Bythen, an online platform that enables users to create and use personalised digital characters, has announced a US$5 million seed funding round.
Vector Inc. (Japan) and Skystar Capital led the round, which also included East Ventures, BEENEXT, OSK, and AppWorks, as well as angel investors William Tanuwijaya and Ryan Lee.
The funding will be used to support a global launch and Bythen aims to onboard 15,000 virtual influencers from diverse sectors including Web3 and gaming. The company also plans to launch original IP collections and collaborate with international IP owners. Vector has committed to assisting Bythen in acquiring high-value content and establishing strategic partnerships.
Founded in 2024, Bythen aims to democratise the virtual influencer space, allowing anyone to create their own AI-powered “Bytes”. These digital twins can be used to generate content, livestream, and engage with audiences across various social media platforms, thus providing users with new avenues to build an online presence and monetise their influence.
The startup operates on a revenue-sharing model, ensuring that creators benefit directly from their digital work. The platform provides users with tools to create content and video replies autonomously, which can be used across multiple platforms. Bytes can also be used for video calls on Zoom or Google Meet and for live streams on platforms like YouTube and Twitch.
The founding team behind Bythen has a history of collaboration, having previously co-founded Magnivate and Bridestory. The team consists of Kevin Mintaraga, Erick Saputra, Ferry Dianto, and Nathalia Isadora, along with William Nagata.
The firm’s launch is motivated by the shifting preferences of younger users towards pseudonymous social media personas, prioritising privacy, freedom of expression and the ability to shape digital identities independent of physical attributes. This trend is occurring alongside a booming global creator economy, valued at US$325 billion, with over 200 million content creators, an area Bythen aims to reshape.
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“Bythen is all about amplifying creators’ potential,” stated Kevin Mintaraga, co-founder of Bythen. “By providing an accessible platform and revenue-sharing model, we’re cultivating an environment where anyone can thrive as a virtual creator.”
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