KIKI World, a beauty company that involves its community in product creation, has announced a $7 million funding round backed by various investors, including a16z crypto and Estée Lauder Companies’ New Incubation Ventures. The funding will support the development of proprietary software to power consumer-driven campaigns for enterprise clients. KIKI is a pioneer in using Web3 technology to engage customers and create a community-driven platform.
The emergence of Web3 enabled brands like gmoney’s 9dcc, Ismail Tazi’s Trame, and Colby Mugrabis’ mmERCH highlights the potential for brands to evolve into enterprise platforms. KIKI launched in 2023 with connected beauty products co-created by its community, such as the Pretty Nail Graffiti nail pen and the Skin Development Kit skincare line where customers can vote on ingredients. This consumer-centric approach has attracted investors and industry leaders like Estée Lauder Companies.
KIKI’s co-founders Jana Bobosikova, Brendon Garner, and Ricky Chan see their online community as the key to creating the brands of the future. The company’s focus on customer engagement and co-creation using blockchain technology has gained the attention of industry experts like Arianna Simpson from Andreessen Horowitz. The partnership with Estée Lauder Companies reflects a shared vision of putting the customer first and using technology to drive creativity and engagement.
The success of KIKI’s consumer beauty brand has positioned the company ahead of other emerging tech platforms by providing a proof of concept and a loyal customer base. The brand’s innovative platform leverages community input to drive product development and engagement, setting a new standard for consumer brands. The suite of platform tools offered by KIKI includes blockchain-powered profiles, collectibles, discovery engines, and community management tools designed to reward fans and foster peer-to-peer connections.
The investment in KIKI reflects a growing trend in the beauty industry towards community-driven, participatory campaigns and co-creation. The use of blockchain technology and Web3 platforms is opening up new possibilities for brands to engage with customers and create personalized, interactive experiences. KIKI’s vision for the future of beauty is centered around empowering consumers to shape the products they use and connecting them with like-minded fans through a blockchain-powered platform.
As KIKI continues to evolve from a consumer brand to an enterprise platform, the company is poised to revolutionize the beauty industry by putting the customer at the center of product development and engagement. The support from investors like a16z crypto and Estée Lauder Companies’ New Incubation Ventures validates KIKI’s innovative approach to leveraging technology for community-driven campaigns and co-creation. The $7 million funding round will enable KIKI to expand its platform tools and applications, creating new opportunities for brands to connect with their customers and drive creativity through community collaboration.
