A new social media app, Giggles, is generating excitement by allowing users to buy and sell stakes in videos, creating an innovative platform for early content discovery. The company recently announced it has secured over $1 million in pre-seed funding, led by 1kx, with contributions from various investors including Noar Ventures and Bain Capital Scout. This funding round, which concluded in 2025, brings Giggles’ total funding to more than $1.2 million.
Giggles operates on a unique model that incentivizes users to engage actively with content rather than merely consuming it. Users can “buy into” a video early on; if that video gains popularity on the platform, participants earn rewards. This approach is designed to cultivate a sense of community and competition among users who aim to identify trending content before it goes viral.
Co-founder and CEO Justin Jin highlights the cultural shift Giggles represents, stating, “Giggles is designed for a new generation who are already discovering, backing, and amplifying trends across the internet.” Edwin Wang, the company’s co-founder and CTO, elaborates on the platform’s mechanics, mentioning that users are beginning to approach cultural discovery similarly to how investors handle early equity investments.
Research from 1kx indicates that users enjoy having a stake in content outcomes, reinforcing the blend of social engagement and financial incentives that Giggles offers. According to Jakub Rusiecki, a research associate at 1kx, this new platform could revolutionize social media engagement.
The app, which entered beta testing in August 2025, quickly attracted nearly 30,000 daily active users and saw viral adoption among high school and college students in the U.S. Furthermore, it boasts a waitlist of over 400,000 users eager for the broader release planned for iOS, Android, and web platforms.
Giggles was co-founded by young entrepreneurs Justin Jin, 19, and Edwin Wang, 20. Their journey began on Hypixel, a popular Minecraft server, where they bonded over their gaming experiences. Jin, who later became a successful YouTuber, and Wang, who previously launched a social food delivery app, are now focused on building Giggles into a leading content trading platform.
As the company gears up for its public launch, it plans to enhance product features and introduce real-money interactions, aiming to further engage users in this innovative and financially incentivized social media ecosystem. For updates, users can visit the company’s official website or follow Giggles on social media platforms.
