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Simbi operates a non-profit, web-based platform facilitating a cashless, symbiotic economy. It enables individuals and organizations to exchange skills, services, and talents, rather than currency, promoting mutual aid and community development. This network supports volunteership and education by connecting those who need help with those who can provide it, fostering a system of reciprocal contributions.
Founded in 2015 by Aaron Friedland, Simbi emerged from the insight to create a marketplace driven by skills and services, not traditional monetary transactions. Friedland's vision was to build a reciprocal economy where every contribution holds inherent value, moving beyond cash or credit systems to foster community well-being and strengthen social bonds through shared resources.
Simbi serves individuals seeking to offer or receive services without direct financial exchange, alongside non-profit projects looking for volunteers and support. As a recognized non-profit mutual aid network, its long-term vision is to expand the reach and utility of this cashless system, empowering communities worldwide through shared expertise and collective support, thereby cultivating a more connected and resilient society.
Simbi.com has raised $1.0M across 1 funding round.
Simbi.com has raised $1.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Simbi.com has raised $1.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Simbi.com's investors include Abstract Ventures, Casa Verde Capital, Catapult Capital, CP Ventures, Liquid 2 Ventures, Long Journey Ventures, Penny Jar Capital, Polychain Capital, Gil Penchina, Sound Ventures, Sweet Capital, Thirty Five Ventures.
Simbi is a non-profit organization operating an online talent exchange platform that enables users to barter services and skills using an internal token system, bypassing traditional currency to foster mutual aid and community skill-sharing.[1][3][4] Primarily serving individuals, freelancers, and independent workers seeking alternative economic models, it solves the problem of underutilized skills and economic exclusion by turning unbooked hours into value through a trust-based, community-driven marketplace.[1][3][4] Early growth included 95% month-over-month expansion and $100,000 in monthly service trades, with backing from investors like Y Combinator and Greylock Partners via $1.38M in seed funding.[1]
Founded in 2015, Simbi emerged in the sharing economy wave, initially headquartered in San Francisco (with later mentions in Sacramento and San Jose, California), as a response to traditional market limitations by leveraging human generosity and collaboration.[1][3][4] Key figures include volunteers and board members like David Anderson (Strategy & Operations Lead, focused on digital community currencies), Paul Meville (Founder of Heart of Avalon, Inc., providing financial support since 2018 as Treasurer), and Nick Zhebrun (Lead Developer with a PhD in Computer Science and e-commerce expertise).[6] Early traction featured rapid growth—53-95% monthly—and profitability with $500,000 in sales, positioning it as a clearinghouse for bartering potentially larger than the $14B market estimate.[1]
(Note: A separate Brazilian entity, simbi.social, offers social investment SaaS but is distinct from the primary U.S.-based Simbi.com.[2])
Simbi rides the trend of decentralized, sharing, and symbiotic economies, amplified by post-pandemic interest in mutual aid, gig work alternatives, and community resilience amid economic uncertainty.[1][3][4] Its timing aligns with rising freelance economies and blockchain-inspired token systems, making bartering scalable and safe—potentially expanding beyond the $14B market through a trusted clearinghouse.[1] Market forces like inflation, remote work, and sustainability demands favor its model, influencing the ecosystem by supporting small entrepreneurs, increasing economic size via untapped skills, and inspiring non-speculative digital currencies.[3][4][6]
Simbi's trajectory points toward broader adoption as a mutual aid staple, potentially scaling via partnerships (e.g., financing expansions hinted in early reports) and tech enhancements from its developer team.[1][6] Trends like AI-driven matching, Web3 tokens, and global community networks will shape its growth, evolving its influence from niche barter to a core infrastructure for symbiotic economies. With seed funding and profitability foundations, it could redefine value exchange, tying back to its mission of rebuilding economies through human connection rather than cash.[1][3]
Simbi.com has raised $1.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $1.0M Seed in August 2016.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 1, 2016 | $1.0M Seed | Abstract Ventures, Casa Verde Capital, Catapult Capital, CP Ventures, Liquid 2 Ventures, Long Journey Ventures, Penny Jar Capital, Polychain Capital, Gil Penchina, Sound Ventures, Sweet Capital, Thirty Five Ventures, Andre Iguodala, Anjula Acharia Bath, Eric Ries, Jens Christensen, Yee Lee |