What is Wattpad?
Founded in 2006, Wattpad serves as a premier platform for the distribution and consumption of user-generated content. The company has evolved its product suite to include Tap by Wattpad, an innovative storytelling tool that delivers short, chat-based narratives across various languages. By leveraging mobile-first technology, Wattpad has successfully disrupted traditional publishing models, creating a unique space where creators and readers interact in real-time. Its market position is defined by its ability to monetize engagement through a vast, global network, making it a critical player in the intersection of social media and digital entertainment.
How much funding has Wattpad raised?
Wattpad has raised a total of $162M across 6 funding rounds:
Other Financing Round
$3.5M
Series A
$3.5M
Series B
$17.3M
Series C
$46.7M
Private Equity
$40M
Private Equity
$51M
Other Financing Round (2011): $3.5M with participation from Union Square Ventures
Series A (2011): $3.5M led by Golden Ventures, Union Square Ventures, and W Media Ventures
Series B (2012): $17.3M supported by Union Square Ventures, Golden Venture Partners, and Khosla Ventures
Series C (2014): $46.7M featuring OMERS Ventures, Khosla Ventures, VersionOne, Union Square Ventures, August Capital, Golden Venture Partners, RAINE VENTURES, and AME Cloud Ventures
Private Equity (2017): $40M backed by Tencent Holdings Ltd., Kickstart Ventures, Raine, Peterson Group, and BDC
Private Equity (2018): $51M with participation from Globe Telecom's Kickstart Ventures
Key Investors in Wattpad
Union Square Ventures
A New York City-based venture capital firm that invests in transformative markets influenced by technological and societal changes, targeting innovative companies poised for significant growth.
Golden Venture Partners
A mobile-focused seed and early-stage venture capital fund that provides mentorship and capital to entrepreneurs leveraging the massive potential of mobile products and services.
Khosla Ventures
A venture assistance firm founded by Vinod Khosla that provides strategic advice and capital to entrepreneurs working on breakthrough technologies across consumer, enterprise, and AI sectors.
What's next for Wattpad?
Looking ahead, the strategic deployment of the $0 is expected to accelerate Wattpad's expansion into new content verticals and enhance its proprietary data analytics capabilities. As the company matures, the focus will likely shift toward deepening its integration with global media partners and optimizing its monetization strategies for long-form and short-form content alike. By maintaining its focus on community-driven innovation, Wattpad is well-positioned to capitalize on the increasing demand for diverse, accessible digital narratives in an increasingly fragmented media market.
See full Wattpad company page
