KLIQ, a no-code business infrastructure platform for creators and solopreneurs to launch their own-branded apps and independently engage with their audience and customers, announced €1.4 million in funding to make it easy for creators to build a sustainable business independent from leading social media platforms.
The pre-seed round was led by Serena Ventures, the early-stage venture capital fund established by champion tennis player Serena Williams, which focuses on founders from overlooked backgrounds. Existing investors include Techstars and international sports stars including former England and Arsenal football player Kieran Gibbs.
The London-based startup will use the funding from this round to continue developing its product with a specific focus on its AI integrations. Additionally, KLIQ plans to expand its team with key members and to focus on go-to market activation.
KLIQ, founded in 2022 and previously known as Remote Coach, is designed for creators, whatever their niche, who are passionate about sharing educational and exclusive content to help those in their community grow and learn. KLIQ provides the infrastructure for creators to nurture and grow a customer base effectively and take control of their own business to reduce reliance on big tech platforms.
“KLIQ’s mission is to shift the creator paradigm from content generation to comprehensive business ownership,” said KLIQ founder and CEO Ben Camara. Amidst the backdrop of a potential TikTok ban and the volatility of digital advertising, KLIQ’s proposition has never been more compelling. “We’re not just helping people create content; it’s about creating a business,” Camara added.
Up for grabs is a creator economy expected to double in the next five years to half-a-trillion dollars, with the lion’s share of that accruing to a very small group of top tier creators, as well as the big social media platforms from things like digital advertising, influencer marketing, and platform payouts. KLIQ seeks to address this imbalance by creating opportunities for creators at any level to generate an income from sharing their knowledge online.
According to Goldman Sachs, only around 4% of the creator economy earners are considered professionals, making over $100,000 annually. Top creators often make most of their money off-platform, leveraging their audience elsewhere, which KLIQ facilitates by providing various monetization and engagement tools.
KLIQ underlines the importance of creators seeing themselves as business owners and entrepreneurs, with the content serving as a medium for growth and community engagement. KLIQ’s AI Business Assistant provides audience analytics and business management tools, giving creators actionable insights to better understand their community and optimize monetization strategies.
“KLIQ is on a mission to redefine how we perceive creators as the backbone of the next generation of small and medium-sized businesses,” commented Serena Williams. “I’m excited to be part of this journey and support KLIQ’s vision for creators.”
“Traditional social media platforms often leave digital communities wanting more as users seek more direct engagement with creators,” added Kieran Gibbs. “KLIQ prioritizes accessibility and ease so that experts from any field can build closer connections and share their passion and knowledge with those who are looking to develop and grow.”
