Yik Yak is a technology company.
Yik Yak has raised $76.0M across 3 funding rounds.
Yik Yak has raised $76.0M in total across 3 funding rounds.
Yik Yak is a pseudonymous social media app that enables college students to create and view anonymous discussion threads, called "Yaks," within a 5-mile radius, fostering hyperlocal connections on campuses.[3][1][4] It serves primarily high school and college users seeking quick, location-based interactions without revealing identities, solving the problem of building community and sharing thoughts in proximity while avoiding broader social media pressures.[1][5][7] Originally launched in 2013, it raised $73.52M before shutting down in 2017 due to controversies, relaunched in 2021, and was acquired by rival Sidechat (also known as Flower Ave in some reports) in March 2023; as of 2025, it maintains operations with around 160-175 employees and reported revenue near $25.8M, focusing on iOS with active campus engagement.[1][2][3][5][6][7]
Yik Yak was founded in 2013 by college students Tyler Droll and Brooks Buffington, both at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, who developed the app as college friends to enable anonymous, location-based sharing among peers.[4][3] The idea emerged from a desire for proximity-based social networking, launching in November 2013 and quickly gaining traction on U.S. campuses with millions in venture capital funding.[1][4] Early growth was explosive in 2013-2014, but by 2016, user downloads dropped 76% amid criticism for cyberbullying, racism, and harassment, leading to 60% layoffs and shutdown in April 2017; its IP was acquired by Block Inc. (formerly Square) for $1M in an acquihire.[3][1] Relaunched August 2021 on iOS, it was bought by Sidechat in March 2023, continuing to target college users.[3][1][6]
Yik Yak rides the resurgence of hyperlocal, anonymous social apps amid Gen Z's fatigue with polished platforms like Instagram or TikTok, capitalizing on campus nostalgia for unfiltered campus banter.[3][6] Timing aligns with post-pandemic student isolation and privacy demands, where proximity-based tools fill gaps in fragmented social media; market forces like iOS dominance and college marketing favor its niche over broader apps.[1][7] It influences the ecosystem by validating pseudonymous models—Sidechat's 2023 acquisition merges rivals, potentially consolidating campus social space while highlighting risks like moderation challenges that doomed peers.[3][6]
Yik Yak's post-acquisition stability positions it to expand via Sidechat synergies, potentially adding Android support or AI moderation to boost daily actives beyond campuses.[3][7] Trends like campus mental health focus and ephemeral content will shape it, but scaling without reigniting toxicity remains key; influence may evolve toward niche leader in "herd-finding" tools, tying back to its core as the original hyperlocal yak that keeps students connected anonymously.[1][5]
Yik Yak has raised $76.0M in total across 3 funding rounds.
Yik Yak's investors include ACME Capital, Alsop Louie Partners, BoxGroup, Collaborative Seed & Growth Partners, CRV, Draper Associates, Entrée Capital Ventures, Founder Collective, Founders Circle Capital, General Catalyst, Goat Capital, Hubrix Ventures.
Yik Yak has raised $76.0M across 3 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $62.0M Series B in November 2014.