The social network Ello received an investment of $ 5.5 million

So, the social life of Ello.co , in which some see a great future, while others predict a slow, painful death to it, received money for its development. Investors from Fresh Tracks Capital pledged to invest $ 5.5 million in a new social network.

A spokesperson for Fresh Tracks Capital said:

We are long-term investors. Among our partners there are companies in which we have invested for nine years before they became successful. We act in the long run so that the company can reach a certain scale and value.

If someone does not know, Ello positions itself as an opponent of Facebook, but without advertising and draining personal data to a third party.

The founder of the network, Paul Budnitz, plans to earn paid additions. When describing a possible (and probable) business model, he cites smartphones as an example. They say that you buy a phone and “out of the box” you can call, write SMS, send mail, etc., and for a certain amount you can expand the basic functionality to the extent you need.
')
It has not yet been announced whether it will be a one-time fee or a subscription with an annual or monthly payment. Rather, the second, otherwise the network, in my opinion, will not be able to constantly generate enough money for its existence, but you also need to earn money. Many experts and “experts” doubt the viability of such a model for the network. But Budnits does not give up!



At the moment, Ello does not have significant capabilities. I would say that even the “basic” functionality is not implemented there. The one to which most of us are accustomed to using social networks - add video or audio to the post (not download, but at least add from Youtube or Soundcloud ), personal messages, photo albums, etc ... Nevertheless, the list of tasks appeared on the site which the company plans to implement in the near future:

Initially, the LGBT guys became interested in the network, because you can create accounts under fictitious nicknames. As well as web designers, graphic designers, etc. No, not because we are part of LGBT. In my design look, the network looks really cool. This may be the problem - "What a designer is good, then the average user is dead."


In any case, Ello, lives, and now it can develop normally. Until recently, only 14 people worked on the network; perhaps, the team will now expand and the development of the network will accelerate. Personally, I have nothing special to do there, but I will follow with interest.

PS There are a couple of invites who are interested - write. Ended, I will write in the comments as soon as they appear.