VUZ's monetization model has shifted to include 40% premium content, accessible via subscriptions or bundled telecom offers, contributing to doubled revenue and an 80% increase in gross profit last year. The company reached EBITDA profitability in 2024. VUZ supports creators through its "VUZ Studio" and live commerce features, aiming to convince users and creators of the value of immersive content. With offices in multiple countries and plans to launch in South Africa, VUZ is positioning itself as a hyper-local platform with global scalability, targeting over 5 billion users by 2026.
Key takeaways:
- VUZ has raised $12 million in a pre-Series C funding round led by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to expand its presence in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Africa, Asia, and the United States.
- The platform offers immersive, 360-degree content and has signed exclusive streaming deals with La Liga and the Professional Fighters League (PFL), working with over 100 content creators.
- VUZ has crossed 15 million users globally and is shifting from organic growth to paid marketing in the U.S., while investing in local partnerships in Africa and Asia.
- The company has evolved its monetization model to include 40% premium content and reached EBITDA profitability in 2024, with a focus on supporting creators through its "VUZ Studio" and live commerce features.