A startup app that allows non-coders to create apps easily, Crowdaa raises 1.2 million as they continue with plans to expand to the U.S.A soon.
Vigile Hoareau is a computer programmer, musician, and cognitive psychologist. Jimmy Thomas, a producer of multiplatinum rap albums, has collaborated with Motown Records and Tupac. They are the joint inventors of Crowdaa, a French company that facilitates the creation and distribution of mobile applications by non-developers.
They bonded over their desire to grant more control over platforms to creatives, particularly the emerging class of content creators, ever since they were first introduced eight years ago. At the time, Hoareau had already introduced a Crowdaa prototype in Réunion, the French island territory from which he originates. “Our perspective on the role and contribution of technology for content creators and communities was identical,” he explained.
Hoareau and Thomas initially developed a music-centric product but shifted their focus to become a universal service during the pandemic. Hoareau told TechCrunch, “With a few simple clicks, professional and entertainment communities can publish their apps on the stores using Crowdaa.” “They possess the users, the content, and the data.” If applicable, they determine their method of monetization.
One of the new features in the company’s enhanced update unveiled on Thursday is automating the app development, deployment, and submission processes to the Apple Store and Google Play. Crowdaa stated that once an application is complete and a developer account has been established, it becomes accessible on Apple’s Testflight in only twenty minutes. The purpose is to facilitate app development, which can reduce the entry into new markets.
The company asserts that it distinguishes itself from rivals by providing vertically integrated solutions that enable app development without requiring extensive development resource tools. Hoareau stated, “We do something particular, but we do it up.”
Additionally, the app’s goals attract investors’ interest: Apicap recently led a pilot round of €1.2 million that Crowdaa recently disclosed. According to the company, Crowdaa is being utilized by political parties, organizations, and sports teams to develop applications and increase consumer engagement. The platform’s strength resides in its underlying technology, which consists of a full-stack service, a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface, and incorporated legal and compliance tools.
Hoareau stated that the fundraising process was quite tricky and described how difficult it is to be a founder from Réunion, given that mainland investors in France tend to overlook the territories. He and Thomas were compelled to invest time cultivating connections and broadening their professional networks, which they could leverage alongside participating in accelerator programs such as the Nvidia Inception program, which provided financial support for the organization. Tremulous Capital and Teampact Venture are two additional investors in the round.