Community and commerce company, Kiki closed its initial funding round led by a16z crypto and the Estée Lauder Companies’ New Incubation Ventures (NIV). NIV invested during Kiki’s concept stages in November 2022.
 
Kiki World’s initial launch featured connected beauty products co-created by the Kiki World community. Their audience can co-create products, receive rewards for engagement, participate in product innovation, and connect with other fans. 

In April 2024, Kiki will begin releasing new platform tools and applications that will enable creators, brands, and fans to launch new campaigns while fueling Kiki’s own product lines. 
 
The brand says looks to build consumer brands as dynamic platforms, “with products and experiences created by and rewards shared with the communities that use them.” The brand says it has created a new way for consumers to connect with each other and brands outside of the historical web2 channels and social media. 
 
Co-founders Jana Bobosikova, Brendon Garner, and Ricky Chan commented, “Brand websites are valuable for not only selling but also educating, and KIKI’s innovative platform strategically takes brand.com capabilities a step further to leverage community and drive creativity as trends rapidly emerge.”
 
Since May of 2023, Kiki has launched five physical product collections including the Skin Development Kit and the Pretty Nail Graffiti. 
 
The Skin Development Kit allows customers to vote on key ingredients in the skincare line, as well as the launch order. The Pretty Nail Graffiti is an NFC tag-enabled nail pen that customers can choose the next color. 
 
“Consumers are at the heart of what we do at The Estée Lauder Companies,” said Shana Randhava, Senior Vice President, NIV. “That’s why we’re excited by the KIKI team’s vision of finding new ways to put the customer first. KIKI brand with their custom-built platform is leveraging the forefront of web3 tech to rethink the future of how consumers can co-create with brands and engage in new and relevant ways. This exploration of a new consumer-centric model provides ELC with a valuable window into the future of beauty.”

Read Next