Relevnt Secures $2.5 mln in Seed Funding To Connect People Using Live Interactive Podcasting

Relevnt, a social messaging startup, based in Ponte Vedra, has raised $2.5 million in seed funding to allow people to connect and interact via its group messaging platform.

The funding round brings the total funding raised by the startup to $5.5 million. The new capital will be used to accelerate Relevnt’s strategic product and community growth efforts.

Relevn’t has developed a group messaging platform that takes a fresh stake in the podcasting experience. Whereas podcasting is usually not an interactive experience, the startup’s podcasting feature takes place in real-time, allowing users to “find their vibe” and connect around it. With geolocation, sharing, and interest-filtering capabilities, the app is all about getting to know people based on their interests.

While platforms like Reddit and Tumblr already allow people to group by common interests, Relevnt’s live interaction and location-based approach also seek to empower civil discussion, allowing everyone to create content during the interaction. Winder Hughes, Relevnt CEO and Founder, referred to this approach by stating:

“There are limitless outlets to consume entertaining and meaningful content. There are several others built just for messaging, and yet another group focused just on creating and casting content. What’s been missing is a solid connection between the content, the people who care about it and your empowered voice. Relevnt simply brings together your big and small interests, your people and you. This new funding and our rapid growth are exciting indicators that Relevnt is filling a deep and varied need.”

With over 2 million podcasts in existence, the medium has quickly become increasingly competitive and saturated. However, the interaction between hosts and listeners has always been limited by the nature of the format, usually requiring other platforms like Twitch. By bringing the listeners themselves into the podcast, Relevn’t opens new opportunities to generate content and innovate in an increasingly-relevant medium.