TTYL

About TTYL

TTYL Inc. is a social media company that develops applications to foster authentic online connections. The company was founded in 2018 by brothers Alex and Austen Ma, along with Zay Turner. The founders, alumni of UCLA, aimed to create platforms that help people feel more connected.

The company's initial product was TTYL, an audio-based social network released in 2019 where users could spontaneously drop into voice chats with their close friends, similar to a walkie-talkie experience for groups. In May 2021, the company launched Poparazzi, a photo-sharing app that went viral by prohibiting users from taking selfies with the front-facing camera. The concept required users' friends to act as their personal "paparazzi," posting candid photos to their profiles, thereby removing the pressure for picture-perfect, curated content. Following Poparazzi's successful launch, TTYL Inc. reportedly raised approximately $20 million in a Series A funding round led by Benchmark, achieving a valuation of about $135 million. The company had previously secured $2 million in seed funding in 2018 from investors including Floodgate.

TTYL Inc. has continued to innovate in the social space, developing other apps such as Made With Friends, which allows a user's profile to be built by friends who answer questions and share content about them. The business operates in the competitive social networking market, targeting Gen Z users who are seeking more genuine alternatives to established platforms. Its business model appears to be focused on achieving viral user growth and engagement, supported by venture capital funding.