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§ Private Profile · Chicago, IL, USA
Software for collaborating with content creators and influencers
Popular Pays is a platform connecting content Creators with Brands who want content to tell their stories. We’re tech-forward, with an in-house built iOS and web app (for creators) and dashboard (for brands) that delivers direct communication & powerful statistics to help you run a multiplatform campaign. To find out what we’re about, visit our website: www.popularpays.com.
Popular Pays has raised $11.9M across 5 funding rounds.
Key people at Popular Pays.
Popular Pays was founded in 2013 by Corbett Drummey (Founder/CEO) and Steven Wanderski (Founder/Full Stack Web Developer).
Popular Pays has raised $11.9M in total across 5 funding rounds.
Popular Pays is a software platform that facilitates collaboration between brands and content creators or influencers, enabling authentic, grassroots advertising campaigns. It provides tools for brands to post campaigns ("gigs") that influencers can apply for, creating content that promotes products or services in exchange for goods or payment. The platform serves both small businesses and large national brands by streamlining influencer marketing with direct communication and detailed campaign analytics, helping brands measure reach and engagement effectively[1][2].
Founded in 2013 by Corbett Drummey and Steven Wanderski, Popular Pays emerged from the insight that everyone on social media has an audience, even those with modest followings. The founders, coming from entrepreneurial and creative backgrounds, initially tested the concept locally by encouraging Instagram users with at least 500 followers to exchange social posts for goods. This grassroots approach evolved into a scalable platform connecting influencers with brands like Nike and McDonald's, enabling paid gigs for influencers with larger followings. The company grew to 37 employees and was acquired by Lightricks in 2022, reflecting strong growth momentum and market validation[1][2][3].
Popular Pays rides the growing trend of influencer and content creator marketing, which has become a dominant force in digital advertising. The timing was crucial as social media platforms matured and brands sought more authentic, measurable ways to engage consumers beyond traditional ads. Market forces such as the rise of micro-influencers, demand for data transparency, and the shift toward content-driven marketing favor platforms like Popular Pays. By enabling scalable, grassroots campaigns, it influences the broader ecosystem by democratizing influencer marketing access for smaller creators and brands alike[1][2][5].
Looking ahead, Popular Pays is positioned to expand its influence as influencer marketing continues to grow and evolve. Trends such as video content, short-form social media, and AI-driven campaign optimization will likely shape its product development. Its acquisition by Lightricks, a company known for creative tools, suggests integration with advanced content creation technologies, potentially enhancing creator experience and campaign effectiveness. Popular Pays’ role in bridging brands and creators will remain vital as the digital advertising landscape increasingly values authenticity and measurable impact[2][3].
In summary, Popular Pays started as a simple idea to empower social media users to monetize their influence and has grown into a sophisticated platform that connects brands with creators at scale, driving innovation in influencer marketing and shaping the future of content-driven advertising.
Key people at Popular Pays.
Popular Pays has raised $11.9M across 5 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $1.1M Series B Extension in December 2018.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 18, 2018 | $1.1M Series B Plus | Beringea | GoAhead Ventures, Hyde Park Angels, Edwin LAU | Announced |
| Aug 8, 2018 | $5.5M Series B | Michael Gross | — | Announced |
| Apr 10, 2017 | $3.1M Venture Round | GoAhead Ventures | Hyde Park Angels, Pallasite Ventures | Announced |
| Jul 1, 2015 | $2M Series A | — | Accelerator Ventures, Climate Capital, FPV Fund, Humba Ventures, Lightbank, RED Swan Ventures, Semble Ventures, ThirdLove, Mike Shinoda, Bessemer Venture Partners, Romar Partners, Social Starts, Soma Capital | Announced |
| Sep 1, 2013 | $200K Seed | — | Anti Fund, Forward Deployed VC, Great Oaks Venture Capital, IrishAngels, Motivate Ventures, Scrum Ventures, Speedy Packets Inc., Y Combinator, Greg Brockman, Paul Holliman | Announced |
Popular Pays was founded in 2013 by Corbett Drummey (Founder/CEO) and Steven Wanderski (Founder/Full Stack Web Developer).
Popular Pays has raised $11.9M in total across 5 funding rounds.
Popular Pays's investors include Beringea, GoAhead Ventures, Hyde Park Angels, Edwin Lau, Michael Gross, Pallasite Ventures, Accelerator Ventures, Climate Capital, FPV Fund, Humba Ventures, Lightbank, Red Swan Ventures.