Co-Browsing is the Future: Startups & VCs See Web Browsing Together

The Rise of Multiplayer Browsing Experiences

During the recent pandemic, the Netflix Party browser extension experienced a surge in popularity. It allowed individuals confined to their homes to enjoy simultaneous viewing of Netflix content with friends and family, accompanied by a real-time chat feature.

However, this initial success was merely a starting point, according to two emerging companies that have secured seed funding. One London-based startup, established a year ago and launching in December, recently completed a funding round led by Craft Ventures. The other, a Bay Area company with four years of operation, has previously raised $3 million in seed funding, including investment from 500 Startups.

A Growing Opportunity

Both companies posit that while investment has heavily favored virtual events and edtech, a significant opportunity exists in developing a multiplayer browsing experience. This would enable users to engage in a wider range of activities together online. Potential applications range from watching sporting events and films to even collaborative medical image review.

They believe that shared web experiences, particularly among younger demographics, are poised for substantial growth.

Giggl: Virtual Portals for Shared Browsing

Giggl, the London-based startup backed by Craft Ventures, offers users access to virtual sessions termed “portals.” Within these portals, friends can collaboratively browse content, engage in text chat, and participate in voice calls.

These portals can be configured as private spaces or opened to the public for broader participation.

Founded by four lifelong friends, including 19-year-old Chief Product Officer Tony Zog, Giggl recently completed the LAUNCH accelerator program. The platform currently boasts approximately 20,000 active monthly users.

Platform and Monetization Strategy

Giggl aims to establish a versatile platform catering to diverse scenarios. Basic chat functionality during web surfing or event viewing, such as the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference, will remain free.

However, the company intends to introduce premium features and offer subscriptions to businesses seeking enhanced collaboration tools.

Hearo.live: Synchronized Streaming and Enhanced Audio

Hearo.live, the startup supported by 500 Startups, adopts a more focused approach. Rather than enabling browsing of any website, Hearo provides access to over 35 broadcast services in the U.S., including NBC Sports, YouTube, and Disney+.

A key feature of Hearo is its data synchronization technology, ensuring all users experience the same video quality.

Addressing Audio Challenges

Hearo has also prioritized audio quality, implementing echo cancellation and other techniques to prevent disruptive feedback loops during simultaneous audio streams. This is particularly important when users are watching events and commenting concurrently.

According to founder Ned Lerner, these “special audio tricks” deliver a seamless experience, comparable to Clubhouse but integrated with video content.

Monetization and User Growth

Hearo envisions a subscription-based model and anticipates revenue sharing with sports broadcasters. The company is already collaborating with the European Broadcasting Union on this front.

Currently, Hearo has accumulated 300,000 app downloads across iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS, with 60,000 active monthly users.

This raises the question of whether “watching together online” represents a truly substantial market opportunity.

Existing Players and Past Challenges

Scener, an app with a longer history, reports 2 million registered users, though its engagement is described as “healthy-but-not-massive.” Scener specifically positions itself as a virtual movie theater.

Rabbit, a similar company founded in 2013, ultimately failed due to issues surrounding the sharing of copyrighted material and the inability to monetize its service.

The Future of Shared Online Experiences

Lerner believes the demand for these services will persist, particularly among a generation comfortable with mobile video consumption. He suggests that screen time, often perceived as isolating, could evolve into a social activity, mirroring the experience of watching a game together on a couch.

He draws a parallel to the evolution of gaming, from single-player to multiplayer experiences with integrated voice chat.

Zog echoes this sentiment, anticipating that online socializing will complement, rather than replace, real-world interactions as pandemic restrictions ease.

Giggl’s ultimate goal is to create online experiences that are indistinguishable from those enjoyed in person.