The popular, audio-based social network Clubhouse has announced a new round of funding – the specific amount of which remains undisclosed – in a Series B investment spearheaded by Andreessen Horowitz, through partner Andrew Chen. Reports from The Information suggested a $1 billion valuation prior to this announcement. We are currently working to verify the precise value of this funding round (Update: Axios reports a figure of $100 million) and the resulting company valuation. However, Clubhouse has confirmed plans to introduce features enabling creators to earn revenue on the platform, including options for subscriptions, direct tipping, and paid ticketed events.

This new funding will also facilitate the launch of a “Creator Grant Program” by Clubhouse, designed to “empower up-and-coming Clubhouse creators,” as detailed in the company’s official blog. While the app has successfully attracted a significant number of prominent creators, including celebrities and political figures, providing avenues for revenue generation will likely encourage continued engagement and attract further investment from new creators seeking to build their presence, mirroring the trajectory of influencers on platforms like YouTube and TikTok.

Naturally, enabling user monetization also presents Clubhouse with its own opportunities for revenue generation. Currently, the platform is available to all users without charge and does not employ any premium subscriptions or advertising. Allowing users to financially support one another creates a potential pathway for Clubhouse to collect a percentage of these transactions as a service fee.

The strategies for creator monetization appear to be flexible at this stage, with Clubhouse planning to initiate “initial testing” of each proposed method – tipping, ticketed events, and subscriptions – over the coming months. These features could function similarly to a Patreon-like system integrated directly within the platform. Ticketed events represent a novel approach, particularly suited to Clubhouse’s format of structured discussions and could also encourage wider adoption by organizations looking to host virtual gatherings.

The company also revealed its intention to begin development of an Android application, currently exclusive to iOS users, and to invest in infrastructure improvements to accommodate growing user demand. This includes expanding the support team and developing tools for identifying and addressing abusive behavior. Clubhouse has faced criticism regarding its moderation practices and abuse prevention efforts, making this area of development a key focus. The platform will also implement enhancements to its discovery features, aiming to better connect users with relevant individuals, groups (“clubs” within the app), and live rooms.

During a regularly scheduled virtual town hall hosted by the app’s founders, CEO Paul Davison disclosed that Clubhouse now boasts 2 million weekly active users. It is also noteworthy that Clubhouse reports having “more than 180 investors” in the company, a substantial number for a Series B round – although a significant portion likely consists of smaller, independent investors with limited ownership stakes.