Bluesky secures $15M Series A funding as user base surpasses 13 million milestone
Decentralized social platform Bluesky raises $15M in Series A funding, expands features and reaches 13M users while maintaining no-crypto stance.
On October 24, 2024, Bluesky, the decentralized social media platform, secured $15 million in Series A funding led by Blockchain Capital, marking a crucial expansion phase for the AT Protocol developer ecosystem. According to the official announcement from the Bluesky team, the funding round included notable participants such as Alumni Ventures, True Ventures, SevenX, and industry veterans Amir Shevat of Darkmode and Kubernetes co-creator Joe Beda.
According to Bluesky's latest metrics, the platform has experienced remarkable growth, expanding from an invite-only application with 1 million users to an open platform serving more than 13 million people globally. The user base spans multiple countries, with significant adoption in the United States, Brazil, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Germany.
The platform's technical foundation has shown substantial advancement since its previous funding round. According to the development team, more than 1,000 personal data servers (PDS) now operate outside of Bluesky's direct control, demonstrating the platform's commitment to decentralization. The system currently supports over 50,000 custom feeds, enabling algorithmic choice for users.
According to the platform's documentation, Bluesky has implemented several key features during its growth phase:
- Direct messaging capabilities
- Video content support
- GIF integration
- Enhanced anti-harassment tools
- Trust and Safety mechanisms
- Open-source moderation tool called Ozone
- Starter packs for community building
- Public web interface
According to the funding announcement, Bluesky plans to implement a subscription model focusing on enhanced features, including:
- Higher quality video uploads
- Profile customization options
- Color schemes
- Avatar frames
The platform has explicitly stated that basic services will remain free, emphasizing their commitment to accessible information and conversation. According to the announcement, paid subscriptions will not influence account visibility in the platform's ranking system.
The AT Protocol, Bluesky's underlying technology, has fostered a diverse application ecosystem. According to the platform's documentation, several independent applications have emerged:
- Smoke Signal: An events-focused application
- Frontpage: A web forum platform
- Bluecast: An audio application featuring licensed karaoke functionality
According to the funding announcement, Kinjal Shah from Blockchain Capital will join Bluesky's board of directors. The platform operates as a Public Benefit Corporation, maintaining its stance against blockchain integration, cryptocurrency, NFTs, and other hyperfinancialized social experiences.
According to the company's records, Bluesky has established strategic partnerships with:
- Buffer for platform integration
- Namecheap for domain services
- Various developer initiatives supported by $20,000 in grants
Key Facts
- Funding Amount: $15 million Series A
- Current User Base: 13+ million
- External PDS Servers: 1,000+
- Custom Feeds: 50,000+
- Developer Grants: $20,000
- Announcement Date: October 24, 2024
- Operating Structure: Public Benefit Corporation
- Geographic Presence: US, Brazil, Japan, UK, Germany
- Core Features: Direct messaging, video support, custom feeds
- Technology Foundation: AT Protocol
- Development Focus: Trust and Safety, community growth, developer ecosystem