MojiLaLa

MojiLaLa operates as a digital marketplace for emojis and stickers, connecting independent artists and designers with a global user base. The company was established in 2016 by co-founders Dana Loberg and Sahin Boydas, who identified a gap in the market for more diverse and culturally relevant emojis beyond the standard offerings. Loberg, a Yale graduate and visual artist with a background in advertising at agencies like McCann Erickson, brought the creative and artistic vision to the venture. Boydas, a serial entrepreneur and technical leader with experience building and exiting companies, provided the engineering prowess. The idea stemmed from Loberg's personal frustration with downloading entire emoji packs for just a single desired sticker and recognizing the absence of emojis related to pop culture.

The platform functions as a centralized hub, described as a "Netflix for emojis," where users can access a vast library of designs. Its business model is primarily subscription-based, offering users unlimited access to its extensive collection for a monthly fee. Additionally, MojiLaLa pursues a revenue-sharing model with its content creators, giving artists 50% of the profits generated from their work. This approach has attracted thousands of designers to the platform, fostering a self-promoting ecosystem where artists are incentivized to share their MojiLaLa creations through their own social channels. The company serves as a third-party content resource for major chat platforms and keyboards seeking new and engaging emoji content. By consolidating sticker packs into a single application, MojiLaLa provides a streamlined experience for consumers messaging on various platforms, including Apple's iMessage, where it became a significant sticker distributor.

The service distinguishes itself by offering a curated collection of high-quality, and often exclusive, emojis and stickers that cover a wide range of themes, including local, controversial, and global topics. This allows users to find more nuanced and specific visual expressions for their digital conversations. The platform has seen significant organic growth, reaching over 200,000 downloads within its first four months with no marketing expenditure. Having participated in the 500 Startups accelerator, MojiLaLa has secured $1.5 million in funding over three rounds from investors including Betaworks and Great Oaks Venture Capital.

Keywords: emoji marketplace, sticker marketplace, digital stickers, artist platform, creator economy, Dana Loberg, Sahin Boydas, iMessage stickers, custom emojis, mobile messaging, visual communication, subscription service, content licensing, 500 Startups, digital assets, chat applications, emoji design, sticker distribution, creative content, monetization for artists