Black Tag

Blacktag, founded in 2020 by Akin Adebowale and Ousman Sahko, operates as a global platform focused on empowering Black creators and connecting them with brands. Adebowale, a former designer for Google and creative director for prominent artists, brings a deep understanding of the creative and branding worlds, while Sahko's background as a filmmaker and photographer informs the platform's content-centric approach. Their combined experience aims to address the systemic issue of Black creators being undervalued and underpaid for their cultural contributions. The company functions through a dual-pronged strategy. Its primary offering is a live content and commerce application that facilitates direct engagement and monetization opportunities for creators. This app serves as a digital space where artists, filmmakers, and other cultural producers can showcase their work and interact with their audience. The second arm, Blacktag Studios, operates as a content and entertainment division. This studio partners with brands, production studios, and networks to develop and invest in original content, creating a pipeline for Black creativity to reach broader commercial platforms. Blacktag's business model targets two distinct client bases: creators seeking a platform for expression and monetization, and brands or companies looking to authentically connect with the Black community and culture. For creators, the platform offers tools for content creation and e-commerce. For brands, Blacktag provides a direct avenue to sponsor or co-create content with influential cultural figures, aiming to move beyond traditional advertising. This model generates revenue through brand partnerships and by providing opportunities for investment in original content produced by Blacktag Studios. In a significant milestone, the company secured $3.75 million in a seed funding round led by venture capital firm Fearless Fund. This capital injection is intended to support the development of creator-centric tools, including features for NFTs and digital collectibles, further enhancing the platform's monetization capabilities for its user base. Keywords: creator economy, Black creators, content platform, brand partnerships, digital media, live content, content monetization, cultural currency, entertainment production, venture capital