17 Media

17LIVE, formerly known as M17 Entertainment, is a live-streaming platform with a significant presence in Asia, particularly in Japan and Taiwan. The company was originally founded as 17 Media in Taiwan in 2015 by Jeffery Huang. In 2017, it merged with Paktor, a dating app co-founded by Joseph Phua, who then took over leadership of the newly formed M17 Entertainment. This merger marked a significant milestone, leading to rapid expansion, especially in Japan where it became the market leader within a year. Joseph Phua, a graduate of NYU's Stern School of Business and the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business, had prior experience at McKinsey & Company and Citibank before venturing into entrepreneurship. His journey began with Paktor in 2013, an app designed to cater to the dating preferences of the Asian community, which he launched after his own experiences with dating apps in the U.S. In 2020, the company rebranded to 17LIVE Inc., sold its dating app business, and Jeffery Huang departed, solidifying its focus as a pure-play live-streaming business under Phua's chairmanship.

The core of 17LIVE's business is its mobile application, which allows content creators, known as LIVERs and V-Livers (virtual avatars), to broadcast live content across a wide array of categories including music, gaming, and lifestyle. The platform facilitates real-time interaction between creators and their audience through features like live chat and virtual gifting. Its primary revenue stream is the sale of virtual points, which users purchase to send as gifts to their favorite streamers. The company takes a percentage of this revenue. Additional monetization channels include monthly subscriptions for exclusive content, pay-per-view tickets for online events, and live e-commerce through services like HandsUP and OrderPally. This multi-faceted business model has enabled the company to achieve positive EBITDA since 2020.

The platform is designed for ease of use, allowing creators to start sharing content without needing professional editing skills. It supports its creators with local content management teams and fosters community through interactive competitions and offline events. A key feature is the ability for users to build personal connections with streamers, going beyond short-form content to be part of the live moment. For its V-Liver segment, the platform introduced a "V-Create Mode," which allows users to easily create their own virtual avatars directly within the app, lowering the barrier to entry for virtual streaming. The company has also integrated AI-powered tools, such as an assistant that suggests real-time topics to keep conversations flowing during broadcasts. With over 50 million downloads globally, 17LIVE serves a broad user base and continues to expand its international footprint, operating as LIVIT in English-speaking markets.

Keywords: live streaming, content creation, virtual gifting, creator economy, mobile entertainment, V-Liver, virtual avatars, social entertainment, live commerce, interactive media, digital content, online broadcasting, influencer marketing, audience engagement, monetization platform, Joseph Phua, Jeffery Huang, Paktor, M17 Entertainment, Asia tech