Driving Culture Forward with #paid
Led by ScaleUP Ventures, we’re proud to announce today that #paid raised $5M in Series A funding to help realize our mission of empowering creators to drive culture forward.
It’s clear we’re onto something. Media is rapidly changing and there is no better time than today to be building a business in this space.
Media used to be in the hands of a few—Comcast, Viacom, Disney, TimeWarner—but today it’s in the hands of the many. The internet has democratized access to the most talented content creators in the world who have organically risen to the top of social media. And these creators play a key role in driving culture forward. Hundreds of thousands of creators act as independent channels that reach and inspire communities across the globe. This is a fundamental and powerful shift in how media influences culture.
Our purpose at #paid is to empower content creators to make a living doing what they love. To give them the freedom to explore the world and capture it, share it, entertain us, delight us, inspire us, and teach us. To show us our city from a new angle, the raw energy of the people they capture, and the most drool-worthy food photography on the planet. For the most part, these content creators want to use their audience to inspire good. It’s profound and humbling.
This inspiring content is made possible when creators are able to focus on creating content full-time. #paid brings this to life by matching world-class creators and brands for authentic collaborations. The most forward-thinking marketers in the world are leveraging #paid to weave their brands into the fabric of culture—and they’re seeing incredible ROI.
But, it’s so much more than influencer marketing or branded content, it’s about enabling marketers to build their brands in the strongest and most authentic way possible. It’s fundamentally shifting brand perception by having brands not only participate in that conversation—but drive it forward. The dialogue that unfolds, the engagement it creates, the decisions and ideas left in peoples’ minds — this becomes culture. And we enable brands to drive that culture forward.
It’s so much more than influencer marketing or branded content, it’s about enabling marketers to build their brands in the strongest and most authentic way possible.
I’m proud of the team and everything we’ve accomplished. I also have some advice: We celebrate the wins—and we do a very good job at that! However, a fundraise is not a win. It’s a means to an end, and should not carry the weight of a significant celebration. It’s what we do with this funding that counts. Now is the time for us to rally and make our vision a reality. Empowering creators, and driving culture forward, together.
Now let’s go out and get ’em.
PS: We’re hiring! Visit our Careers Page to learn more.
Bryan Gold
#paid Co-founder and CEO
