Do we truly require an additional social media platform tailored specifically for college students? With the impending TikTok ban in the United States, a new contender named Connyct emerges, presenting itself as a viable alternative.

Connyct - The Safe Haven for College Students in a Social Media Landscape

Features and Functionality

Connyct closely mirrors the popular short-form video app, offering a comprehensive suite of features. Its personalized content feed ensures that students are presented with relevant and engaging material. Private chatting allows for secure communication among peers, while the video creation and editing tools are extensive. Users can add music, filters, stickers, and more to enhance their videos, making the sharing experience truly immersive. The event discovery section and community channels play a crucial role in helping students stay connected and bond over common interests. Whether it's organizing nearby college parties or participating in small hangouts and club activities, Connyct provides a dedicated space for such interactions.Another notable aspect is the gated access, which requires users to register with a student.edu email. This creates a private network within each institution, enabling students to share content freely among their peers without the worry of unwanted attention from "creeps" or hovering parents. As co-founder and CEO Matthew Berman mentioned in a conversation with TechCrunch, "Being a college kid, TikTok and Instagram can be a scary experience. With Connyct, students can have a more controlled and safe environment."

Event Enhancement and Music Partnership

The event discovery page is a unique feature of Connyct. Users can organize and participate in various college events, and the app even includes a dedicated video tab where students can post content highlighting these events. Additionally, the platform is developing a feature that allows users to enhance event pages by adding songs and dedicated playlists. In September, Connyct secured a partnership with Warner Music Group, ensuring that users have access to music from top artists for their content. This adds an extra dimension to the event experience and makes Connyct a one-stop destination for college students.

Ambassador Program and Earning Potential

To promote the platform and enable college students to earn money from their content, Connyct has launched an Ambassador program. This program allows students to monetize their content and provides bonuses for sign-ups using a unique promo code. Participants can receive rewards such as free merchandise, event perks, gift cards, cash, and exclusive access to Connyct events. While the specific earnings potential varies depending on the different roles ambassadors take on, it is on par with many other companies in the industry. As Berman explained, "Some ambassadors will focus on on-campus interviews, while others will be more involved in social posting or event management. Each role offers different opportunities for earning."

Industry Experience and Team Collaboration

Connyct has a potential advantage over smaller competitors with its founding team of industry veterans and notable advisors. For example, CEO Matthew Berman previously founded the Chunnel.TV network, which reached half a million monthly users with the support of Martin Sorrell and WPP. The chief music officer, Bill Campbell, has advised both Spotify and TikTok during its transition and expansion. The chief marketing officer, Simmy Kustanowitz, is a former executive producer of "Impractical Jokers." Additionally, the team collaborated with around 50 college students from various institutions, including Louisiana State University, the University of California, and more. This diverse team brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table, making Connyct a force to be reckoned with in the college social media space.Currently, Connyct is only available on the App Store, but Android and desktop versions are in the works. As the app continues to grow and evolve, it holds the promise of becoming a go-to platform for college students seeking a safe and engaging social media experience.

Podcast recording has witnessed significant growth in recent years, with platforms like Riverside emerging as key players. This article delves into the details of Riverside's Series C funding and its expansion in the podcast and content creation space.

Revolutionizing Podcast Recording with Riverside's Funding

Series C Funding and Investor Participation

Podcast recording platform Riverside made a significant announcement on Monday. It has successfully raised $30 million in Series C funding, with Zeev Ventures taking the lead. Seven Seven Six and angel investor Sam Lessin also participated in this round. This brings Riverside's total funding to $80 million to date, with Zeev and Seven Seven Six involved in multiple rounds. The startup's $35 million Series B raise came in 2022. Riverside's founder Nadav Keyson shared that the company's valuation has increased with this Series C funding, although the exact number remains undisclosed.The importance of this funding cannot be overstated. It will enable Riverside to grow its team and build out solutions that cater specifically to the podcast and content creation space. With such substantial financial backing, Riverside is well-positioned to make further advancements in the industry.

Expansion of Tools and Features

Riverside started as a podcast recording platform during the pandemic, allowing participants from different locations to collaborate seamlessly. Its initial focus on features like recording separate audio tracks with automatic backups proved to be a game-changer. In case of a glitch in one participant's feed, the recording would not break down.Over the past year, the company has continued to innovate. It launched its iOS and iPad apps, providing better on-the-go support for podcast recording in HD resolution. A new design was also introduced, bringing recording, editing, and sharing tools together in one place.The new editor comes with an array of features. AI transcription is available, supporting more than 100 languages. There are separate audio and video tracks, and automatic clip creation of memorable moments for sharing on social platforms. Recently, an AI-powered editing feature was introduced to replace or remove text in the transcript and have it reflected in the video or audio recording. According to the startup, these tools have reduced editing time for companies like Google, Microsoft, and Marvel by 80%. In 2024 alone, creators have recorded over 100 million minutes on the platform.

Expanding into Live Streaming

While Riverside initially focused on podcast recording tools, it has now expanded its offerings to include live-streaming support. This includes support for multiple stream destinations and custom branding. Earlier this year, Spotify expanded its partnership with Riverside to offer its creators podcast recording and editing tools within the browser window.Riverside competes with other remote podcast recording tools such as Podcastle and Zencastr. Camo, which started as a webcam quality improvement tool, has also invested in live-streaming tools.

Future Plans and Goals

Riverside aims to become a one-stop shop for all things video, not just limited to podcast recording. Companies are already using the platform to create video interviews, thought leadership content, and internal training material.Seven Seven Six's Alexis Ohanian believes in Riverside's vision and sees it as a great tool to meet the rising demand for video content. Keyson noted that the company has approximately 160-170 people and will use the funding primarily to hire AI and full-stack engineers. Although the company is not currently profitable, it aims to achieve profitability by the end of 2026.In conclusion, Riverside's Series C funding and expansion efforts are set to shape the future of podcast and content creation. With its innovative tools and growing team, Riverside is well on its way to becoming a dominant force in the industry.