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Business Insider
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Social media startup Zeen is shutting down after raising $9 million
Making it as a social media startup ain't easy. Zeen, the maker of a social collage platform, confirmed to Business Insider on Monday that it was shutting down operations. "If there was any other way to keep it going, we would've done that," cofounder Miri Buckland told BI. "Ultimately, over the last couple of months, it became clear that it wasn't going to grow to the scale that it needed to as a VC-backed startup." Buckland cofounded the company, which was originally called Landing, with Ellie Buckingham in 2019. The startup raised a total of $9 million in venture capital from firms including Stellation Capital. The company's first product was Landing, a social media app that felt nostalgic for the 2010s days of Polyvore or Pinterest, and was a brief hit with Gen-Z users. The startup shut down the Landing app in September. The company then rebranded to Zeen and pivoted away from building a new social media platform and toward the creator economy. It introduced a shoppable collage feature that creators could use across social media platforms, particularly Substack newsletters. Creators could easily integrate affiliate-marketing links using Zeen's website. "We've had products in many different iterations through Landing and through Zeen, and we hoped that this would be something that we could grow into a much bigger business," Buckland said. Building a long-lasting, profitable social media platform isn't an easy game. That's one reason some investors have backed away from the category. Other social media darlings have faced fates of either dwindling popularity or, in some cases, shutting down entirely. For instance, Poparazzi, a photo-sharing app that was a viral hit in 2021, announced it would shut down in 2023. Meanwhile, some creator economy startups have also had to face shutdowns, like film studio Creator+. "We made the decision that now was the time to shut it down," Buckland said. "Fundraising or becoming profitable, they weren't viable pathways for us at this point. It's a sad decision, honestly."
Associated Press
16-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Exokinetics Launches Project ELEVATE Mobility Foundation -- Empowering Those in Need of Mobility Solutions
PHILADELPHIA, PA, UNITED STATES, April 16, 2025 / / -- Exokinetics, a leading mobility technology company and manufacturer of the groundbreaking Zeen mobility device, has officially launched its affiliate charitable foundation, Project ELEVATE Mobility (PEM). The PEM foundation helps provide life-changing Zeen devices to underserved individuals facing mobility challenges, empowering them with greater freedom, safety, and independence in their daily lives. Project ELEVATE Mobility is driven by a clear mission: help those who suffer from mobility loss and financial hardship to acquire the state-of-the-art Zeen mobility device. Zeen enables users to transition from sitting to standing, allowing them to walk upright, fully supported, hands-free, and without the fear of falling—transforming lives for individuals previously confined to a wheelchair or reliant on unstable walkers and canes ( See a Zeen Demo ). What sets Zeen apart is its revolutionary, non-motorized lift system, which gently raises users from a seated position to standing, providing safe, supported mobility while walking. Ideal for people with limited strength, balance, or endurance due to chronic conditions or injuries, the Zeen allows individuals to engage with their surroundings at eye level and perform everyday activities like cooking, reaching high shelves, or interacting socially. Zeen is proudly made in the USA and retails for approximately $5,000—an investment that is often not currently covered by insurance. Through PEM, accepted applicants receive generous grants matching up to $2,500 of an individual's contribution toward the purchase of their Zeen. This dollar-for-dollar matching creates a partnership, fostering a sense of ownership and dignity during the process. 'We created Zeen to help individuals safely reclaim their independence, mobility, and quality of life,' said Garrett Brown, creator of Steadicam® and Founder of Exokinetics. 'Our goal is to ensure that users can engage with the world around them at eye-level, without the fear of falling, while maintaining or regaining their physical strength and confidence.' The Zeen is suitable for children and adults weighing between 50 and 250 lbs, offering a unique solution for those experiencing mobility challenges from conditions such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), cerebral palsy, ataxia, or recovering from a stroke or injury. By promoting weight-bearing on the legs, walking with an upright posture, and reducing the fear of falling, Zeen supports overall health including cardiovascular function, muscle tone, digestion, and psychological well-being. Looking ahead, Project ELEVATE Mobility is committed to expanding its reach and supporting as many individuals as possible living with mobility challenges. For more information or to see a Zeen demonstration webinar (offered daily), please visit the website at About Exokinetics Exokinetics is a leading mobility technology company focused on restoring independence, mobility, and an active lifestyle to individuals affected by chronic conditions, age, or injury. The Zeen® is a revolutionary mobility device that helps users transition from sitting to standing and walking with ease and safety. Designed and manufactured in the USA, Zeen fills the gap between a wheelchair and a walker, offering a unique solution for individuals seeking greater mobility freedom in their daily lives. Jonathan Abramson Bluetone Marketing and PR +1 619-807-6349 [email protected] Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
