provides these elements independent of other products and/or services, or a third-party vendor could provide a similar service to the customer). Additionally, Bolt considers whether there is a customer-negotiated refund or return right for the delivered element. If these criteria are not met, the deliverable is combined with the undelivered elements and the allocation of the arrangement consideration and revenue recognition are determined for the combined and recognized over the applicable contract term.
	For Bolt’s professional services or other deliverables that are determined to have standalone value, Bolt allocates the total revenue to be earned under the arrangement among the various elements based on a selling price hierarchy using the relative selling price method. The selling price for a deliverable is based on its vendor specific objective evidence (VSOE), if available, third party evidence (TPE), if VSOE is not available, or the best estimated selling price (ESP), if neither VSOE nor TPE is available. VSOE of selling price is based on the normal pricing and discounting practices for those products and services when sold separately. TPE of selling price is determined by evaluating largely similar and interchangeable competitor products or services in standalone sales to similarly situated customers. ESP is established considering factors such as margin objectives, discounts from list prices, market conditions, and competition.  ESP represents the price at which the company would transact for the deliverable if it were sold by the company regularly on a standalone basis.
	Generally, under Bolt’s cloud-based software licenses, professional fees essential for the functionality of the software and related maintenance and support services do not have standalone value to Bolts customers and are therefore combined, and revenue is recognized ratably over the applicable contract term.  For deliverables (typically professional service fees), which have been determined to have standalone value, Bolt has historically concluded that neither VSOE nor TPE can be established and, as such, it has relied on ESP to allocate revenue to each element. Those fees are then recognized as the services are performed and/or the professional service fees have been delivered.
	Bolt’s commissions on the premiums from sales of insurance policies are recognized when Bolt has sufficient information to determine (1) the amount that it is owed and (2) that it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to Bolt. Finally, Bolt recognizes subscription fee revenue over the subscription period, which is generally one month.
	Bolt has typically represented a small amount of Actua’s historical deferred revenue balances.  Bolt’s contracts are generally billed in annual, quarterly or monthly installments and contain cancelation clauses that usually have significant penalties associated with the cancellation.  Historically, Bolt has experienced very low levels of cancelations.
	FolioDynamix generates revenues primarily in the form of (1) recurring software license and subscription fees (2) maintenance and support services, (3) professional services fees from customization and integration services related to its software, (4) professional services fees for customized investment program management and consulting, and (5) investment advisory services.  The initial subscription arrangement term is typically between three and five years.
	FolioDynamix’s platform revenue from term software license arrangements is recognized on a subscription basis over the customer contract license term of use.  Revenue from annual maintenance is deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis over the period that the service is provided.  Revenue related to platform implementation professional services is deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis over the contract term.  A small portion of revenue is derived from multiple element contracts for which FolioDynamix cannot separate the license element from the service elements; that revenue is deferred until all elements of the arrangement have been delivered. Revenue under arrangements with multiple elements is allocated under the residual method.  Under the residual method, revenue is allocated first to the undelivered elements based on their VSOE of fair value and the residual amount is applied to the delivered elements.
	Certain revenues earned by FolioDynamix for advisory services require judgment to determine if revenue should be recorded gross as, a principal, or net of related costs, as an agent. In general, these revenues are recognized on a net basis if FolioDynamix does not have control over selecting vendors and pricing, and when the Company is acting as an agent of the supplier.  Revenues from professional services are deemed to not have standalone value and, therefore, are recognized ratably over the contract term.
	FolioDynamix represents a small amount of Actua’s deferred revenue balance at March 31, 2015.  FolioDynamix’s contracts are billed in annual, quarterly or monthly installments and are primarily non-cancellable.
	GovDelivery revenue consists of (1) nonrefundable setup fees and (2) SaaS monthly subscription fees. As the setup fees do not have standalone value to the customer, they are combined with subscription fees and are recognized in revenue over the initial contract term.  Costs related to performing setup services are expensed as incurred.
	GovDelivery has typically represented a significant portion of Actua’s historical deferred revenue balances.  GovDelivery’s contracts are generally billed in annual, quarterly, or monthly installments and contain cancelation clauses by which the customer can cancel the contract with 30 days written notice.  In instances of cancelation, the pro rata balance of the agreement would be refundable.  Historically, GovDelivery has experienced very low levels of cancelations.
	MSDSonline derives revenue from two sources: (1) SaaS subscription fees and (2) professional services fees. The vast majority of MSDSonline’s revenue is derived from subscription fees from customers accessing MSDSonline’s database and web-based tools; such revenue is recognized ratably over the applicable contract term, beginning on the contract implementation date. MSDSonline also generates professional services fees from (1) training, (2) authoring of material safety data sheets and (3) compiling of customers’ online libraries of material safety data sheet documents and indexing those documents. Those professional services are generally determined to have standalone value, and the revenue derived from those fees is recognized on a proportional performance basis over the applicable project’s timeline.
	MSDSonline has typically represented the majority of Actua’s historical deferred revenue balances.  MSDSonline’s contracts are generally billed annually and are non-cancellable.
	At each of Actua’s businesses, fees associated with professional services for new customers that are not determined to have standalone value are deferred and recognized over the contract term.  Actua’s businesses recognize those fees for professional services paid by new customers, which primarily relate to implementation services, over the initial terms of the contracts because, at the time contracts with new customers are consummated, there is no history with such customers and it cannot be determined whether the relationship with such customers will extend beyond the terms of the initial contracts.
	Equity-Based Compensation
	Actua recognizes equity-based compensation expense in the Consolidated Financial Statements for all share options and other equity-based arrangements that are expected to vest. Equity-based compensation expense is measured at the date of grant, based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized using the straight-line method over the employee’s requisite service period. Equity-based awards with vesting conditions other than service are recognized based on the probability that those conditions will be achieved.
	Net Income (Loss) Per Share
	Basic net income (loss) per share (EPS) is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during a given period. Diluted EPS includes shares, unless anti-dilutive, that would be issued in connection with the exercise of stock options and conversion of other convertible securities and is adjusted, if applicable, for the effect on net income (loss) of such transactions. See Note 12, “Net Income (Loss) per Share.”
	Escrow Information
	When an interest in one of Actua’s businesses is sold, a portion of the proceeds may be held in escrow primarily to satisfy purchase price adjustments and/or indemnity claims. Actua records gains on escrowed proceeds at the time Actua is entitled to receive those proceeds from escrow, the amount is fixed or determinable and realization is assured. As of March 31, 2015, $4.0 million related to Actua’s potential proceeds from sales of former businesses remained in escrow to satisfy potential or unresolved indemnification claims. Those outstanding escrow amounts are scheduled to be released in 2016, subject to pending and potential indemnity claims pursuant to the terms of the applicable acquisition agreements.
	Concentration of Customer Base and Credit Risk
	For the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, none of the customers of Actua’s consolidated businesses represented more than 10% of Actua’s consolidated revenue.
	Commitments and Contingencies
	From time to time, Actua and its businesses are involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. Actua does not expect any liability with respect to any legal claims or actions, either individually or in the aggregate, that would materially affect its consolidated financial position or cash flows.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In June 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued guidance regarding share-based compensation. The new guidance clarified that share-based compensation performance targets that could be achieved after the requisite service period should be treated as a performance condition that affects vesting rather than a condition that affects the grant-date fair value of the award. This guidance will be effective for Actua beginning on January 1, 2016. Actua does not expect this guidance to have a significant impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued revenue recognition guidance that provides a single, comprehensive revenue recognition model for all contracts with customers. Under the new guidance, an entity will recognize revenue based on amounts the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for the transfer of goods or services. The new guidance also includes enhanced disclosure requirements. This guidance, which will be applied either retrospectively or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption, will be effective for Actua beginning on January 1, 2017. Actua is in the process of evaluating the adoption alternatives and impact that this guidance will have on the Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued accounting guidance on reporting discontinued operations. The new guidance changes the criteria for determining the disposals that qualify as discontinued operations and expands related disclosure requirements. Under the new guidance, a disposal is required to be reported as discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that will have a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. This guidance, which is applied prospectively, became effective for Actua for new disposals and disposal groups classified as held for sale beginning on January 1, 2015. The adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	3. Goodwill and Intangible Assets
	Goodwill
	The following table summarizes the activity related to Actua’s goodwill (in thousands):
		Gross Carrying				Accumulated				Net Carrying
		Amount				Impairment				Amount
						Losses
	Goodwill as of December 31, 2014	$	265,247			$	(304	)		$	264,943
	Change in goodwill during the three months ended March 31, 2015		-				-				-
	Goodwill as of March 31, 2015	$	265,247			$	(304	)		$	264,943
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, Actua revised its initial allocation of purchase price related to its 2014 acquisition of FolioDynamix. Accordingly, based on those revisions, Actua retrospectively increased the value of goodwill as of December 31, 2014, which was offset by an increase in financial liabilities. The preliminary purchase price allocation related to that transaction is detailed in Note 4, “Consolidated Businesses.” As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, all of Actua’s goodwill was allocated to its vertical cloud segment.
	Intangible Assets
	The following table summarizes Actua’s intangible assets from continuing operations (in thousands):
					As of March 31, 2015
					Gross Carrying				Accumulated			Net Carrying
	Intangible Assets		Useful Life		Amount				Amortization			Amount
	Customer relationships		1-11 years		$	74,948			$	(16,889	)	$	58,059
	Trademarks/trade names		3-11 years			24,543				(5,177	)		19,366
	Technology		5-10 years			25,223				(5,198	)		20,025
	Non-compete agreements		2-5 years			3,680				(3,521	)		159
						128,394				(30,785	)		97,609
	Other intellectual property (1)		Indefinite			700				-			700
					$	129,094			$	(30,785	)	$	98,309
					As of December 31, 2014
					Gross Carrying				Accumulated			Net Carrying
	Intangible Assets		Useful Life		Amount				Amortization			Amount
	Customer relationships		1-11 years		$	74,948			$	(14,817	)	$	60,131
	Trademarks/trade names		3-11 years			24,543				(4,322	)		20,221
	Technology		5-10 years			25,223				(4,263	)		20,960
	Non-compete agreements		2-5 years			3,680				(3,367	)		313
						128,394				(26,769	)		101,625
	Other intellectual property (1)		Indefinite		700					-		700
					$	129,094			$	(26,769	)	$	102,325
	(1) One of the assets included in this line item is no longer considered to have an indefinite life following Actua’s name change on September 2, 2014. However, Actua estimated that the residual value of this asset approximated its carrying value of $0.4 million as of both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
	Amortization expense for intangible assets during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $4.0 million and $2.3 million, respectively.
	Remaining estimated amortization expense for the respective years set forth below is as follows (in thousands):
	2015 (remaining nine months)		$	11,123
	2016			13,813
	2017			13,389
	2018			12,130
	2019			11,333
	Thereafter			35,821
	Remaining amortization expense		$	97,609

Consolidated_Businesses

Consolidated Businesses	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Consolidated Businesses	4. Consolidated Businesses
	Folio Dynamix Acquisition
	On November 3, 2014, Actua acquired all of the issued and outstanding stock of FolioDynamix for approximately $205.8 million (which included $0.7 million as a working capital adjustment that occurred in the first quarter of 2015) in cash and $4.1 million of equity value related to rolled stock options.  The $4.1 million fair value of the rolled stock options was determined using a Black-Scholes model that, given the relatively short expected term applied to the model, essentially approximated the intrinsic value of these awards.  Actua allocated the purchase price to the acquired tangible and identifiable intangible assets and liabilities based upon their respective fair values at the date of acquisition. FolioDymanix’s results are included in our consolidated financial statements beginning on November 1, 2014 (as the results of FolioDynamix between November 1, 2014 and November 3, 2014 were deemed insignificant).
	FolioDynamix offers wealth management service providers and financial advisors a comprehensive, secure, cloud-based wealth management technology platform and advisory solutions for managing the full wealth management lifecycle across all types of investment programs. FolioDynamix provides its customers with leading-edge technology to attract and retain the best advisors, enable more effective business process management, accelerate client acquisition and gain visibility across all assets under management (AUM).
	FolioDynamix’s customers, which include a variety of financial services organizations, such as brokerage firms, banks (trust and retail), large registered investment advisors (RIAs) and RIA networks and other fee-based managed account providers, access specified bundles of platform applications through the cloud on a periodic (usually multi-year) subscription basis; FolioDynamix sells the periodic subscriptions directly to its customers through its internal sales team.
	The following table summarizes the preliminary allocation of the consideration paid for FolioDynamix and the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed.
			(in thousands)
	Consideration:
	Cash consideration (including $0.7 million of working capital adjustment paid in 2015)		$	201,699
	Fair value of stock options of FolioDynamix			4,125
			$	205,824
	Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
	Financial assets		$	9,324
	Property, plant and equipment			1,581
	Customer lists (10 year life)			23,300
	Trademarks, trade names and domain names (5 year life)			8,100
	Technology (8 year life)			15,200
	Financial liabilities			(14,397	)
	Contingent consideration			(1,870	)
	Deferred tax liability			(1,585	)
	Total identifiable net assets			39,653
	Goodwill			166,171
			$	205,824
	As a result of this transaction, Actua recognized $166.2 million of goodwill, which is not deductible for tax purposes.  No specific synergies exist between FolioDynamix and Actua’s other businesses; however, Actua personnel perform various tasks for FolioDynamix, such as certain marketing, legal and finance functions, that, at times, generate cost savings at the company. Actua incurred $1.4 million in transaction costs associated with the FolioDynamix acquisition that were recorded as general and administrative expense during 2014.  The fair value adjustment to the historical deferred revenue reduced deferred revenue by approximately $6.0 million.  FolioDynamix contributed $3.8 million of revenue and $1.1 million of net income to Actua’s 2014 consolidated results.  See Subsection, “Pro forma information” of this Note 4 for further pro forma information on revenue, net income (loss) and net income (loss) per share.
	Other Acquisitions
	On August 8, 2014, MSDSonline acquired Knowledge Management Innovations, LTD (“KMI”) for $11.5 million, subject to working capital adjustments, including a contingent earn-out payment of up to $2.0 million tied to certain performance measures that may become due in 2016. MSDSonline has estimated the allocation of the purchase price to the acquired tangible and identifiable intangible assets and liabilities based upon their provisional respective fair values at the date of acquisition.
	On October 1, 2014, Bolt acquired certain assets of Ludwig-Walpole Company Inc. (“Ludwig”) for $2.1 million in cash. The acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method.  Bolt allocated the purchase price provisionally to the acquired tangible and identifiable intangible assets and liabilities based upon their respective fair values as of the date of acquisition. Bolt will complete its purchase price allocation of Ludwig by September 30, 2015.
	On December 17, 2014, GovDelivery acquired NuCivic for $5.1 million of consideration, consisting of $2.0 million in cash payments (including a $0.6 million deferred payment) and $3.1 million of GovDelivery stock. The acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method. GovDelivery has allocated the purchase price to the acquired tangible and identifiable intangible assets and liabilities based upon their respective fair values as of the date of acquisition.
	The allocations of the KMI, Ludwig and NuCivic purchase prices to identified intangible assets and tangible assets and liabilities are as follows (in thousands):
			KMI			Ludwig			NuCivic
	Net assets acquired:
	Goodwill		$	6,735		$	314		$	1,257
	Customer lists (5-11 year life)			2,900			2,658			202
	Trademarks, trade names and domain names (5-11 year life)			300			-			330
	Technology (5 year life)			400			-			-
	Non-compete agreement (5 year life)			-			164			14
	Other net assets (liabilities)			1,165			-			197
			$	11,500		$	3,136		$	2,000
	Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest
	Certain GovDelivery stockholders have the ability to require GovDelivery to redeem their shares in 2016 based on a fair value determination.  Additionally, certain MSDSonline stockholders have the ability to require MSDSonline to redeem their shares in 2016 and 2017 based on a fair value determination. Because those redemptions are outside the control of the respective businesses, Actua has classified this noncontrolling interest outside of equity and will accrete to its estimated redemption value with an offset to additional paid-in capital. This noncontrolling interest is classified as “Redeemable noncontrolling interest” in Actua’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	The following is a reconciliation of the activity related to Actua’s redeemable noncontrolling interest during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	3,442
	Redeemable noncontrolling interest portion of subsidiary net income/(loss)		11
	Accretion to estimated redemption value		594
	Impact of subsidiary equity transactions		7
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	4,054
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	6,221
	Redeemable noncontrolling interest portion of subsidiary net income/(loss)		(68	)
	Accretion to estimated redemption value		1,303
	Equity transfer among owners		(3,339	)
	Impact of subsidiary equity transactions		(631	)
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	3,486
	Other Consolidated Businesses Transactions
	From time to time, Actua acquires additional equity ownership interests in its consolidated businesses. Purchasing equity ownership interests from a consolidated business’ existing shareholders results in an increase in Actua’s controlling interest in that business and a corresponding decrease in the noncontrolling interest ownership. Those transactions are accounted for as decreases to “Noncontrolling interests” and decreases to “Additional paid-in capital” in Actua’s Consolidated Balance Sheets for the relevant periods. Actua may also acquire additional equity ownership interests in its consolidated businesses, either from existing holders or as a result of share issuances by one or more of those businesses, and Actua’s equity ownership interests may be diluted by any such share issuances to other parties. An issuance of equity securities by a consolidated business that results in a decrease in Actua’s equity ownership interests is accounted for in accordance with the policy for “Principles of Accounting for Ownership Interests” described in Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies.” Other changes to Actua’s equity ownership interests in its consolidated businesses, as well as equity-based compensation award activity at those businesses, also result in adjustments to “Additional paid-in capital” and “Noncontrolling interests” in Actua’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The impact of any equity-related transactions at Actua’s consolidated businesses is included in the line item “Impact of subsidiary equity transactions” in Actua’s Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity. The impact of these changes to the noncontrolling interest are also included in the line item “Impact of subsidiary equity transactions” in Actua’s Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the relevant period. These amounts primarily relate to Actua’s acquisition of additional equity ownership interests in our consolidated businesses from noncontrolling interests.
	Pro Forma Information
	The information in the following table represents the revenue, net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Actua Corporation and the net income (loss) from continuing operations per diluted share attributable to Actua Corporation for the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, had Actua owned FolioDynamix, Bolt owned Ludwig, GovDelivery owned NuCivic and MSDSonline owned KMI during that entire period. The information for the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 is shown for comparative purposes only.
			Three Months Ended March 31,
			2015			2014
			(in thousands, except per share data)
	Revenue		$	30.6		$	26.6
	Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Actua		$	(14.8	)	$	(11.8	)
	Corporation
	Net income (loss) from continuing operations per diluted share		$	(0.40	)	$	(0.32	)
	attributable to Actua Corporation

Equity_and_Cost_Method_Busines

Equity and Cost Method Businesses	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity Method Investments And Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Equity and Cost Method Businesses	5. Equity and Cost Method Businesses
	Equity Method Businesses
	The following unaudited summarized financial information relates to, and has been compiled from the financial statements of, Actua’s businesses accounted for under the equity method of accounting as of December 31, 2014. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, Actua received a loan repayment from Acquirgy, Inc. (“Acquirgy”) in the amount of $0.4 million. Acquirgy is in the process of winding down its operations, and Actua does not expect to receive any proceeds in connection with the wind-down.
	Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
		December 31,
		2014 (1)
		(in thousands)
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	4,487
	Other current assets		966
	Non-current assets		51
	Total assets	$	5,504
	Current liabilities (including current portion of long-term debt)	$	9,411
	Non-current liabilities		57
	Long-term debt		-
	Stockholders' deficit		(3,964	)
	Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	$	5,504
	Total carrying value	$	-
	-1	Includes (Actua voting ownership): Acquirgy (25%).
	Results of Operations (Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended
		March 31, 2014 (1)
		(in thousands)
	Revenue	$	2,554
	Net income (loss)	$	(441	)
	Equity income (loss) excluding impairments and
	amortization of intangible assets	$	(264	)
	Amortization of intangible assets		(48	)
	Total equity income (loss)	$	(312	)
	(1)	Includes Acquirgy, which ceased operations in 2015, and CIML, LLC (“CIML”), which ceased operations in 2014.
	Cost Method Businesses
	Actua’s carrying value of its holdings in cost method businesses was $18.1 million and $17.7 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Those amounts are reflected in the line item “Equity and cost method businesses” in Actua’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as of the relevant dates.
	Actua owns approximately 9% of Anthem Ventures Fund, L.P. (formerly eColony, Inc.) and Anthem Ventures Annex Fund, L.P. (collectively, “Anthem”), which invest in technology companies. Actua acquired its interest in Anthem in 2000 and currently has no carrying value in Anthem. Accordingly, the receipt of distributions from Anthem by Actua would result in a gain at the time Actua receives those distributions.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, Actua received a distribution from Anthem that resulted in proceeds of $1.0 million, and recorded a gain in that amount that is reflected in the line item, “Other income (loss), net” in Actua’s Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015.
	Impairments
	Actua performs ongoing business reviews of its equity and cost method businesses to determine whether Actua’s carrying value in those businesses is impaired. Actua determined its carrying value in its equity and cost method businesses was not impaired during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, and the year ended December 31, 2014.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	6. Fair Value Measurements
	Fair value is the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value, which are as follows:
	Level 1 – Observable inputs, such as quoted market prices for identical assets and liabilities in active public markets.
	Level 2 – Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices based on quoted prices in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions, or valuations in which all significant inputs are observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
	Level 3 – Unobservable inputs to the valuation techniques that are significant to the fair value of the asset or liability.
	Assets and liabilities are measured at fair value based on one or more of the following three valuation techniques:
	Market Approach – Fair value is determined based on prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets and liabilities.
	Income Approach – Fair value is determined by converting relevant future amounts to a single present amount based on market expectations (including present value techniques and option pricing models).
	Cost Approach – Fair value represents the amount that currently would be required to replace the service capacity of the relevant asset (often referred to as replacement cost).
	The fair value hierarchy of Actua’s financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was as follows (in thousands):
					Valuation
		Asset (liability) at			Technique
		31-Mar-15			(Approach)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Cash equivalents (money market accounts)	$	71,975		Market	$	71,975	$	-	$	-
	Acquisition contingent consideration obligations		(3,260	)	Income		-		-		(3,260	)
		$	68,715			$	71,975	$	-	$	(3,260	)
					Valuation
		Asset (liability) at			Technique
		31-Dec-14			(Approach)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Cash equivalents (money market accounts)	$	77,935		Market	$	77,935	$	-	$	-
	Acquisition contingent consideration obligations		(3,088	)	Income		-		-		(3,088	)
		$	74,847			$	77,935	$	-	$	(3,088	)
	As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, Actua accounts for three contingent consideration obligations. One, a contingent earn-out payment related to MSDSonline’s acquisition of KMI, was a component of MSDSonline’s purchase price for KMI. The remaining two contingent obligations relate to acquisitions made by FolioDynamix prior to Actua’s acquisition of FolioDynamix. The three obligations were fair valued on the respective dates of acquisition using Monte Carlo simulation models that yielded a value of $3.1 million of aggregate obligations. Although the obligations in the aggregate could range from $1.5 million to $5.5 million, Actua has determined, through the update of the models, Actua’s calculations and/or qualitative analysis, that there has been little change in the value through March 31, 2015. These obligations are valued at $3.3 million as of March 31, 2015. The contingent consideration obligations related to FolioDynamix’s acquisitions become due, if at all, in 2015 and, accordingly, are classified as short-term liabilities on Actua’s Consolidated Balance Sheets; the remaining contingent consideration obligation related to MSDSonline’s acquisition of KMI will become due, if at all, in 2016 and has been classified as a long-term on Actua’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Debt

Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	7. Debt
	On August 9, 2013, Bolt entered into certain loan agreements with Neurone II Investments G.P. Ltd. (“Neurone”). Those agreements provide for a term loan of $0.5 million that is subject to an interest rate of 8.0% and matured on August 9, 2014 with options that extended the maturity date to August 9, 2015. The loan has a fair value of $0.5 million as of both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. As of both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, $0.5 million is outstanding under the term loan, and is included in the line item “Current maturities of long-term debt” in Actua’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
	On January 1, 2015, Bolt entered into certain additional loan agreements with Neurone that provide for a term loan of $0.8 million, subject to an interest rate of 8.0% and maturing on May 1, 2016. The loan, which is convertible into shares of Bolt’s preferred stock, has a fair value of $0.8 million as of March 31, 2015.  As of March 31, 2015, $0.8 million is outstanding under the term loan, and is included in the line item “Long-term debt” in Actua’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

Treasury_Stock

Treasury Stock	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Treasury Stock	8. Treasury Stock
	Actua has been authorized, pursuant to a share repurchase program, to repurchase, from time to time, shares of Common Stock in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions or pursuant to trading plans meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act. The program was adopted in 2008 and was most recently expanded in 2013 to allow for the repurchase of up to $150.0 million of shares of our Common Stock. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, Actua repurchased 96,277 shares of its Common Stock at an average stock price of $17.66 per share. Actua did not repurchase any shares of its Common Stock during the three months ended March 31, 2014. Since commencement of the program, Actua has repurchased a total of 5,987,849 shares of Common Stock at an average purchase price of $9.23 per share. As of the date of this Report, Actua may repurchase an additional $94.7 million of its Common Stock under the program. All repurchases are reflected in the line item “Treasury stock, at cost” as a reduction of Stockholders’ Equity in Actua’s Consolidated Balance Sheets in the relevant periods.

EquityBased_Compensation

Equity-Based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Equity-Based Compensation	9. Equity-Based Compensation
	Equity-based compensation awards may be granted to Actua employees, directors and consultants under Actua’s 2005 Omnibus Equity Compensation Plan, as such has been amended from time to time (the “Plan”). Generally, the awards vest over a period from one to four years and expire eight to ten years after the grant date. Most businesses in which Actua holds equity ownership interests also maintain their own equity incentive compensation plans.
	Actua may issue the following types of equity-based compensation to its employees and non-employee directors: (1) restricted stock and restricted stock units (often subject to performance-based or market-based conditions), (2) stock appreciation rights (SARs), (3) stock options, and (4) deferred stock units (DSUs). Actua’s grants of equity-based compensation are approved by the Compensation Committee of its Board of Directors. The following table summarizes the equity-based compensation recognized in the respective periods; that equity-based compensation is included in operating expenses, primarily in the line item “General and administrative” in Actua’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	Equity-based compensation by expense line item on Actua’s Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands):
			Three Months Ended March 31,
			2015				2014
	Cost of revenue		$	26			$	19
	Sales and marketing			58				41
	General and administrative			7,093				3,788
	Research and development			45				28
	Total Equity-Based Compensation		$	7,222			$	3,876
	Equity-based compensation by equity award type (in thousands, except weighted average years):
			Three Months Ended March 31,							Unrecognized Equity-Based Compensation as of			Weighted Average Years Remaining of Equity-Based Compensation as of
			2015				2014			Mar. 31, 2015			Mar. 31, 2015
	Restricted Stock		$	6,655			$	3,293		$	37,632			2.09
	SARs			147				250			386			1.32
	DSUs			17				146			-			-
				6,819				3,689			38,018
	Equity-Based Compensation for Consolidated Businesses			403				187			4,687			3.06
	Total Equity-Based Compensation		$	7,222			$	3,876		$	42,705
	Restricted Stock
	Actua periodically issues shares of restricted stock to its employees, employees of its consolidated businesses and non-management directors. Recipients of restricted stock do not pay cash consideration for the shares and have the right to vote all shares subject to the grant. Any cash dividends paid by Actua in respect of unvested restricted stock would be paid to the holders of outstanding restricted stock at the same time as cash dividends are paid to common stockholders. Any dividends paid by Actua in stock or other property in respect of unvested restricted stock would be paid to the holders of outstanding unvested restricted stock subject to the same terms and conditions related to vesting, forfeiture and non-transferability as the underlying stock.
	Share activity with respect to restricted stock awards for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015							2014
		Number of Shares				Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value			Number of Shares			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
	Granted		441,256			$	16.21			3,095,948		$	17.21
	Vested		644,247			$	19.7			175,771		$	12.68
	Forfeited		43,660			$	17.85			366,666		$	9.96
	There were 3,508,624 shares and 3,755,275 shares of restricted stock issued and unvested as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
	As of March 31, 2015, issued and unvested shares of restricted stock granted to Actua’s employees vest as follows:
	Number of Shares Unvested				Vesting Conditions
		1,714,366			Subject to certain market conditions, as discussed below
		503,315			Subject to certain performance conditions, as discussed below
		1,157,035			25% each year for four years on the anniversary of the grant date
		91,666			50% in each of May 2015 and November 2015
		24,042			One-third in each of September 2015, March 2016 and September 2016
		18,200			100% in July 2015 (granted to Actua's Board of Directors, see subsection below)
		3,508,624
	Restricted Stock – Awards with Market Conditions
	In recent years, Actua has issued restricted stock awards with market-based vesting conditions to its employees and certain employees of its consolidated businesses, the vesting of which is contingent upon specified price targets of Actua’s Common Stock. The equity-based compensation expense for awards with market-based vesting conditions is recorded based on the fair value of the awards, which is determined using a Monte Carlo simulation model at the time the award is granted. For the majority of the market-based awards that are outstanding as of March 31, 2015, the derived service period over which the expense is to be recognized is also determined by the Monte Carlo simulation model. In the event that the market-based conditions are not achieved and the related restricted stock awards are forfeited, equity-based compensation expense is not reversed; if an employee terminates service with Actua prior to completing the service period associated with the award, any compensation expense associated with the unvested award is reversed.
	During 2011, a total of 366,666 shares of restricted stock with market-based conditions were granted to Actua’s Chief Executive Officer and Actua’s President. All of those shares will vest if the thirty-day volume-weighted average price per share (“VWAP”) of Actua’s Common Stock price equals or exceeds $25.00 at any time prior to December 31, 2015.  If Actua’s $25.00 VWAP target is not achieved, but Actua’s total stockholder return is in the top 40% of all NASDAQ Component members for the period beginning on the date of grant and ending on December 31, 2015, half of those shares will vest. In the event of a change of control (as defined by the Plan) before December 31, 2015, all of the shares contingent upon the achievement of the aforementioned stock price metrics would automatically vest, and any unrecognized equity-based compensation expense associated with those awards would be immediately recognized. In the event that one or both of the aforementioned stock price metrics are not achieved by December 31, 2015, the relevant shares of restricted stock will lapse unvested.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2014, a total of 1,277,500 shares of restricted stock with market-based conditions were granted to certain of Actua’s employees, including Actua’s executive officers, and certain executives of Actua’s consolidated businesses (the “2014 Management Market-Based Awards”) with market-based conditions. The vesting of those shares is contingent upon the 45-trading day VWAP of Actua’s Common Stock meeting or exceeding specified 45-trading day VWAP targets ($28.07, $30.16, $32.38 and $34.71) on or before February 28, 2018, with 25% of the shares vesting upon of each of the targets, provided that, if any of the VWAP targets is achieved prior to February 28, 2016, half of the applicable shares will vest on the date of achievement of the VWAP target, and the remaining half of the shares that would have vested upon achieving the VWAP target will instead vest on February 28, 2016. The unamortized equity-based compensation as of March 31, 2015 related to these market-based awards was $6.8 million and will be recognized as follows: $6.1 million in the remaining nine months of 2015, and $0.7 million in 2016. To the extent the VWAP targets Management-Based Awards are achieved prior to Actua’s recognition of the full amount of related equity-based compensation costs, any related unamortized equity-based compensation expense would be immediately recognized, provided that the respective service conditions have been met. In the event that any of the VWAP targets are not achieved, the relevant shares of restricted stock will lapse unvested.
	In April 2014, 50,200 shares of restricted stock were granted to Actua’s non-management employees (the “2014 Employee Market-Based Awards”). The vesting of those shares is contingent upon the 45-trading day VWAP of Actua’s Common Stock meeting or exceeding the same specified 45-trading day VWAP targets as the 2014 Management Market-Based Awards on or before February 28, 2018.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, 20,000 shares of restricted stock were granted to an executive of one of Actua’s consolidated businesses.  The vesting of those shares is contingent upon the 45-trading date VWAP of Actual’s Common Stock that meets or exceeds the same specified 45-day VWAP targets as the 2014 Management Market-Based Awards and the 2014 Employee Market-Based Awards on or before February 28, 2018.
	Restricted Stock – Awards with Performance Conditions
	Actua also grants restricted stock awards with performance-based vesting conditions to its employees and certain employees of its consolidated businesses, the vesting of which is contingent upon the achievement of specified financial goals. The equity-based compensation expense for awards with performance-based vesting conditions is recorded based on the fair value of the awards, determined by the ending price of Actua’s Common Stock on the date of grant. Actua assesses the probability of the achievement of any performance conditions and adjusts the related equity compensation expense accordingly. In the event that the performance-based conditions are not achieved and the related restricted stock awards are forfeited, equity-based compensation expense related to those awards is reversed.
	During 2011, along with the 2011 Executive Market-Based Awards, a total of 366,666 shares of restricted stock were granted to Actua’s Chief Executive Officer and Actua’s President that would vest upon the achievement of specified financial targets (the “2011 Executive Performance-Based Awards”). During the three months ended March 31, 2014, in light of the sale of Procurian Inc. (“Procurian”) in 2013 and the resulting improbability of the achievement of the performance conditions that determined the vesting of the awards, both Actua’s Chief Executive Officer and Actua’s President elected to forfeit those shares of restricted stock. Actua reversed previously-recorded equity compensation cost related to those awards in the amount of $1.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2013, when those performance conditions became improbable of achievement.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2014, 244,506 shares of restricted stock were granted to two Actua employees based on performance metrics of GovDelivery for 2014 and 2015.  Those awards vest to the extent the performance metrics are achieved in each year with a maximum vesting of 100,247 shares in the first quarter of 2015 and a maximum vesting of 144,259 shares in the first quarter of 2016.  To the extent the performance metrics are not met, the restricted shares will lapse unvested. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, 56,587 shares and 43,660 shares vested and were forfeited, respectively, related to these awards.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2014, in lieu of the right to receive up to 100% of their respective target bonus amounts under the Actua 2014 Performance Plan (the “2014 Performance Plan”) in cash, senior Actua employees, including Actua’s executive officers, were issued a total of 158,942 shares of restricted stock (determined based on the value of 100% of their respective individual target bonuses under the 2014 Performance Plan and the closing price of Actua’s Common Stock of $20.33 per share on February 28, 2014, the date of the restricted stock grant) (such shares, the “2014 Performance Shares”). If and to the extent that an employee’s achievement percentage under the 2014 Performance Plan (1) was greater than or equal to 100%, all of the employee’s 2014 Performance Shares would have vested or (2) was greater than 0% but less than 100%, a portion of that employee’s 2014 Performance Shares would have vested, as determined by the Compensation Committee of Actua’s Board of Directors, based on the quantitative and qualitative goals under the 2014 Performance Plan. All of the 2014 Performance Shares vested during the first quarter of 2015.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, in lieu of any right to receive up to 150% of their respective target bonus amounts under the Actua 2015 Performance Plan (the “2015 Performance Plan”) in cash, senior Actua employees, including each of Actua’s executive officers, were issued a total of 316,715 shares of restricted stock (determined based on the value of 150% of their respective individual target bonuses under the 2015 Performance Plan and the closing price of Actua’s Common Stock of $16.76 per share on February 27, 2015, the date of the restricted stock grant) (such shares, the “2015 Performance Shares”). If and to the extent that an individual’s achievement percentage under the 2015 Performance Plan (1) is greater than or equal to 150%, all of that employee’s 2015 Performance Shares will vest or (2) is greater than 0% but less than 150%, a portion of that employee’s 2015 Performance Shares will vest, as determined by the Compensation Committee of Actua’s Board of Directors, based on Actua’s quantitative and qualitative goals under the 2015 Performance Plan. In the event that Actua achieves 100% its 2015 Performance Plan targets, two-thirds of the issued shares would vest and the remaining one-third would lapse unvested. Those goals include the achievement of a specified consolidated GAAP revenue goal, the achievement of a specified consolidated adjusted non-GAAP net income/loss goal, the achievement of a specified consolidated adjusted non-GAAP cash flow from operations goal, and the execution of qualitative goals, which consist of (1) allocation of capital and corporate development, (2) execution of strategic initiatives, (3) brand enhancement and (4) reaction to unforeseen market/business conditions.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, certain executives of Actua’s consolidated businesses were issued a total of 42,341 shares of restricted stock, the vesting of which is contingent upon the achievement of specified performance targets at those respective businesses.  To the extent those performance targets are achieved, the shares will vest in the first quarter of 2016; in the event those performance targets are not achieved, the relevant shares will lapse unvested.
	Restricted Stock – Awards with Service Conditions
	Actua grants restricted stock awards to its employees, its Board of Directors and certain employees of its consolidated businesses that vest over a period of time of employee service. The equity-based compensation expense for those time-based awards is recorded based on the fair value of the awards, determined by the ending price of Actua’s Common Stock on the date of grant. In the event that an employee or board member terminates service with Actua (or its consolidated businesses) prior to the vesting of a time-based award, the related restricted stock awards are forfeited and equity-based compensation related to any forfeited award is reversed.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2014, 37,500 shares of restricted stock were granted to Actua’s Board of Directors in accordance with Actua’s Amended and Restated Non-Management Director Compensation Plan (the “Director Plan”). Those shares vested during the three months ended March 31, 2015. See “Non-Management Director Equity-Based Compensation” in this Note 9 for additional details regarding equity-based compensation awarded to Actua’s Board of Directors.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2014, 1,377,500 shares of restricted stock were granted to certain of Actua’s employees, including Actua’s executive officers, and certain executives of Actua’s consolidated businesses. Those awards vest each year on the anniversary of the grant for four years.  Accordingly, 344,375 shares of restricted stock vested during the three months ended March 31, 2015. The unamortized equity-based compensation as of March 31, 2015 related to those time-based awards was $20.4 million and will be recognized as follows: $5.2 million in the remaining nine months of 2015 and $7.0 million in 2016, $7.0 million in 2017 and $1.2 million in 2018.
	In April 2014, 76,200 shares of restricted stock were granted to Actua’s non-management employees. Those awards vest in equal increments on February 28th of each year for four years; accordingly, 18,825 shares of restricted stock vested during the three months ended March 31, 2015. 900 of those shares were forfeited during 2014.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, 4,000 shares of restricted stock were granted to certain of Actua’s non-management employees.  Those awards vest in equal increments each year for four years on the anniversary of the grant date.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, 20,000 shares of restricted stock were granted to an executive of one of Actua’s consolidated businesses that vests in equal increments each year for four years on the anniversary of the grant date.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, 20,000 shares of Actua’s Common Stock were awarded to certain executives of Actua’s consolidated businesses; those shares were not subject to any vesting requirements.  Actua recorded $0.3 million of expense during the three months ended March 31, 2015 related to those awards, which is included in the line item “Restricted Stock” in the equity-based compensation by equity award type table above.
	Also during the three months ended March 31, 2015, 18,200 shares of restricted stock were granted to Actua’s non-management Board of Directors in accordance with Actua’s Second Amended and Restated Non-Management Director Compensation Plan (the “Amended Director Plan”) that took effect January 1, 2015.  Those awards vest in July 2015.  See “Non-Management Director Equity-Based Compensation” in this Note 9 for additional details regarding equity-based compensation awarded to Actua’s Board of Directors.
	There are various other restricted stock awards that were issued in previous years, vest according to specified service criteria, and remain unvested as of March 31, 2015. Those awards include 91,666 shares of restricted stock granted to Actua’s Chief Executive Officer and Actua’s President during 2011, half of which vest in each of May 2015 and November 2015, and 24,042 shares of restricted stock granted to Actua’s employees during 2012 that vest each March and September beginning in March 2013 and ending on November 2016. The remaining 43,435 shares of restricted stock vest on the various anniversaries of the grants through 2018.
	SARs
	Each SAR represents the right of the holder to receive, upon exercise of that SAR, which vest shares of Actua Common Stock equal to the amount by which the fair market value of a share of that Common Stock on the date of exercise of the SAR exceeds the base price of the SAR. The base price is determined by the NASDAQ closing price of Actua’s Common Stock on the date of grant (or the closing price on the next trading day if there are no trades in Actua’s Common Stock on the date of grant). The fair value of each SAR is estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. SARs generally vest over four years, with 25% vesting on the first anniversary of the grant date, and the remaining 75% vesting ratably each month over the subsequent 36 months.
Activity with respect to SARs during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was as follows:
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015										2014
	Number of SARs				Weighted Average Base Price			Weighted Average Fair Value			Number of SARs			Weighted Average Base Price		Weighted Average Fair Value
Granted		1,500			$	16.69		$	8.99			-		$	-	$	-
Exercised (1)		7,897			$	10.61		$	5.72			293,925		$	8.07	$	4.7
(1)	The exercise of SARs listed in the three-month period table resulted in the issuance of 1,869 shares and 120,459 shares of Actua’s Common Stock during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
There were 542,085 SARs and 548,482 SARs outstanding as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of the SARs outstanding as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was $4.2 million and $4.3 million, respectively.
Stock Options
The fair value of each stock option is estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Stock options generally vest ratably over four years: 25% vest on the first anniversary of the grant date, and the remaining 75% vest ratably each month over the subsequent 36 months.
There was no activity with respect to stock options during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. There were 250 stock options outstanding as of both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014; the aggregate intrinsic value of the stock options outstanding as of both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was de minimis.
SARs and Stock Options Fair Value Assumptions
Actua estimates the grant date fair value of SARs and stock options using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which requires the input of highly subjective assumptions. Those assumptions include estimating the expected life of the award and estimating volatility of Actua’s stock price over the expected term. Expected volatility approximates the historical volatility of Actua’s Common Stock over the period, commensurate with the expected term of the award. Due to insufficient historical data, Actua used the simplified method to determine the expected life of all SARs and stock options granted under its equity incentive plan from the inception of the plan in 2005 through December 31, 2013.  Actua also used the simplified method to calculate the expected term for the de minimis (500) SARs granted during 2014. Actua believes that it now has sufficient historical data to calculate an expected term for SARs and stock options granted in the future. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield in effect at the time of grant for an instrument with a maturity that is commensurate with the expected term of the award. Changes in the above assumptions, the estimated forfeitures and/or the requisite service period can materially affect the amount of equity-based compensation recognized in Actua’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The following assumptions were used to determine the fair value of SARs granted to employees by Actua during the three-month period ended March 31, 2015:
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015
Expected volatility		56	%
Average expected life of SAR (in years)		6.13
Risk-free interest rate		1.51	%
Dividend yield		-	%
Non-Management Director Equity-Based Compensation
Actua periodically issues DSUs and/or shares of restricted stock to its non-management directors in accordance with the Director Plan and the Amended Director Plan. Each DSU represents a share of Common Stock into which that DSU will be converted upon the termination of the recipient’s service at Actua.
Non-Management Director Equity-Based Compensation – The Director Plan
The Director Plan was effective through December 31, 2014. Under the Director Plan, non-management directors were entitled to an annual grant for which directors could elect to receive restricted stock or DSUs. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, 37,500 shares of restricted stock and 22,500 DSUs were granted to Actua’s non-management directors, both with a grant date fair value of $17.63, representing the directors’ annual award under the Director Plan. All of those shares of restricted stock and DSUs vested during the three months ended March 31, 2015. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, 30,750 shares of restricted stock and 29,250 DSUs, both with a grant date fair value of $13.09, representing the directors’ annual 2013 annual grant, vested. There were no DSUs issued and unvested as of March 31, 2015. There were 22,500 DSUs issued and unvested as of December 31, 2014.
In 2014, each non-management director was also entitled to receive quarterly cash payments for his service on the Board of Directors and its committees, as applicable, under the Director Plan. Each director had the option to elect to receive DSUs in lieu of all or a portion of those cash fees. Each participating director received DSUs representing shares of Actua’s Common Stock with a fair market value equal to the relevant cash fees (with such fair market value determined by reference to the closing Common Stock price reported by NASDAQ on the date these cash fees otherwise would have been paid). DSUs received in lieu of cash fees were fully vested at the time they were granted and will be settled in shares of Actua’s Common Stock upon the termination of the recipient’s service at Actua. The expense for those DSUs is recorded when the fees to which the DSUs relate are earned and is included in the line item “General and administrative” on Actua’s Consolidated Statements of Operations (but is not reflected in the summarized Equity-Based Compensation table above). During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, non-management directors received DSUs representing 4,469 shares and 5,913 shares, respectively, of Actua’s Common Stock in lieu of cash for services provided.
Non-Management Director Equity-Based Compensation – The Amended Director Plan
Pursuant to the Amended Director Plan, the compensation of Actua’s non-management directors was modified as follows for 2015:  (1) the form of director retainer fee payments has changed from quarterly cash payments to annual director restricted stock grants (with restricted stock with a six-month vesting period being granted in January 2015 and, thereafter, annual grants being made in connection with Actua’s annual meetings of stockholders)  and (2) the number and frequency of non-management director service grant DSUs/shares of director restricted stock has changed from 7,500 annually to 22,500 triennially (with 7,500 DSUs/shares of director restricted stock vesting on the one-year anniversary of the grant date, and the remaining 15,000 DSUs/shares of Director Restricted Stock vesting in equal quarterly installments over the following two years).  The annual grants of shares of director restricted stock that replaced the quarterly cash retainer fees will (a) be made at the board meeting immediately following the annual meeting of stockholders, (b) be equal in value to the total amount of annual retainer fees that are otherwise payable for the upcoming year (based on the NASDAQ closing price of Actua’s Common Stock on the grant date), (c) vest on the one-year anniversary of the grant date and (d) no longer be subject to a director option to receive DSUs in lieu of the shares. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, 18,200 shares of restricted stock were granted to Actua’s non-management directors (as discussed previously in this Note 9) representing the director retainer fee for the first half of 2015.
Consolidated Businesses
All of Actua’s consolidated businesses issue equity-based compensation awards to their employees. Those awards are most often in the form of stock options for the respective businesses’ stock that vest over four years. The fair value of the stock option awards is estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The majority of the stock options vest 25% on the first anniversary of the grant date, and the remaining 75% vest ratably each month over the subsequent 36 months. The other awards generally vest ratably over four years, with 25% vesting on each anniversary date over that term.
In conjunction with the NuCivic transaction, GovDelivery granted $3.1 million of restricted stock as partial consideration for the purchase. The expense associated with those awards is being recognized ratably over a four-year vesting period. That expense is included in the line item “Equity-Based Compensation for Consolidated Businesses” in the equity-based compensation by equity award type table above.

Other_Income_Loss

Other Income (Loss)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Other Income And Expenses [Abstract]
Other Income (Loss)	10. Other Income (Loss)
	Other Income (Loss), net
	Other income (loss), net consists of the effect of transactions and other events relating to Actua’s ownership interests and its operations in general.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, Actua received a distribution from Anthem that resulted in proceeds of $1.0 million; Actua recorded a gain in that amount for the period. Additionally, Actua received a loan repayment from Acquirgy in the amount of $0.4 million and, since Actua had no remaining basis in Acquirgy, recorded a gain in that amount for the period.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2014, in conjunction with the final release of escrowed proceeds from the sale of StarCite, Inc. in 2011, Actua received cash of $0.3 million and recorded a gain in that amount for the period.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	11. Income Taxes
	Actua Corporation, FolioDynamix (from November 3, 2014, the date of acquisition), GovDelivery, and MSDSonline file a consolidated federal income tax return. Bolt is not included in Actua’s consolidated federal income tax return. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, a tax provision was recognized for state and foreign income taxes; no tax benefit for the loss from continuing operations was recognized as Actua maintains a full valuation allowance against its federal net deferred tax assets that it believes, after evaluating all the positive and negative evidence, both historical and prospective, is more likely than not to not be realized.

Net_Income_Loss_per_Share

Net Income (Loss) per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Income (Loss) per Share	12. Net Income (Loss) per Share
	The calculations of net income (loss) per share were as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands, except per share data)
	Basic and Diluted:
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	(14,765	)	$	(10,198	)
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations		-			48
	Net income (loss) attributable to Actua Corporation	$	(14,765	)	$	(10,150	)
	Basic and Diluted:
	Income (loss) from continuing operations per share	$	(0.40	)	$	(0.27	)
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations per share		-			0
	Net income (loss) attributable to Actua Corporation per share	$	(0.40	)	$	(0.27	)
	Shares used in computation of basis and diluted income (loss) per share		36,842			37,096
	The following potentially dilutive securities were not included in the computation of diluted net loss per share, as their effect would have been anti-dilutive:
		Units			Weighted Average
		(in thousands)			Price per Share
	Three months ended March 31, 2015
	SARs		542		$	10.72
	Restricted stock (1)		3,509		$	-
	Three months ended March 31, 2014
	SARs		939		$	9.1
	Restricted stock (1)		3,739		$	-
	DSUs		23		$	-
	(1)	Anti-dilutive securities include contingently issuable shares unvested as of March 31, 2015 and 2014, the vesting of which is based on performance conditions and market conditions that have not yet been achieved. See Note 9, “Equity-Based Compensation.”

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	13. Segment Information
	The results of operations of our businesses are reported in two segments:  the “vertical cloud” reporting segment and the “vertical cloud (venture)” reporting segment.  The vertical cloud reporting segment reflects the aggregate financial results of Actua’s businesses (1) that share the economic and other characteristics, (2) in which Actua’s management takes a very active role in providing strategic direction and operational support and (3) towards which Actua devotes relatively large proportions of its personnel, financial capital and other resources.  As of the date of this Report, Actua owns majority controlling equity positions in (and therefore consolidates the financial results of) the four businesses in the vertical cloud segment: Bolt, FolioDynamix, GovDelivery and MSDSonline.  Since Actua acquired FolioDynamix on November 3, 2014, FolioDynamix’s results are not included in the Consolidated Financial Statements for the three-month period ended March 31, 2014. The vertical cloud (venture) reporting segment includes businesses with many characteristics similar to those of the businesses in the vertical cloud segment, but in which Actua takes a less active role in terms of strategic direction and operational support, and, accordingly, towards which Actua devotes relatively small amounts of personnel, financial capital and other resources.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, approximately $1.6 million and $0.8 million, respectively, of Actua’s consolidated revenue relates to sales generated outside of the United States, primarily Europe and Canada. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, Actua’s assets were located primarily in the United States.
	The following summarizes selected information related to Actua’s segments for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. The amounts presented as “Dispositions” in the following table represent businesses reported as discontinued operations and/or Actua’s share of businesses’ results that had been accounted for under the equity method of accounting but were disposed of. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, Actua received a working capital adjustment of less than $0.1 million related to the sale of Procurian. That amount was recorded as a gain and is included in the line item “”Income (loss) from discontinued operations, including gain on sale, net of tax” in the Consolidated Financial Statements for the three-month period ended March 31, 2014. CIML was accounted for under the equity method of accounting until it ceased operations in September 2014. The gain related to the Procurian working capital adjustment reported as discontinued operations, as well as Actua’s share of CIML’s results (including the related intangible amortization recorded by Actua), which was removed from the vertical cloud (venture) segment, are included in “Dispositions” in the segment information table below for the relevant periods presented.
		Segment Information
		(in thousands)
													Reconciling Items
		Vertical Cloud				Vertical Cloud				Total			Dispositions			Other (1)			Consolidated
						(Venture)				Segment
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	Revenue	$	30,592			$	-			$	30,592		$	-		$	-		$	30,592
	Net income (loss) attributable to	$	(7,947	)		$	-			$	(7,947	)	$	-		$	(6,818	)	$	(14,765	)
	Actua Corporation
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Revenue	$	18,422			$	-			$	18,422		$	-		$	-		$	18,422
	Net income (loss) attributable to	$	(4,614	)		$	-			$	(4,614	)	$	(264	)	$	(5,272	)	$	(10,150	)
	Actua Corporation
	(1) The following table reflects the components of Net income (loss) attributable to Actua Corporation included in Other (in thousands):
			Three Months Ended March 31,
			2015				2014
	General and administrative		$	(9,291	)		$	(6,551	)
	Impairment related and other			(95	)			-
	Corporate other income (loss) (Note 10)			1,390				294
	Interest income			18				81
	Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest			1,160				904
	Net income (loss)		$	(6,818	)		$	(5,272	)
		Vertical Cloud				Vertical Cloud (Venture)				Total Segment			Dispositions			Other			Consolidated Results
	Assets as of:
	31-Mar-15	$	427,399			$	16,617			$	444,016		$	2,989		$	66,020		$	513,025
	December 31, 2014	$	418,063			$	16,117			$	434,180		$	2,998		$	91,920		$	529,098

Contingencies

Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Contingencies	14. Contingencies
	During 2008 and 2009, two carried interest plans (one in each year) were established, for which a carried interest of 15% is allocable to Actua’s management participants in each plan. Carried interest will be paid in connection with a liquidity event or income receipt at any of the businesses in which the carried interest plans hold interests, subject to an aggregate specified hurdle threshold and holdback and clawback criteria. Actua has deployed approximately $86 million to date with respect to these plans, including approximately $25.5 million in 2014. Actua’s ownership in Bolt acquired prior to 2015 is held in the 2009 carried interest plan, and the activities over the past few years relative to the 2009 carried interest plan primarily relate to cash deployment from Actua to achieve its objectives of increasing its ownership in, and supporting the cash needs of, Bolt. Beginning in 2015, any additional cash deployment to Bolt will not be included in the carried interest plans. Other than the stake in Bolt held by the 2009 carried interest plan, the assets held by the carried interest plans are immaterial to Actua. Actua does not expect a liquidity or income receipt at any of the relevant businesses to occur in the near future, and, accordingly, Actua has not recorded a liability with respect to these plans. Once a liquidity event or income receipt at any of the relevant businesses that would yield proceeds in excess of the calculated hurdle rate occurs, and a payment becomes probable and estimable, Actua would record the appropriate liability. Payments against that liability would occur thereafter subject to relevant holdbacks and clawbacks. As of March 31, 2015, the aggregate specified hurdle thresholds related to both carried interest plans had not been met.

Significant_Accounting_Policie1

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Principles of Accounting for Ownership Interests	Principles of Accounting for Ownership Interests
	The various interests that Actua acquires in its businesses are accounted for under one of three methods: the consolidation method, the equity method and the cost method. The applicable accounting method is generally determined based on Actua’s voting interest in a company.
Consolidation Method	Consolidation Method. Businesses in which (1) Actua directly or indirectly owns more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities, and (2) other stockholders do not possess the right to affect significant management decisions are generally accounted for under the consolidation method of accounting. Participation of other stockholders in the net assets and in the earnings or losses of a consolidated subsidiary is reflected in the line items “Noncontrolling interests” in Actua’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and “Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest” in Actua’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. Noncontrolling interest adjusts Actua’s consolidated results of operations to reflect only Actua’s share of the earnings or losses of the consolidated subsidiary.
	Any changes in Actua’s ownership interest in a consolidated subsidiary, through additional equity issuances (whether to Actua or otherwise) by the consolidated subsidiary or through Actua acquiring equity interests from existing shareholders, following which Actua maintains control is recognized as an equity transaction, with appropriate adjustments to both Actua’s additional paid-in capital and the corresponding noncontrolling interests. The difference between the carrying amount of Actua’s ownership interest in the company and the underlying net book value of the company after the issuance of stock by the company is reflected as an equity transaction in Actua’s Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity.
	An increase in Actua’s ownership interest in a business accounted for under the equity or cost method of accounting in which Actua obtains a controlling financial interest is accounted for as a step acquisition, with an allocation of the purchase price to the fair value of the net assets acquired. In addition, Actua remeasures its previously held ownership interest in a business that was previously not consolidated at the acquisition date fair value; any gain or loss resulting from such a remeasurement is recognized in Actua’s Consolidated Statements of Operations at the time of the remeasurement. Actua begins to include the financial position and operating results of the newly-consolidated subsidiary in its Consolidated Financial Statements from the date Actua obtains the controlling financial interest in that subsidiary. If control is lost, any retained interest is measured at fair value, and a gain or loss is recognized in Actua’s Consolidated Statements of Operations at that time. In addition, to the extent Actua maintains a smaller equity ownership, the accounting method used for that business is adjusted to the equity or cost method of accounting, as appropriate, for subsequent periods.
Equity Method	Equity Method. Businesses that are not consolidated, but over which Actua exercises significant influence, are accounted for under the equity method of accounting and are referred to in Note 5, “Equity and Cost Method Businesses.” The determination as to whether or not Actua exercises significant influence with respect to a company depends on an evaluation of several factors, including, among others, representation on the company’s board of directors and equity ownership level, which is generally between a 20% and a 50% interest in the voting securities of an equity method business, as well as voting rights associated with Actua’s holdings in common stock, preferred stock and other convertible instruments in that company. Actua’s share of the earnings and/or losses of the company, as well as any adjustments resulting from prior period finalizations of equity income/losses, are reflected in the line item “Equity loss” in Actua’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of March 31, 2015, Actua does not have any businesses accounted for under the equity method of accounting.
Cost Method	Cost Method. Businesses not accounted for under either the consolidation method or equity method of accounting are accounted for under the cost method of accounting and are referred to in Note 5, “Equity and Cost Method Businesses.” Actua’s share of the earnings and/or losses of cost method businesses is not included in Actua’s Consolidated Statement of Operations. However, impairment charges related to cost method businesses are recognized in Actua’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. If circumstances suggest that the value of a cost method business with respect to which an impairment charge has been made has subsequently recovered, that recovery is not recorded. The carrying values of Actua’s cost method businesses are reflected in the line item “Equity and cost method businesses” in Actua’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	Actua initially records its carrying value in businesses accounted for under the cost method at cost, unless the equity securities of a cost method business have readily determinable fair values based on quoted market prices, in which case the interests are valued at fair value and are classified as marketable securities or some other classification in accordance with guidance for ownership interests in debt and equity securities.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. Those estimates include evaluation of Actua’s convertible debt and equity holdings in businesses, holdings in marketable securities, asset impairment, revenue recognition, income taxes and commitments and contingencies. Those estimates and assumptions are based on management’s best judgments. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, such as the current economic environment, that management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances and adjusts its estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate that it is necessary or appropriate to do so. It is reasonably possible that Actua’s accounting estimates with respect to the ultimate recoverability of Actua’s ownership interests in convertible debt and equity holdings, goodwill and the useful lives of intangible assets could change in the near term and that the effect of such changes on Actua’s consolidated financial statements could be material. Management believes the recorded amounts of goodwill, intangible assets, equity method businesses and cost method businesses were not impaired as of March 31, 2015.
Goodwill, Intangible Assets, Equity Method Business and Cost Method Businesses	Goodwill, Intangible Assets, Equity Method Businesses and Cost Method Businesses
	Actua evaluates its carrying value in equity method businesses and cost method businesses continuously to determine whether an other-than-temporary decline in the fair value of any such business exists and should be recognized. In order to make that determination, Actua considers each such business’ achievement of its business plan objectives and milestones, the fair value of its ownership interest in each such business (which, in the case of any company listed on a public stock exchange, is the quoted stock price of the relevant ownership interest), the financial condition and prospects of each such business, and other relevant factors. The business plan objectives and milestones Actua considers include, among others, those related to financial performance, such as achievement of planned financial results or completion of capital raising activities, and those that are not primarily financial in nature, such as obtaining key business partnerships or the hiring of key employees. Impairment charges are determined by comparing Actua’s carrying value of a business with the business’ estimated fair value. Fair value is determined by using a combination of estimating the cash flows related to the relevant business, including estimated proceeds on disposition, and an analysis of market price multiples of companies engaged in lines of business similar to the business being evaluated. Actua concluded that the carrying value of its equity method businesses and cost method businesses was not impaired as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
	Actua tests goodwill for impairment annually during the fourth quarter of each year, or more frequently as conditions warrant, and tests intangible assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Actua concluded that its goodwill and intangible assets were not impaired as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition
	Actua recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery of the service has occurred, no significant obligations with regard to implementation remain, the fee is fixed or determinable and collectability is probable.  The following paragraphs provide more specific details regarding the manner in which each of our businesses recognizes revenue.
	Bolt generates revenue from (1) SaaS software licenses, (2) maintenance and support services, (3) professional service fees, (4) insurance commissions and (5) subscription fees.
	Bolt enters to certain multiple deliverable arrangements primarily related to its software licenses (which are delivered through a cloud-based model), professional services necessary for the functionality of the software and maintenance and support services.  Bolt evaluates each deliverable in a multiple deliverable arrangement to determine whether that deliverable has standalone value. A delivered element has standalone value if the element has value to a customer on a standalone basis (supported by whether Bolt routinely provides these elements independent of other products and/or services, or a third-party vendor could provide a similar service to the customer). Additionally, Bolt considers whether there is a customer-negotiated refund or return right for the delivered element. If these criteria are not met, the deliverable is combined with the undelivered elements and the allocation of the arrangement consideration and revenue recognition are determined for the combined and recognized over the applicable contract term.
	For Bolt’s professional services or other deliverables that are determined to have standalone value, Bolt allocates the total revenue to be earned under the arrangement among the various elements based on a selling price hierarchy using the relative selling price method. The selling price for a deliverable is based on its vendor specific objective evidence (VSOE), if available, third party evidence (TPE), if VSOE is not available, or the best estimated selling price (ESP), if neither VSOE nor TPE is available. VSOE of selling price is based on the normal pricing and discounting practices for those products and services when sold separately. TPE of selling price is determined by evaluating largely similar and interchangeable competitor products or services in standalone sales to similarly situated customers. ESP is established considering factors such as margin objectives, discounts from list prices, market conditions, and competition.  ESP represents the price at which the company would transact for the deliverable if it were sold by the company regularly on a standalone basis.
	Generally, under Bolt’s cloud-based software licenses, professional fees essential for the functionality of the software and related maintenance and support services do not have standalone value to Bolts customers and are therefore combined, and revenue is recognized ratably over the applicable contract term.  For deliverables (typically professional service fees), which have been determined to have standalone value, Bolt has historically concluded that neither VSOE nor TPE can be established and, as such, it has relied on ESP to allocate revenue to each element. Those fees are then recognized as the services are performed and/or the professional service fees have been delivered.
	Bolt’s commissions on the premiums from sales of insurance policies are recognized when Bolt has sufficient information to determine (1) the amount that it is owed and (2) that it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to Bolt. Finally, Bolt recognizes subscription fee revenue over the subscription period, which is generally one month.
	Bolt has typically represented a small amount of Actua’s historical deferred revenue balances.  Bolt’s contracts are generally billed in annual, quarterly or monthly installments and contain cancelation clauses that usually have significant penalties associated with the cancellation.  Historically, Bolt has experienced very low levels of cancelations.
	FolioDynamix generates revenues primarily in the form of (1) recurring software license and subscription fees (2) maintenance and support services, (3) professional services fees from customization and integration services related to its software, (4) professional services fees for customized investment program management and consulting, and (5) investment advisory services.  The initial subscription arrangement term is typically between three and five years.
	FolioDynamix’s platform revenue from term software license arrangements is recognized on a subscription basis over the customer contract license term of use.  Revenue from annual maintenance is deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis over the period that the service is provided.  Revenue related to platform implementation professional services is deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis over the contract term.  A small portion of revenue is derived from multiple element contracts for which FolioDynamix cannot separate the license element from the service elements; that revenue is deferred until all elements of the arrangement have been delivered. Revenue under arrangements with multiple elements is allocated under the residual method.  Under the residual method, revenue is allocated first to the undelivered elements based on their VSOE of fair value and the residual amount is applied to the delivered elements.
	Certain revenues earned by FolioDynamix for advisory services require judgment to determine if revenue should be recorded gross as, a principal, or net of related costs, as an agent. In general, these revenues are recognized on a net basis if FolioDynamix does not have control over selecting vendors and pricing, and when the Company is acting as an agent of the supplier.  Revenues from professional services are deemed to not have standalone value and, therefore, are recognized ratably over the contract term.
	FolioDynamix represents a small amount of Actua’s deferred revenue balance at March 31, 2015.  FolioDynamix’s contracts are billed in annual, quarterly or monthly installments and are primarily non-cancellable.
	GovDelivery revenue consists of (1) nonrefundable setup fees and (2) SaaS monthly subscription fees. As the setup fees do not have standalone value to the customer, they are combined with subscription fees and are recognized in revenue over the initial contract term.  Costs related to performing setup services are expensed as incurred.
	GovDelivery has typically represented a significant portion of Actua’s historical deferred revenue balances.  GovDelivery’s contracts are generally billed in annual, quarterly, or monthly installments and contain cancelation clauses by which the customer can cancel the contract with 30 days written notice.  In instances of cancelation, the pro rata balance of the agreement would be refundable.  Historically, GovDelivery has experienced very low levels of cancelations.
	MSDSonline derives revenue from two sources: (1) SaaS subscription fees and (2) professional services fees. The vast majority of MSDSonline’s revenue is derived from subscription fees from customers accessing MSDSonline’s database and web-based tools; such revenue is recognized ratably over the applicable contract term, beginning on the contract implementation date. MSDSonline also generates professional services fees from (1) training, (2) authoring of material safety data sheets and (3) compiling of customers’ online libraries of material safety data sheet documents and indexing those documents. Those professional services are generally determined to have standalone value, and the revenue derived from those fees is recognized on a proportional performance basis over the applicable project’s timeline.
	MSDSonline has typically represented the majority of Actua’s historical deferred revenue balances.  MSDSonline’s contracts are generally billed annually and are non-cancellable.
	At each of Actua’s businesses, fees associated with professional services for new customers that are not determined to have standalone value are deferred and recognized over the contract term.  Actua’s businesses recognize those fees for professional services paid by new customers, which primarily relate to implementation services, over the initial terms of the contracts because, at the time contracts with new customers are consummated, there is no history with such customers and it cannot be determined whether the relationship with such customers will extend beyond the terms of the initial contracts.
Equity-Based Compensation	Equity-Based Compensation
	Actua recognizes equity-based compensation expense in the Consolidated Financial Statements for all share options and other equity-based arrangements that are expected to vest. Equity-based compensation expense is measured at the date of grant, based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized using the straight-line method over the employee’s requisite service period. Equity-based awards with vesting conditions other than service are recognized based on the probability that those conditions will be achieved.
Net Income (Loss) Per Share	Net Income (Loss) Per Share
	Basic net income (loss) per share (EPS) is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during a given period. Diluted EPS includes shares, unless anti-dilutive, that would be issued in connection with the exercise of stock options and conversion of other convertible securities and is adjusted, if applicable, for the effect on net income (loss) of such transactions. See Note 12, “Net Income (Loss) per Share.”
Escrow Information	Escrow Information
	When an interest in one of Actua’s businesses is sold, a portion of the proceeds may be held in escrow primarily to satisfy purchase price adjustments and/or indemnity claims. Actua records gains on escrowed proceeds at the time Actua is entitled to receive those proceeds from escrow, the amount is fixed or determinable and realization is assured. As of March 31, 2015, $4.0 million related to Actua’s potential proceeds from sales of former businesses remained in escrow to satisfy potential or unresolved indemnification claims. Those outstanding escrow amounts are scheduled to be released in 2016, subject to pending and potential indemnity claims pursuant to the terms of the applicable acquisition agreements.
Concentration of Customer Base and Credit Risk	Concentration of Customer Base and Credit Risk
	For the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, none of the customers of Actua’s consolidated businesses represented more than 10% of Actua’s consolidated revenue.
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies
	From time to time, Actua and its businesses are involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. Actua does not expect any liability with respect to any legal claims or actions, either individually or in the aggregate, that would materially affect its consolidated financial position or cash flows.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In June 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued guidance regarding share-based compensation. The new guidance clarified that share-based compensation performance targets that could be achieved after the requisite service period should be treated as a performance condition that affects vesting rather than a condition that affects the grant-date fair value of the award. This guidance will be effective for Actua beginning on January 1, 2016. Actua does not expect this guidance to have a significant impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued revenue recognition guidance that provides a single, comprehensive revenue recognition model for all contracts with customers. Under the new guidance, an entity will recognize revenue based on amounts the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for the transfer of goods or services. The new guidance also includes enhanced disclosure requirements. This guidance, which will be applied either retrospectively or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption, will be effective for Actua beginning on January 1, 2017. Actua is in the process of evaluating the adoption alternatives and impact that this guidance will have on the Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued accounting guidance on reporting discontinued operations. The new guidance changes the criteria for determining the disposals that qualify as discontinued operations and expands related disclosure requirements. Under the new guidance, a disposal is required to be reported as discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that will have a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. This guidance, which is applied prospectively, became effective for Actua for new disposals and disposal groups classified as held for sale beginning on January 1, 2015. The adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets1

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Activity Related to Goodwill	The following table summarizes the activity related to Actua’s goodwill (in thousands):
		Gross Carrying				Accumulated				Net Carrying
		Amount				Impairment				Amount
						Losses
	Goodwill as of December 31, 2014	$	265,247			$	(304	)		$	264,943
	Change in goodwill during the three months ended March 31, 2015		-				-				-
	Goodwill as of March 31, 2015	$	265,247			$	(304	)		$	264,943
Summary of Intangible Assets from Continuing Operations	The following table summarizes Actua’s intangible assets from continuing operations (in thousands):
					As of March 31, 2015
					Gross Carrying				Accumulated			Net Carrying
	Intangible Assets		Useful Life		Amount				Amortization			Amount
	Customer relationships		1-11 years		$	74,948			$	(16,889	)	$	58,059
	Trademarks/trade names		3-11 years			24,543				(5,177	)		19,366
	Technology		5-10 years			25,223				(5,198	)		20,025
	Non-compete agreements		2-5 years			3,680				(3,521	)		159
						128,394				(30,785	)		97,609
	Other intellectual property (1)		Indefinite			700				-			700
					$	129,094			$	(30,785	)	$	98,309
					As of December 31, 2014
					Gross Carrying				Accumulated			Net Carrying
	Intangible Assets		Useful Life		Amount				Amortization			Amount
	Customer relationships		1-11 years		$	74,948			$	(14,817	)	$	60,131
	Trademarks/trade names		3-11 years			24,543				(4,322	)		20,221
	Technology		5-10 years			25,223				(4,263	)		20,960
	Non-compete agreements		2-5 years			3,680				(3,367	)		313
						128,394				(26,769	)		101,625
	Other intellectual property (1)		Indefinite		700					-		700
					$	129,094			$	(26,769	)	$	102,325
	(1) One of the assets included in this line item is no longer considered to have an indefinite life following Actua’s name change on September 2, 2014. However, Actua estimated that the residual value of this asset approximated its carrying value of $0.4 million as of both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
Remaining Estimated Amortization Expense	Remaining estimated amortization expense for the respective years set forth below is as follows (in thousands):
	2015 (remaining nine months)		$	11,123
	2016			13,813
	2017			13,389
	2018			12,130
	2019			11,333
	Thereafter			35,821
	Remaining amortization expense		$	97,609

Consolidated_Businesses_Tables

Consolidated Businesses (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Reconciliation of Activity Related to Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest	The following is a reconciliation of the activity related to Actua’s redeemable noncontrolling interest during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	3,442
	Redeemable noncontrolling interest portion of subsidiary net income/(loss)		11
	Accretion to estimated redemption value		594
	Impact of subsidiary equity transactions		7
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	4,054
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	6,221
	Redeemable noncontrolling interest portion of subsidiary net income/(loss)		(68	)
	Accretion to estimated redemption value		1,303
	Equity transfer among owners		(3,339	)
	Impact of subsidiary equity transactions		(631	)
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	3,486
FolioDynamix
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Allocations of Purchase Price to Identified Intangible Assets and Tangible Assets and Liabilities	The following table summarizes the preliminary allocation of the consideration paid for FolioDynamix and the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed.
			(in thousands)
	Consideration:
	Cash consideration (including $0.7 million of working capital adjustment paid in 2015)		$	201,699
	Fair value of stock options of FolioDynamix			4,125
			$	205,824
	Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
	Financial assets		$	9,324
	Property, plant and equipment			1,581
	Customer lists (10 year life)			23,300
	Trademarks, trade names and domain names (5 year life)			8,100
	Technology (8 year life)			15,200
	Financial liabilities			(14,397	)
	Contingent consideration			(1,870	)
	Deferred tax liability			(1,585	)
	Total identifiable net assets			39,653
	Goodwill			166,171
			$	205,824
Other Acquisitions
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Allocations of Purchase Price to Identified Intangible Assets and Tangible Assets and Liabilities	The allocations of the KMI, Ludwig and NuCivic purchase prices to identified intangible assets and tangible assets and liabilities are as follows (in thousands):
			KMI			Ludwig			NuCivic
	Net assets acquired:
	Goodwill		$	6,735		$	314		$	1,257
	Customer lists (5-11 year life)			2,900			2,658			202
	Trademarks, trade names and domain names (5-11 year life)			300			-			330
	Technology (5 year life)			400			-			-
	Non-compete agreement (5 year life)			-			164			14
	Other net assets (liabilities)			1,165			-			197
			$	11,500		$	3,136		$	2,000
FolioDynamix, NuCivic, KMI
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Pro Forma Information	The information in the following table represents the revenue, net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Actua Corporation and the net income (loss) from continuing operations per diluted share attributable to Actua Corporation for the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, had Actua owned FolioDynamix, Bolt owned Ludwig, GovDelivery owned NuCivic and MSDSonline owned KMI during that entire period. The information for the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 is shown for comparative purposes only.
			Three Months Ended March 31,
			2015			2014
			(in thousands, except per share data)
	Revenue		$	30.6		$	26.6
	Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Actua		$	(14.8	)	$	(11.8	)
	Corporation
	Net income (loss) from continuing operations per diluted share		$	(0.40	)	$	(0.32	)
	attributable to Actua Corporation

Equity_and_Cost_Method_Busines1

Equity and Cost Method Businesses (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity Method Investments And Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Summarized Financial Information Related to Companies Accounted for Under Equity Method of Accounting	The following unaudited summarized financial information relates to, and has been compiled from the financial statements of, Actua’s businesses accounted for under the equity method of accounting as of December 31, 2014. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, Actua received a loan repayment from Acquirgy, Inc. (“Acquirgy”) in the amount of $0.4 million. Acquirgy is in the process of winding down its operations, and Actua does not expect to receive any proceeds in connection with the wind-down.
	Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
		December 31,
		2014 (1)
		(in thousands)
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	4,487
	Other current assets		966
	Non-current assets		51
	Total assets	$	5,504
	Current liabilities (including current portion of long-term debt)	$	9,411
	Non-current liabilities		57
	Long-term debt		-
	Stockholders' deficit		(3,964	)
	Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	$	5,504
	Total carrying value	$	-
	—	Includes (Actua voting ownership): Acquirgy (25%).
Results of Operations	Results of Operations (Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended
		March 31, 2014 (1)
		(in thousands)
	Revenue	$	2,554
	Net income (loss)	$	(441	)
	Equity income (loss) excluding impairments and
	amortization of intangible assets	$	(264	)
	Amortization of intangible assets		(48	)
	Total equity income (loss)	$	(312	)
	(1)	Includes Acquirgy, which ceased operations in 2015, and CIML, LLC (“CIML”), which ceased operations in 2014.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Hierarchy of Financial Assets Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	The fair value hierarchy of Actua’s financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was as follows (in thousands):
					Valuation
		Asset (liability) at			Technique
		31-Mar-15			(Approach)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Cash equivalents (money market accounts)	$	71,975		Market	$	71,975	$	-	$	-
	Acquisition contingent consideration obligations		(3,260	)	Income		-		-		(3,260	)
		$	68,715			$	71,975	$	-	$	(3,260	)
					Valuation
		Asset (liability) at			Technique
		31-Dec-14			(Approach)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Cash equivalents (money market accounts)	$	77,935		Market	$	77,935	$	-	$	-
	Acquisition contingent consideration obligations		(3,088	)	Income		-		-		(3,088	)
		$	74,847			$	77,935	$	-	$	(3,088	)

EquityBased_Compensation_Table

Equity-Based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Summary of Equity-Based Compensation	Equity-based compensation by expense line item on Actua’s Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands):
			Three Months Ended March 31,
			2015				2014
	Cost of revenue		$	26			$	19
	Sales and marketing			58				41
	General and administrative			7,093				3,788
	Research and development			45				28
	Total Equity-Based Compensation		$	7,222			$	3,876
	Equity-based compensation by equity award type (in thousands, except weighted average years):
			Three Months Ended March 31,							Unrecognized Equity-Based Compensation as of			Weighted Average Years Remaining of Equity-Based Compensation as of
			2015				2014			Mar. 31, 2015			Mar. 31, 2015
	Restricted Stock		$	6,655			$	3,293		$	37,632			2.09
	SARs			147				250			386			1.32
	DSUs			17				146			-			-
				6,819				3,689			38,018
	Equity-Based Compensation for Consolidated Businesses			403				187			4,687			3.06
	Total Equity-Based Compensation		$	7,222			$	3,876		$	42,705
Changes in Restricted Stock	Share activity with respect to restricted stock awards for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015							2014
		Number of Shares				Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value			Number of Shares			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
	Granted		441,256			$	16.21			3,095,948		$	17.21
	Vested		644,247			$	19.7			175,771		$	12.68
	Forfeited		43,660			$	17.85			366,666		$	9.96
Issued And Unvested Shares Of Restricted Stock Granted	As of March 31, 2015, issued and unvested shares of restricted stock granted to Actua’s employees vest as follows:
	Number of Shares Unvested				Vesting Conditions
		1,714,366			Subject to certain market conditions, as discussed below
		503,315			Subject to certain performance conditions, as discussed below
		1,157,035			25% each year for four years on the anniversary of the grant date
		91,666			50% in each of May 2015 and November 2015
		24,042			One-third in each of September 2015, March 2016 and September 2016
		18,200			100% in July 2015 (granted to Actua's Board of Directors, see subsection below)
		3,508,624
Changes in Stock Appreciation Rights
	Activity with respect to SARs during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015										2014
		Number of SARs				Weighted Average Base Price			Weighted Average Fair Value			Number of SARs			Weighted Average Base Price		Weighted Average Fair Value
	Granted		1,500			$	16.69		$	8.99			-		$	-	$	-
	Exercised (1)		7,897			$	10.61		$	5.72			293,925		$	8.07	$	4.7
	(1)	The exercise of SARs listed in the three-month period table resulted in the issuance of 1,869 shares and 120,459 shares of Actua’s Common Stock during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Assumptions Used to Determine Fair Value of Stock Appreciation Rights Granted to Employees	The following assumptions were used to determine the fair value of SARs granted to employees by Actua during the three-month period ended March 31, 2015:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015
	Expected volatility		56	%
	Average expected life of SAR (in years)		6.13
	Risk-free interest rate		1.51	%
	Dividend yield		-	%

Net_Income_Loss_per_Share_Tabl

Net Income (Loss) per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Calculations of Net Income (Loss) Per Share	The calculations of net income (loss) per share were as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands, except per share data)
	Basic and Diluted:
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	(14,765	)	$	(10,198	)
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations		-			48
	Net income (loss) attributable to Actua Corporation	$	(14,765	)	$	(10,150	)
	Basic and Diluted:
	Income (loss) from continuing operations per share	$	(0.40	)	$	(0.27	)
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations per share		-			0
	Net income (loss) attributable to Actua Corporation per share	$	(0.40	)	$	(0.27	)
	Shares used in computation of basis and diluted income (loss) per share		36,842			37,096
Potentially Dilutive Securities Not Included in Computation of Diluted Net Loss Per Share	The following potentially dilutive securities were not included in the computation of diluted net loss per share, as their effect would have been anti-dilutive:
		Units			Weighted Average
		(in thousands)			Price per Share
	Three months ended March 31, 2015
	SARs		542		$	10.72
	Restricted stock (1)		3,509		$	-
	Three months ended March 31, 2014
	SARs		939		$	9.1
	Restricted stock (1)		3,739		$	-
	DSUs		23		$	-
	(1)	Anti-dilutive securities include contingently issuable shares unvested as of March 31, 2015 and 2014, the vesting of which is based on performance conditions and market conditions that have not yet been achieved. See Note 9, “Equity-Based Compensation.”

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Summary of Selected Information Related to Segments	The following summarizes selected information related to Actua’s segments for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. The amounts presented as “Dispositions” in the following table represent businesses reported as discontinued operations and/or Actua’s share of businesses’ results that had been accounted for under the equity method of accounting but were disposed of. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, Actua received a working capital adjustment of less than $0.1 million related to the sale of Procurian. That amount was recorded as a gain and is included in the line item “”Income (loss) from discontinued operations, including gain on sale, net of tax” in the Consolidated Financial Statements for the three-month period ended March 31, 2014. CIML was accounted for under the equity method of accounting until it ceased operations in September 2014. The gain related to the Procurian working capital adjustment reported as discontinued operations, as well as Actua’s share of CIML’s results (including the related intangible amortization recorded by Actua), which was removed from the vertical cloud (venture) segment, are included in “Dispositions” in the segment information table below for the relevant periods presented.
		Segment Information
		(in thousands)
													Reconciling Items
		Vertical Cloud				Vertical Cloud				Total			Dispositions			Other (1)			Consolidated
						(Venture)				Segment
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	Revenue	$	30,592			$	-			$	30,592		$	-		$	-		$	30,592
	Net income (loss) attributable to	$	(7,947	)		$	-			$	(7,947	)	$	-		$	(6,818	)	$	(14,765	)
	Actua Corporation
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Revenue	$	18,422			$	-			$	18,422		$	-		$	-		$	18,422
	Net income (loss) attributable to	$	(4,614	)		$	-			$	(4,614	)	$	(264	)	$	(5,272	)	$	(10,150	)
	Actua Corporation
	(1) The following table reflects the components of Net income (loss) attributable to Actua Corporation included in Other (in thousands):
			Three Months Ended March 31,
			2015				2014
	General and administrative		$	(9,291	)		$	(6,551	)
	Impairment related and other			(95	)			-
	Corporate other income (loss) (Note 10)			1,390				294
	Interest income			18				81
	Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest			1,160				904
	Net income (loss)		$	(6,818	)		$	(5,272	)
		Vertical Cloud				Vertical Cloud (Venture)				Total Segment			Dispositions			Other			Consolidated Results
	Assets as of:
	31-Mar-15	$	427,399			$	16,617			$	444,016		$	2,989		$	66,020		$	513,025
	December 31, 2014	$	418,063			$	16,117			$	434,180		$	2,998		$	91,920		$	529,098

Significant_Accounting_Policie2

Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
	Customer	Customer
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Expiry period of contingent gains associated with outstanding escrows	2016
Actua's Consolidated Revenue
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of customers represented for more than 10% of consolidated revenue	0	0
Channel Intelligence
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Proceeds from escrow releases	4
MSDSonline One
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of sources of revenues	2
Maintenance and customer support fees, contract life	1 year
FolioDynamix
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Initial subscription arrangement, Minimum	3 years
Initial subscription arrangement, Maximum	5 years

Summary_of_Activity_Related_to

Summary of Activity Related to Goodwill (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill, Gross Carrying Amount Beginning Balance	$265,247	$265,247
Goodwill, Gross Carrying Amount Ending Balance	265,247	265,247
Goodwill, Accumulated Impairment Losses Beginning Balance	-304	-304
Goodwill, Accumulated Impairment Losses Ending Balance	-304	-304
Goodwill, Net Carrying Amount Beginning Balance	264,943	264,943
Goodwill, Net Carrying Amount Ending Balance	$264,943	$264,943

Summary_of_Intangible_Assets_f

Summary of Intangible Assets from Continuing Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Acquired Finite And Indefinite Lived Assets Liabilities [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets, Gross Carrying Amount	128,394		128,394
Finite intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	-30,785		-26,769
Finite intangible assets, Net Carrying Amount	97,609		101,625
Intangible assets gross excluding goodwill	129,094		129,094
Intangible assets, net	98,309		102,325
Other Intellectual Property
Acquired Finite And Indefinite Lived Assets Liabilities [Line Items]
Indefinite intangible assets, Net Carrying Amount	700	[1]
Customer Relationships
Acquired Finite And Indefinite Lived Assets Liabilities [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets, Gross Carrying Amount	74,948		74,948
Finite intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	-16,889		-14,817
Finite intangible assets, Net Carrying Amount	58,059		60,131
Customer Relationships | Minimum
Acquired Finite And Indefinite Lived Assets Liabilities [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets, useful life	1 year		1 year
Customer Relationships | Maximum
Acquired Finite And Indefinite Lived Assets Liabilities [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets, useful life	11 years		11 years
Trademarks/trade names
Acquired Finite And Indefinite Lived Assets Liabilities [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets, Gross Carrying Amount	24,543		24,543
Finite intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	-5,177		-4,322
Finite intangible assets, Net Carrying Amount	19,366		20,221
Trademarks/trade names | Minimum
Acquired Finite And Indefinite Lived Assets Liabilities [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets, useful life	3 years		3 years
Trademarks/trade names | Maximum
Acquired Finite And Indefinite Lived Assets Liabilities [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets, useful life	11 years		11 years
Technology
Acquired Finite And Indefinite Lived Assets Liabilities [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets, Gross Carrying Amount	25,223		25,223
Finite intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	-5,198		-4,263
Finite intangible assets, Net Carrying Amount	20,025		20,960
Technology | Minimum
Acquired Finite And Indefinite Lived Assets Liabilities [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets, useful life	5 years		5 years
Technology | Maximum
Acquired Finite And Indefinite Lived Assets Liabilities [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets, useful life	10 years		10 years
Non-compete agreements
Acquired Finite And Indefinite Lived Assets Liabilities [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets, Gross Carrying Amount	3,680		3,680
Finite intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	-3,521		-3,367
Finite intangible assets, Net Carrying Amount	159		313
Non-compete agreements | Minimum
Acquired Finite And Indefinite Lived Assets Liabilities [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets, useful life	2 years		2 years
Non-compete agreements | Maximum
Acquired Finite And Indefinite Lived Assets Liabilities [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets, useful life	5 years		5 years
[1]	One of the assets included in this line item is no longer considered to have an indefinite life following Actua’s name change on September 2, 2014. However, Actua estimated that the residual value of this asset approximated its carrying value of $0.4 million as of both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

Summary_of_Intangible_Assets_f1

Summary of Intangible Assets from Continuing Operations (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Estimated salvage value of the asset	$0.40	$0.40

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets2

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Amortization of intangibles assets	$4,016	$2,301

Remaining_Estimated_Amortizati

Remaining Estimated Amortization Expense (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
2015 (remaining nine months)	$11,123
2016	13,813
2017	13,389
2018	12,130
2019	11,333
Thereafter	35,821
Finite intangible assets, Net Carrying Amount	$97,609

Consolidated_Businesses_Additi

Consolidated Businesses - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
	Nov. 03, 2014	Aug. 08, 2014	Oct. 01, 2014	Dec. 17, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015
FolioDynamix
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition, consideration transferred	$205,824,000
Rolled stock options acquired	4,100,000
Business acquisition purchase price allocation, goodwill not deductible for tax purposes	166,200,000
Business acquisition, transaction costs	1,400,000
Deferred revenue, reduced amount	-6,000,000
Business combination, revenue contributed	3,800,000
Business combination, net income contributed	1,100,000
Purchase price allocation assets acquired	205,824,000
Cash paid for acquisition	201,699,000
FolioDynamix | Scenario, Adjustment
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Working capital adjustment	700,000
MSDSonline One
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase price allocation assets acquired		11,500,000
MSDSonline One | Maximum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Contingent earn-out payment		2,000,000
Bolt
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash paid for acquisition			2,100,000
NuCivic
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition, consideration transferred				5,100,000
Purchase price allocation assets acquired					2,000,000
Cash paid for acquisition				2,000,000
Deferred liability Charges				600,000
Business acquisition, stock issued				$3,100,000

Preliminary_Allocation_of_Cons

Preliminary Allocation of Consideration Paid and Estimated Fair Value of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 03, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
Goodwill		$264,943	$264,943
FolioDynamix
Consideration:
Cash consideration (including $0.7 million of working capital adjustment paid in 2015)	201,699
Fair value of stock options of FolioDynamix	4,125
Business acquisition, consideration transferred	205,824
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
Financial assets	9,324
Property, plant and equipment	1,581
Financial liabilities	-14,397
Contingent consideration	-1,870
Deferred tax liability	-1,585
Total identifiable net assets	39,653
Goodwill	166,171
Purchase price allocation assets acquired	205,824
FolioDynamix | Customer lists
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
Intangible assets	23,300
FolioDynamix | Trademarks/trade names
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
Intangible assets	8,100
FolioDynamix | Technology
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
Intangible assets	$15,200

Preliminary_Allocation_of_Cons1

Preliminary Allocation of Consideration Paid and Estimated Fair Value of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Parenthetical) (Detail) (FolioDynamix, USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 03, 2014
Scenario, Adjustment
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Working capital adjustment	$0.70
Customer lists
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets, useful life	10 years
Trademarks/trade names
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets, useful life	5 years
Technology
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets, useful life	8 years

Allocations_of_Purchase_Price_

Allocations of Purchase Price to Identified Intangible Assets and Tangible Assets and Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Net assets acquired:
Goodwill	$264,943	$264,943
KMI
Net assets acquired:
Goodwill	6,735
Other net assets (liabilities)	1,165
Purchase price allocation assets acquired	11,500
KMI | Customer lists
Net assets acquired:
Intangible assets	2,900
KMI | Trademarks/trade names
Net assets acquired:
Intangible assets	300
KMI | Technology
Net assets acquired:
Intangible assets	400
Ludwig
Net assets acquired:
Goodwill	314
Purchase price allocation assets acquired	3,136
Ludwig | Customer lists
Net assets acquired:
Intangible assets	2,658
Ludwig | Non-compete agreements
Net assets acquired:
Intangible assets	164
NuCivic
Net assets acquired:
Goodwill	1,257
Other net assets (liabilities)	197
Purchase price allocation assets acquired	2,000
NuCivic | Customer lists
Net assets acquired:
Intangible assets	202
NuCivic | Trademarks/trade names
Net assets acquired:
Intangible assets	330
NuCivic | Non-compete agreements
Net assets acquired:
Intangible assets	$14

Allocations_of_Purchase_Price_1

Allocations of Purchase Price to Identified Intangible Assets and Tangible Assets and Liabilities (Parenthetical) (Detail)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Customer lists | KMI | Minimum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets, useful life	5 years
Customer lists | KMI | Maximum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets, useful life	11 years
Customer lists | Ludwig | Minimum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets, useful life	5 years
Customer lists | Ludwig | Maximum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets, useful life	11 years
Customer lists | NuCivic | Minimum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets, useful life	5 years
Customer lists | NuCivic | Maximum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets, useful life	11 years
Trademarks/trade names | Minimum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets, useful life	3 years	3 years
Trademarks/trade names | Maximum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets, useful life	11 years	11 years
Trademarks/trade names | KMI | Minimum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets, useful life	5 years
Trademarks/trade names | KMI | Maximum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets, useful life	11 years
Trademarks/trade names | Ludwig | Minimum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets, useful life	5 years
Trademarks/trade names | Ludwig | Maximum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets, useful life	11 years
Trademarks/trade names | NuCivic | Minimum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets, useful life	5 years
Trademarks/trade names | NuCivic | Maximum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets, useful life	11 years
Technology | Minimum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets, useful life	5 years	5 years
Technology | Maximum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets, useful life	10 years	10 years
Technology | KMI
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets, useful life	5 years
Technology | Ludwig
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets, useful life	5 years
Technology | NuCivic
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets, useful life	5 years
Non-compete agreements | Minimum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets, useful life	2 years	2 years
Non-compete agreements | Maximum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets, useful life	5 years	5 years
Non-compete agreements | KMI
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets, useful life	5 years
Non-compete agreements | Ludwig
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets, useful life	5 years
Non-compete agreements | NuCivic
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets, useful life	5 years

Reconciliation_of_Activity_Rel

Reconciliation of Activity Related to Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Reconciliation activity related to the redeemable non controlling interest
Beginning Balance	$6,221
Accretion to estimated redemption value	-1,303	-594
Impact of subsidiary equity transactions	626	-132
Ending Balance	3,486
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest
Reconciliation activity related to the redeemable non controlling interest
Beginning Balance	6,221	3,442
Redeemable noncontrolling interest portion of subsidiary net income/(loss)	-68	11
Accretion to estimated redemption value	1,303	594
Equity transfer among owners	-3,339
Impact of subsidiary equity transactions	-631	7
Ending Balance	$3,486	$4,054

Pro_Forma_Information_Detail

Pro Forma Information (Detail) (FolioDynamix, NuCivic, KMI, USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
FolioDynamix, NuCivic, KMI
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenue	$30,600	$26,600
Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Actua Corporation	($14,800)	($11,800)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations per diluted share attributable to Actua Corporation	($0.40)	($0.32)

Equity_and_Cost_Method_Busines2

Equity and Cost Method Businesses - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Carrying value of holdings in cost method companies	$18,100,000		$17,700,000
Impairment of equity method investment	0	0
Impairment of cost method investment	0	0
Acquirgy
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Loan repayment from Acquirgy, Inc.	400,000
Anthem
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Carrying value of holdings in cost method companies	0
Fair value of active common stock remaining	9.00%
Anthem | Other income (loss), net
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Proceeds from cost method investment	$1,000,000

Summarized_Financial_Informati

Summarized Financial Information Related to Companies Accounted for Under Equity Method of Accounting (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Non-current assets	$51	[1]
Total assets	5,504	[1]
Current liabilities (including current portion of long-term debt)	9,411	[1]
Non-current liabilities	57	[1]
Stockholders' deficit	-3,964	[1]
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	5,504	[1]
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Current assets	4,487	[1]
Other Current Assets
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Current assets	$966	[1]
[1]	Includes (Actua voting ownership): Acquirgy (25%)

Summarized_Financial_Informati1

Summarized Financial Information Related to Companies Accounted for Under Equity Method of Accounting (Parenthetical) (Detail) (Acquirgy)	Dec. 31, 2014
Acquirgy
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage	25.00%

Results_of_Operations_Detail

Results of Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity Method Investments And Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Revenue	$2,554	[1]
Net income (loss)	-441	[1]
Equity income (loss) excluding impairments and amortization of intangible assets	-264	[1]
Amortization of intangible assets	-48	[1]
Total equity income (loss)	($312)	[1]
[1]	Includes Acquirgy, which ceased operations in 2015, and CIML, LLC (“CIML”), which ceased operations in 2014.

Fair_Value_Hierarchy_of_Financ

Fair Value Hierarchy of Financial Assets Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring, USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents (money market accounts)	71,975	$77,935
Acquisition contingent consideration obligations	-3,260	-3,088
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis, Total	68,715	74,847
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents (money market accounts)	71,975	77,935
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis, Total	71,975	77,935
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Acquisition contingent consideration obligations	-3,260	-3,088
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis, Total	-3,260	($3,088)
Cash Equivalents
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Valuation Technique (Approach)	Market
Acquisition Contingent Consideration Obligations
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Valuation Technique (Approach)	Income

Fair_Value_Measurements_Additi

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Monte Carlo Simulation Models
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Contingent consideration liability	$3,300
Minimum
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Contingent consideration liability	1,500
Maximum
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Contingent consideration liability	$5,500

Debt_Additional_Information_De

Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	Aug. 09, 2013	Jan. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit outstanding amount			$500,000	$500,000
Line of credit outstanding amount			820,000
Neurone | Term Loan Credit Facility
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit	500,000
Loan interest rate	8.00%
Loans maturity date	9-Aug-14
Debt instrument extended maturity date	9-Aug-15
Fair value of line of credit			500,000	500,000
Line of credit outstanding amount			500,000	500,000
Neurone | Additional Term Loan Credit Facility
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit		800,000
Loan interest rate		8.00%
Loans maturity date		1-May-16
Fair value of line of credit			800,000
Line of credit outstanding amount			$800,000

Treasury_Stock_Additional_Info

Treasury Stock - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		87 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity Class Of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Common stock amount authorized under repurchase program, value	$94.70		$94.70
Stock repurchased during period, shares	96,277	0	5,987,849
Average stock price of shares repurchased	$17.66		$9.23
Maximum
Equity Class Of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Common stock amount authorized under repurchase program, value	$150		$150

EquityBased_Compensation_Addit

Equity-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	15 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2011	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 13, 2011	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of SARs Outstanding	3,508,624								3,508,624
Volume weighted average price targets	28.07, $30.16, $32.38 and $34.71
VWAP price target declaration	prior to February 28, 2016, half of the applicable shares will vest on the date of achievement of the VWAP target, and the remaining half of the shares that would have vested upon achieving the VWAP target will instead vest on February 28, 2016.
Unrecognized Equity-Based Compensation	$42,705,000								$42,705,000
NuCivic
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock awards vesting period	4 years
SARs, Granted	3,100,000
Consolidated Entities
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock awards vesting period	4 years
Common Stock
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares awarded	20,000
Share based compensation expense	300,000
First Anniversary | Consolidated Entities
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
SARs vesting percentage	25.00%
Over Three Years | Consolidated Entities
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock awards vesting period	36 months
SARs vesting percentage	75.00%
First Vesting
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of SARs Outstanding	1,714,366								1,714,366
Vesting Conditions	Subject to certain market conditions, as discussed below
Second Vesting
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of SARs Outstanding	503,315								503,315
Vesting Conditions	Subject to certain performance conditions, as discussed below
Each Anniversary | Consolidated Entities
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
SARs vesting percentage	25.00%
2011 Executive Performance-Based Awards
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of SARs Outstanding						366,666
Recorded equity compensation cost related to awards			1,500,000
Non-Management Director Compensation Plan
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted average price per share				$13.09
Weighted Average Fair Value, Granted				$17.63
Stock Options
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock awards vesting period	4 years
Stock options outstanding	250								250	250
Stock Options | First Anniversary
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
SARs vesting percentage	25.00%
Stock Options | Over Three Years
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock awards vesting period	36 months
SARs vesting percentage	75.00%
Stock Options | Minimum
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock awards vesting period	1 year
Expiry period of incentive or non-qualified stock options granted from date of grant	8 years
Stock Options | Maximum
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock awards vesting period	4 years
Expiry period of incentive or non-qualified stock options granted from date of grant	10 years
Restricted Stock Award
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of SARs Outstanding	3,508,624								3,508,624	3,755,275
Restricted Stock
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
SARs, Granted	441,256			3,095,948
Weighted average price per share	$19.70			$12.68
Unrecognized Equity-Based Compensation	37,632,000								37,632,000
Number of Shares, Vested	644,247			175,771
Number of Shares, Forfeited	43,660			366,666
Weighted Average Fair Value, Granted	$16.21			$17.21
Restricted Stock | Vest on various anniversaries
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of SARs Outstanding	43,435								43,435
Restricted Stock | Chief Executive Officer And President
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of SARs Outstanding	91,666								91,666
Restricted Stock | Executives
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock awards vesting period	4 years
SARs, Granted	20,000
Restricted Stock | Employees including Executive officers
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
SARs, Granted				1,377,500
Equity based compensation expected to be recognized remainder of year	5,200,000
Equity based compensation expected to be recognized in 2016	7,000,000
Number of Shares, Vested	344,375
Unrecognized Equity-based compensation	20,400,000								20,400,000
Equity based compensation expected to be recognized in 2017	7,000,000
Equity based compensation expected to be recognized in 2018	1,200,000
Restricted Stock | Non-Management Employees
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock awards vesting period	4 years
SARs, Granted	4,000
Restricted Stock | Employees
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of SARs Outstanding	24,042								24,042
Restricted Stock | Awards with Market Conditions | Chief Executive Officer And President
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
SARs, Granted						366,666
Percentage of shares of restricted stock to vest upon achievement of performance condition						40.00%
Restricted Stock | 2014 Management Market-Based Awards
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of SARs Outstanding				1,277,500
Unrecognized Equity-Based Compensation	6,800,000								6,800,000
Equity based compensation expected to be recognized remainder of year	6,100,000
Equity based compensation expected to be recognized in 2016	700,000
Restricted Stock | 2014 Employee Market-Based Awards
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
SARs, Granted							50,200
Restricted Stock | 2014 Management and Employee Market Based Awards.
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
SARs, Granted	20,000
Restricted Stock | Performance metrics of Gov Delivery for 2014 and 2015
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
SARs, Granted				244,506
Number of Shares, Vested				56,587
Number of Shares, Forfeited				43,660
Restricted Stock | Performance metrics of Gov Delivery for 2014 and 2015 | Vesting In First Quarter Twenty Fifteen
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
SARs, Granted				100,247
Restricted Stock | Performance metrics of Gov Delivery for 2014 and 2015 | Vesting In First Quarter Twenty Sixteen
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
SARs, Granted				144,259
Restricted Stock | Performance Based Plan Two Thousand Fourteen
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
SARs, Granted	158,942
Weighted average price per share	$20.33
Percentage of shares of restricted stock to vest upon achievement of performance condition				10000.00%
Vesting Conditions	(1) was greater than or equal to 100%, all of the employee’s 2014 Performance Shares would have vested or (2) was greater than 0% but less than 100%, a portion of that employee’s 2014 Performance Shares would have vested, as determined by the Compensation Committee of Actua’s Board of Directors
Restricted Stock | Performance Based Plan Two Thousand Fifteen
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
SARs, Granted	316,715
Weighted average price per share	$16.76
Percentage of shares of restricted stock to vest upon achievement of performance condition	15000.00%								15000.00%
Vesting Conditions	(1) is greater than or equal to 150%, all of that employee’s 2015 Performance Shares will vest or (2) is greater than 0% but less than 150%, a portion of that employee’s 2015 Performance Shares will vest
Restricted Stock | Performance Based Plan | Executives
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
SARs, Granted	42,341
Restricted Stock | Non-Management Director Compensation Plan
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock awards vesting period								6 months
SARs, Granted				37,500				18,200
Number of Shares, Vested	37,500
Number of Shares, Granted and vested				30,750
Restricted Stock | Non-Management Director Compensation Plan | Board of Directors
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
SARs, Granted				37,500
Restricted Stock | Time-based awards | Non-Management Employees
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock awards vesting period							4 years
SARs, Granted	18,825						76,200
Number of Shares, Forfeited				900
Restricted Stock | Second Amended and Restated Non-Management Director Compensation Plan (the “Amended Director Plan”)
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of SARs Outstanding	18,200								18,200
Restricted Stock | Minimum | Performance Based Plan Two Thousand Fourteen | Condition One
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of financial targets to be achieved for participants to receive award	100.00%
Restricted Stock | Minimum | Performance Based Plan Two Thousand Fifteen
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of financial targets to be achieved for participants to receive award	150.00%
Restricted Stock | Maximum | Awards with Market Conditions | Chief Executive Officer And President
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted average price per share						25
Restricted Stock | Maximum | Performance Based Plan Two Thousand Fourteen | Condition Two
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of financial targets to be achieved for participants to receive award	100.00%
Restricted Stock | Maximum | Performance Based Plan Two Thousand Fifteen
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of financial targets to be achieved for participants to receive award	150.00%
SARs
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
SARs, Granted	1,500								500
Unrecognized Equity-Based Compensation	386,000								386,000
Number of Shares, Vested	7,897	[1]		293,925	[1]
SARs outstanding	542,085								542,085	548,482
Aggregate intrinsic value of SARs outstanding	$4,200,000								$4,200,000	4,300,000
Weighted Average Fair Value, Granted	$8.99
Deferred Stock Units
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Change of non-management director service grant shares								22,500
Deferred Stock Units | Second Vesting
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Shares, Vested								15,000
Deferred Stock Units | Non-Management Director Compensation Plan
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of SARs Outstanding	0								0	22,500
SARs, Granted				22,500
Number of Shares, Vested	22,500
Number of Shares, Granted and vested				29,250
Stock issued for services	4,469			5,913
Deferred Stock Units | Prior Director Plan
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Change of non-management director service grant shares								7,500
Deferred Stock Units | Prior Director Plan | First Vesting
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Shares, Vested								7,500
[1]	The exercise of SARs listed in the three-month period table resulted in the issuance of 1,869 shares and 120,459 shares of Actua’s Common Stock during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Summary_of_EquityBased_Compens

Summary of Equity-Based Compensation (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Equity-Based Compensation	$7,222	$3,876
Unrecognized Equity-Based Compensation	42,705
Restricted Stock
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Equity-Based Compensation	6,655	3,293
Unrecognized Equity-Based Compensation	37,632
Weighted Average Years Remaining of Equity-Based Compensation	2 years 1 month 2 days
SARs
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Equity-Based Compensation	147	250
Unrecognized Equity-Based Compensation	386
Weighted Average Years Remaining of Equity-Based Compensation	1 year 3 months 26 days
DSUs
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Equity-Based Compensation	17	146
Parent Company
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Equity-Based Compensation	6,819	3,689
Unrecognized Equity-Based Compensation	38,018
Subsidiaries
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Equity-Based Compensation	403	187
Unrecognized Equity-Based Compensation	4,687
Weighted Average Years Remaining of Equity-Based Compensation	3 years 22 days
Cost of revenue
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Equity-Based Compensation	26	19
Sales and marketing
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Equity-Based Compensation	58	41
General and administrative
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Equity-Based Compensation	7,093	3,788
Research and development
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Equity-Based Compensation	$45	$28

Changes_in_Restricted_Stock_De

Changes in Restricted Stock (Detail) (Restricted Stock, USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Restricted Stock
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Shares, Granted	441,256	3,095,948
Number of Shares, Vested	644,247	175,771
Number of Shares, Forfeited	43,660	366,666
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	$16.21	$17.21
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested	$19.70	$12.68
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Forfeited	$17.85	$9.96

Issued_And_Unvested_Shares_Of_

Issued And Unvested Shares Of Restricted Stock Granted (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Shares Unvested	3,508,624
First Vesting
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Shares Unvested	1,714,366
Vesting Conditions	Subject to certain market conditions, as discussed below
Second Vesting
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Shares Unvested	503,315
Vesting Conditions	Subject to certain performance conditions, as discussed below
Third Vesting
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Shares Unvested	1,157,035
Vesting Conditions	25% each year for four years on the anniversary of the grant date
Fourth Vesting
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Shares Unvested	91,666
Vesting Conditions	50% in each of May 2015 and November 2015
Fifth Vesting
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Shares Unvested	24,042
Vesting Conditions	One-third in each of September 2015, March 2016 and September 2016
Sixth Vesting
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Shares Unvested	18,200
Vesting Conditions	100% in July 2015 (granted to Actua's Board of Directors, see subsection below)

Changes_in_Stock_Appreciation_

Changes in Stock Appreciation Rights (Detail) (SARs, USD $)	3 Months Ended				15 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2015
SARs
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
SARs, Granted	1,500				500
Number of Shares, Vested	7,897	[1]	293,925	[1]
Weighted Average Base Price, Granted	$16.69
Weighted Average Base Price, Exercised	$10.61	[1]	$8.07	[1]
Weighted Average Fair Value, Granted	$8.99
Weighted Average Fair Value, Exercised	$5.72	[1]	$4.70	[1]
[1]	The exercise of SARs listed in the three-month period table resulted in the issuance of 1,869 shares and 120,459 shares of Actua’s Common Stock during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Changes_in_Stock_Appreciation_1

Changes in Stock Appreciation Rights (Parenthetical) (Detail) (SARs)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
SARs
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock issued upon exercise of SARs	1,869	120,459

Assumptions_Used_to_Determine_

Assumptions Used to Determine Fair Value of Stock Appreciation Rights Granted to Employees (Detail) (SARs)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
SARs
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected volatility	56.00%
Average expected life of SAR (in years)	6 years 3 months
Risk-free interest rate	1.51%

Other_Income_Loss_Additional_I

Other Income (Loss) - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Anthem
Schedule Of Other Nonoperating Income Expense [Line Items]
Proceeds from sales / distributions of ownership interests	$1
Acquirgy
Schedule Of Other Nonoperating Income Expense [Line Items]
Loan repayment from equity / cost method investment	0.4
StarCite
Schedule Of Other Nonoperating Income Expense [Line Items]
Proceeds from sales / distributions of ownership interests		$0.30

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income tax benefit from continuing operations	$0	$0

Calculations_of_Net_Income_Los

Calculations of Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Basic and Diluted:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	($14,765)	($10,198)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations		48
Net income (loss) attributable to Actua Corporation	($14,765)	($10,150)
Income (loss) from continuing operations per share	($0.40)	($0.27)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations per share		$0
Net income (loss) attributable to Actua Corporation per share	($0.40)	($0.27)
Shares used in computation of basis and diluted income (loss) per share	36,842	37,096

Potentially_Dilutive_Securitie

Potentially Dilutive Securities Not Included in Computation of Diluted Net Loss Per Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
SARs
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti dilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Shares	542		939
Anti Dilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Weighted Average Price	$10.72		$9.10
Restricted Stock
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti dilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Shares	3,509	[1]	3,739	[1]
DSUs
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti dilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Shares			23
[1]	Anti-dilutive securities include contingently issuable shares unvested as of March 31, 2015 and 2014, the vesting of which is based on performance conditions and market conditions that have not yet been achieved. See Note 9, “Equity-Based Compensation.”

Segment_Information_Additional

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
	Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reporting segments	2
Revenue	$30,592	$18,422
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, including gain on sale, net of tax		48
Procurian | Maximum
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, including gain on sale, net of tax		100
Europe and Canada
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$1,600	$800

Summary_of_Selected_Informatio

Summary of Selected Information Related to Segments (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$30,592		$18,422
Net income (loss) attributable to Actua Corporation	-14,765		-10,150
Assets	513,025				529,098
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	30,592		18,422
Net income (loss) attributable to Actua Corporation	-7,947		-4,614
Assets	444,016				434,180
Vertical Cloud | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	30,592		18,422
Net income (loss) attributable to Actua Corporation	-7,947		-4,614
Assets	427,399				418,063
Vertical Cloud Venture | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	16,617				16,117
Dispositions
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	2,989				2,998
Dispositions | Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net income (loss) attributable to Actua Corporation			-264
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net income (loss) attributable to Actua Corporation	-6,818		-5,272
Assets	66,020				91,920
Other | Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net income (loss) attributable to Actua Corporation	($6,818)	[1]	($5,272)	[1]
[1]	The following table reflects the components of Net income (loss) attributable to Actua Corporation included in Other (in thousands):

Summary_of_Selected_Informatio1

Summary of Selected Information Related to Segments (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net income (loss) attributable to Actua Corporation	($14,765)	($10,150)
General and administrative
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net income (loss) attributable to Actua Corporation	-9,291	-6,551
Interest income
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net income (loss) attributable to Actua Corporation	18	81
Impairment related and other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net income (loss) attributable to Actua Corporation	-95
Corporate other income (loss)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net income (loss) attributable to Actua Corporation	1,390	294
Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net income (loss) attributable to Actua Corporation	1,160	904
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net income (loss) attributable to Actua Corporation	($6,818)	($5,272)

Contingencies_Additional_Infor

Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
	InterestPlans
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Carried interest plans	2
Carried interest rate	0.15
Plan investment deployed amount approximately		$25.50
Maximum
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Plan investment deployed amount approximately	86