Startup Spotlight #24: How to Get More Likes

Today's featured startup is poised to help you with that.

Dec 19, 2024

Growith has developed a platform where content creators can test their posts before publishing.

The essence of the testing process is that creators can quickly receive feedback on their planned video posts from other creators. The startup claims that gathering sufficient feedback typically takes no more than 24 hours.

To receive feedback, users upload their videos to the platform and specify the types of creators they want to hear from. Current filters include the creator’s niche, country, and age.

Feedback is available in several forms:

1. Emojis, such as hearts or thumbs-down, to rate the uploaded video.

2. A customizable three-question survey with predefined answers.

3. Detailed comments where participants can provide insights and advice.

Users can upload a fixed number of videos per month for free. However, providing feedback on others’ videos earns credits, which can be exchanged for additional uploads. The more feedback you provide, the more feedback you can receive.

Pricing tiers include:

• Free: Feedback on 3 videos/month.

• $9.99/month: Feedback on 20 videos, plus double credits for providing feedback.

• $17.99/month: Feedback on 40 videos, plus triple credits.

Credits can also be purchased. It remains unclear if and how participants who provide feedback would be compensated in such cases. A potential model could involve revenue sharing, similar to Spotify’s, where a portion of monthly platform revenue is distributed among contributors based on their feedback volume.

In a few weeks, Growith plans to introduce private feedback groups, where creators can invite team members, advisors, or loyal fans. In such cases, the credit system might not apply, and creators would pay for a corporate subscription based on group size and/or video uploads.

Some more planned features:

• Badges and achievements for users providing the most valuable feedback.

• Options to request feedback exclusively from certified users with relevant badges. Pricing may vary by badge level.

• Certified users will receive direct payments for their feedback, minus a platform fee. These badges could have expiration dates to encourage continued participation and feedback.

Founded in July in Spain, Growith launched on Product Hunt just a few days ago. The startup raised €170,000 in pre-seed funding in September.

What’s the Gist?

Receiving feedback on creative work before its release is a cornerstone of the creative process. I write music in my spare time, and when I just started out, hearing my friends’ input was key to knowing what just sounded good to my ear, and what actually sounded decent. Early input also helps creators refine their ideas and notice some missteps that they might not have noticed on their own.

One notable example is Highnote, a platform that enables musicians and podcasters to gather feedback during the development stage. Users can solicit opinions from team members or dedicated fans within private feedback groups. This setup ensures creators receive targeted, constructive input that aligns with their artistic vision.

Another interesting example is Groover, which provides musicians with a unique way to connect with industry professionals. While it offers feedback for a fee — typically €2 per review — its true value lies in its ability to create promotional opportunities. If a track resonates with an expert, they might support the artist in ways that go beyond feedback, such as collaboration or broader promotion.

Growith could potentially tap into similar dynamics. Creative fields thrive on collaboration, and experienced professionals often seek out fresh talent to bring new perspectives to their work. A platform like Growith, where emerging creators can seek guidance from seasoned experts, could evolve into a hub for such exchanges. It may even facilitate unexpected partnerships that benefit both parties.

But Growith’s model also has implications for other fields, like education. Platforms designed to gather feedback could be adapted to learning environments, enabling students to receive input from both peers and professionals. This concept is exemplified by Studio, a startup offering creative education across disciplines like music, acting, and vlogging. Studio’s AI coach not only provides real-time advice but also connects participants with similar interests for mutual feedback.

By blending peer and professional input, platforms like Growith could cater to diverse needs — supporting creators looking to grow, professionals seeking to discover emerging talent, and learners striving to improve their craft. This multifaceted approach highlights the untapped potential of feedback platforms in both creative and educational spheres.

Key Takeaways

With 200+ million creators worldwide, the global content creation landscape is vast. These creators range from hobbyists with small audiences to professional influencers with millions and millions of followers. However, the majority of them still operate on a smaller scale. For instance, 23 million creators have fewer than 1,000 followers, while 139 million have between 1,000 and 10,000. Only a small fraction — around 4 million — boast audiences exceeding 100,000.

For smaller, the journey toward growth and monetization often hinges on improving the quality of their content. These individuals typically lack teams to provide consistent feedback or access to professional advice, leaving them in need of tools and platforms to bridge this gap. Feedback is essential for creators to refine their work, engage their audiences more effectively, and ultimately — grow.

Platforms like Growith can play a pivotal role in addressing this need. By offering an accessible, streamlined way to gather feedback, they empower creators to enhance their content without the need for extensive resources. As the market for small-scale creators continues to grow, so will the demand for similar tools.

Despite the vast opportunity, the pre-release feedback landscape is still young, with no universally accepted methods or dominant players. Platforms exploring this space must strike a delicate balance — providing solutions that are simple, affordable, and effective while meeting the diverse needs of creators across varying niches and skill levels.

The potential reward for successfully addressing this market is enormous. A platform that resonates with even a fraction of the 207 million content creators globally could unlock a transformative business opportunity, fostering a more collaborative and supportive creative ecosystem.

Company info

Growith

Website: https://www.growith.app/
Last funding round: €170k
Total funds raised: €170k over 1 round