Giggles Raises $1.2 Million in Pre-Seed Round

Giggles, a company aiming to revolutionize how users interact with viral content, announced a $1.2 million pre-seed funding round on April 13, 2026. The round was led by 1kx, with participation from Noar Ventures, Bain Capital Scout, Virtuals Protocol, and Night Capital. Founded in 2025 by Justin Jin and Edwin Wang, Giggles is developing a platform where users can trade stakes in viral videos, turning content discovery into a financially rewarding activity.

Pioneering a New Social Media Experience

Giggles seeks to shift the social media landscape from passive consumption to active engagement. By allowing users to buy and sell stakes in videos, the platform offers a novel way to financially benefit from early content discovery. "Giggles is designed for a new generation who are already discovering, backing, and amplifying trends across the internet," said Justin Jin, Co-Founder and CEO of Giggles.

The platform has already seen promising early traction, with nearly 30,000 daily active users since its beta launch in August 2025. Additionally, a waitlist for the service has grown to more than 400,000 users, indicating strong interest ahead of its full public release on iOS, Android, and web platforms.

Quotes from Founders and Investors

Edwin Wang, Co-Founder of Giggles, explained the innovative approach: "Users are treating cultural discovery the way investors treat early equity stakes. We turned that into something users can actually act on."

Jakub Rusiecki, Research Associate at 1kx, added: "Prediction markets show that people enjoy having a stake in outcomes, not just watching them unfold. We believe the concept of rewarding young people for identifying viral content early is an elegant blend of social participation and financialized incentives."

Strategic Use of Funds

The newly acquired funds will be used to enhance Giggles' product capabilities, incorporate real-money mechanics, and scale distribution efforts. This preparation is crucial as the company gears up for a wider launch, aiming to attract an even larger user base and solidify its position in the evolving social media landscape.

Looking Ahead

With this funding, Giggles is poised to further develop its platform and continue its mission of transforming viral content into a tradable asset class. The company is set to redefine how users engage with social media, offering financial incentives for early adopters and trendsetters.