LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Clash, a creator monetization company, today announced it is purchasing the Byte app, a leading short-form video platform. Byte, which was the most downloaded app in the App Store last summer, will continue to have the same great in-app experience, with new monetization tools and features coming soon.
Byte, often called the sequel to Vine, was founded by Vine founder Dom Hofmann making it a natural fit with Clash. Clash Co-Founder Brendon McNerney got his start as a creator on Vine where he amassed more than 700,000 followers.
“We could not be more excited to have Byte join the Clash family,” said Dom Hofmann, Co-Founder of Byte. Hofmann will continue on with Clash in an advisory role as the company moves forward. “Together, we will be able to put more power into the hands of creators so they’re able to focus on what they love without spending as much time worrying about how they’re going to make a living.”
This news is coupled with Clash securing funding, which will allow the company to accelerate product development as it brings new monetization tools to creators. Alexis Ohanian’s new fund Seven Seven Six led the investment with additional funding from M13 Ventures and Plug and Play. Having just announced his 13th seed investment to reach billion dollar-valuation, Ohanian and his firm have deep experience with finding and supporting emerging technologies with massive impact.
“In the past years, we’ve seen more and more creators thriving when they have a direct link to their most engaged audience,” said Alexis Ohanian, Founder of Seven Seven Six and former Reddit Co-Founder. “I was lucky enough to build one of the pillars of social media and I’m so excited to be part of this new wave through Clash. By empowering creators to foster deeper connections with their audience and earn their fair share of money, I think we’ll see better content and stronger communities.”
Additionally, the Clash team has deep roots in social platforms and creator experience with team members from Facebook, TikTok, Vine, Snapchat, Twitter, Google, Pinterest, NeoReach, and Cameo.
For the time being, Clash and Byte will not see any interruption in their experience, and all users should download the Byte app.
“It’s an honor to be building the future of monetization alongside Alexis and Byte. Having gotten my start on Vine, it feels like a full-circle moment to have Dom join as an advisor on the team,” said Brendon McNerney, Co-Founder and CEO of Clash. “With a team this deeply experienced, we’re confident that creators will be excited to use the tools we’re building.”
