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§ Private Profile · New York City, NY, USA
Minus is a technology company.
Minus develops a file-sharing platform designed for simplicity and universal accessibility. The company focuses on enabling easy and free exchange of digital content, initially specializing in mobile chat and photo sharing. Its technological approach aims to streamline the user experience for sharing various file types, with aspirations to broaden its support to include documents, music, and video.
The company was co-founded by Carl Hu and John Xie around 2010, stemming from an insight into the need for a more straightforward and universal file-sharing solution. Carl Hu, who serves as CEO, brought significant engineering experience, having previously held the role of Principal Engineer at Amazon.com. John Xie acts as the COO, contributing to the operational scaling of the startup.
Minus targets a broad user base seeking an unencumbered way to share digital media across devices. The company's vision centers on becoming a ubiquitous platform that facilitates seamless and free content exchange for everyone, emphasizing ease of use as its core differentiator. It aims to evolve into a comprehensive solution for all forms of digital communication and sharing.
Minus has raised $14.0M across 3 funding rounds.
Minus has raised $14.0M in total across 3 funding rounds.
Minus is a New York-based technology company that develops chat and photo-sharing applications, enabling users to drag files from desktops or folders directly into browsers for sharing, or use dedicated desktop and mobile apps.[1] Its flagship product, MeowChat, functions as a mobile chat room equivalent, mimicking a pen pal experience to connect users worldwide for travel and social interactions.[1]
The company serves individuals seeking casual, global social connections through easy file sharing and chat features, addressing the need for seamless, intuitive communication tools in a mobile-first world.[1] While specific growth metrics are unavailable, Minus positions itself in the social media and software space alongside larger players in AdTech, AI, and digital media.[1]
Minus operates from its headquarters in New York, New York, USA, with a focus on social chat and file-sharing innovations.[1] Detailed founding dates, founders, or early traction stories are not specified in available sources, though it appears as an active tech entity in the NYC ecosystem.[1]
(Note: Other entities like Minus K Technology, founded in 1993 for vibration isolation products, or the dissolved UK-based MINUS TECH LTD (incorporated 2020, dissolved 2023), share similar names but operate in unrelated hardware and software development spaces, respectively.[3][4])
Minus rides the trend of mobile-first social discovery apps, capitalizing on post-pandemic demand for virtual global connections and pen pal-style networking.[1] Timing aligns with the rise of intuitive, low-friction sharing tools amid hybrid work and travel recovery, where users favor apps blending chat, photos, and file exchange.[1]
Market forces like expanding mobile internet access and AI-enhanced social features favor Minus, positioning it near AdTech, generative AI, and digital media giants.[1] It contributes to the NYC tech ecosystem by offering niche, user-friendly alternatives to bloated platforms, potentially influencing lighter-weight social tools.
Minus could expand MeowChat with AI-driven matching or AR travel features to boost engagement, while scaling file-sharing for enterprise or creator use.[1] Trends like decentralized social networks and privacy-focused chats will shape its path, potentially elevating its role in global social tech if it gains viral traction.[1] As a nimble NYC player, its influence may grow by differentiating through simplicity in a crowded field—echoing its core drag-and-drop innovation that makes sharing as easy as chatting with a friend worldwide.[1]
Minus has raised $14.0M in total across 3 funding rounds.
Minus's investors include AlleyCorp, Canary Ventures, Oak HC/FT, Picus Capital, Reach Capital, Sequoia Capital, Stellar Capital, Wild Ventures, Carlos Julio Garcia, Gunnar Lovelace, Oskar Hjertonsson, Sergio Furio.
Minus has raised $14.0M across 3 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $5.0M Seed in August 2021.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 1, 2021 | $5M Seed | — | AlleyCorp, Canary Ventures, OAK HC/FT, Picus Capital, Reach Capital, Sequoia Capital, Stellar Capital, Wild Ventures, Carlos Julio Garcia, Gunnar Lovelace, Oskar Hjertonsson, Sergio Furio, Nicholas Green, Collaborative Fund, Humboldt Fund, Chris Sacca, Maple VC, Petri BIO, Svlc | Announced |
| Nov 1, 2014 | $8M Series A | — | Adeyemi Ajao, Draper Associates, Eniac Ventures, FJ Labs, Lightbank, LvlUp Ventures, Magma Partners, Osney Capital, Quake Capital, Silicon Valley Connect, Tekton Ventures, James Watt, Justin Mateen | Announced |
| Aug 9, 2011 | $1M Seed | IDG Capital | — | Announced |