The 1% rule of internet culture dictates that 1% of users of a site add content while the other 99% consume that content. Also, as much of the world shifted to digital during, content consumption on digital platforms increased exponentially as readers looked for sources of information, research, productivity, and entertainment. These trends have led to a meteoric rise in video and visual content (Youtube, Instagram, TikTok, etc.) Excerp is a digital media platform focused on online written content. The yet-to-launch platform, founded by three Goldman alums, seeks to provide content creators with the infrastructure and technology tools to create, curate, and distribute their content to mass audiences. While details on the product are sparse, it appears to be a blend of WordPress, Medium, and Substack with embedded marketing, distribution, and content creation tools.
London TechWatch caught up with Excerp Cofounder Majid Sebti to learn more about the company’s founding, future strategic plans, recent round of funding, and much, much more.
Who were your investors and how much did you raise?
Hedge Fund Manager Edward Eisler and other employees of Eisler Capital. $5 million friends and family round
Tell us about your product or service.
Excerp’s platform will offer an intuitive, organized and engaging home for online written content, helping creators to grow and monetise their audiences.
What inspired the start of Excerp?
Online media platforms have created thriving ecosystems for content creators and have transformed how content is consumed. However, most successful media platforms focus on video and visual content, while online written content, such as blogs, has been left behind. And, we want to change that.
How is it different?
It’s very difficult for bloggers and written content creators to scale and reach their audiences. This is largely because existing content management systems, such as WordPress, are delivering solutions that have failed to advance in decades. Excerp will revolutionise the world of online written content, and modernise the experience for creators and consumers.
What market are you targeting and how big is it?
Online Written Media. The global digital population is just over 4 billion. Plus, 1. 50 million more users join the creator ecosystem in 2021.
What’s your business model?
Sell advertising.
What are your post-COVID office plans??
We want our employees to feel safe and stay healthy, therefore, we allow our employees to work from home as they wish.
What was the funding process like?
It was an exciting challenge for all of us.
What are the biggest challenges that you faced while raising capital?
It’s a competitive market with strong competitors.
What factors about your business led your investors to write the check?
Our vision and the expertise of our team.
What are the milestones you plan to achieve in the next six months?
Launch our product.
What advice can you offer companies in London that do not have a fresh injection of capital in the bank?
- Define a viable business plan
- Analyze the market and competitors
- Build a strong network of professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors
Where do you see the company going now over the near term?
We are aiming to revolutionize the world of online written content.
What’s your favourite outdoor activity in London?
Long walks around the parks.
