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Google's skunkworks lab, Zone 120, is quietly testing a crowdsourcing, event-focused crowdfunding service for YouTubers. Variety has learned. Called Fundo, this service allows creators to invite their fans to virtual dating sessions and other paid online events.
A spokesman for Google confirmed the tests in a statement provided to the Variety: "One of the many projects we are working on in Zone 120 is Fundo, a platform for public engagement and monetization for YouTube creators. Like other projects in Area 120, this is a very recent experience and there are not many details to share at the moment. "
Google launched Area 120 in 2016 as a kind of internal startup incubator. The unit has tested several applications and services, ranging from apps that help kids read, to customer service tools for small businesses. Some of the 120 Zone apps are publicly available on Google Play and the App Store.
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Fundo, on the other hand, flies almost under the radar and its existence has not been reported before. the Fundo's website remains silent on the key details: it's just an "experimental project in area 120 currently in beta", while inviting creators wishing to learn more to get in touch with the team.
Fundo's basic idea is to give creators the opportunity to sell special events online to some of their biggest fans. For example, YouTuber Jessi Vee used Fundo to facilitate a virtual meeting session, consisting of a live video chat with small groups of her fans, last month.
The Mexican star of YouTube, Key Riqué, began selling personalized ads to her fans for 80 Mexican pesos per video (about $ 4) in January. Roblox YouTuber KreekCraft has had several meetings and greets, charging $ 10 per ticket to fans, and showing what this experience looks like in the video below:
And this week, YouTuber lifestyle Hannah Forcier organized a "photo booth" session, allowing fans to have a brief video chat with Forcier, during which they could pose to take 3 photos together. Forcier charged fans $ 40 each to participate in the photo booth, but granted discounts to some of its followers on Twitter.
Fundo is calling on fans to participate in these events to support their favorite creators. "The creators spend a lot of time creating your favorite videos and, to keep doing that, they rely on the assistance of viewers like you," reads a FAQ document available to potential participants. "Fundo event revenues are used directly to support their channels and their creativity, so that they can continue to make you feel all the feelings."
In addition to the video chat feature and payment services, Fundo has also implemented a queue system designed to ensure that these virtual meetings remain exclusive without frustrating fans. "Events on Fundo can be very popular," says the FAQ of the service. "Please, try to be patient. The creator will go to everyone. "
It is unclear with how many designers with whom Area 120 has tested Fundo and whether Google plans to make it more widely available in the future. The company filed a Fundo trademark earlier this month, suggesting that it may wish to use the brand in the future. However, Google has integrated a number of crowdfunding features directly into YouTube, including pay-TV subscriptions, virtual donations via super-chats, and more.
Many creators nevertheless use external services for their affiliation and crowdfunding campaigns. Patreon, for example, announced in January that it had exceeded 3 million customers, who supported more than 100,000 creators with recurring payments.
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