Glorify App Secures $40M Series A Funding - a16z Led

The Growing Market for Faith-Based Applications

Apps, tools, and online communities centered around religion are not a novel concept, even within the investment landscape. For instance, Pray.com, a Los Angeles-based application offering daily prayer and bedtime Bible stories, established in 2016, has secured at least $34 million in funding from investors, including Kleiner Perkins.

Ministry Brands, a Knoxville, Tennessee-based company operating for nine years and encompassing numerous software and payment solutions for faith-based organizations, was acquired in 2016 by Insight Partners for $1.4 billion, with reports suggesting a potential resale is now being considered.

Increased Demand and Visibility

However, a surge in growth is currently being observed within faith-based apps and communities, largely attributed to the pandemic-induced closure of churches. The most widely used Bible app, for example, is now installed on over 400 million devices globally, resulting in heightened attention.

Introducing Glorify: A New Contender

Glorify represents the latest entrant into this market, a two-year-old, 60-employee subscription-based “well-being” application. It provides users with guided meditation, accompanied by audio Bible passages and Christian music.

The London-based company recently completed a Series A funding round, raising $40 million, led by Andreessen Horowitz, with participation from SoftBank Latin America Fund, K5 Global, and a diverse group of prominent individuals, including Kris Jenner, Corey Gamble, Michael Ovitz, Jason Derulo, and Michael Bublé.

Insights from the Co-Founder

We recently spoke with Ed Beccle, the 22-year-old co-founder and co-CEO of Glorify. He shared that he dedicates approximately one-third of his time to São Paulo and previously sold a prior company for a “multimillion-dollar” sum.

Notably, he revealed that he left high school at the age of 16 to pursue his entrepreneurial ventures.

A Vision Beyond Traditional Faith Practices

TC: Considering this is your third or fourth startup, was Glorify born from identifying a market opportunity, personal religious conviction, or a blend of both?

EB: I believe it’s undoubtedly a combination. It’s difficult to avoid philosophical contemplation when you’re young and achieving success, potentially earning more than your peers. I began to reflect on what I would pursue if resources were unlimited, beyond simply affording luxuries.

The answer consistently revolved around developing technology that influences how people think and feel – that’s a core obsession for me. I’m incredibly proud of this company because it transcends a mere business venture. It stems from both my personal beliefs and a recognition of its immense commercial potential.

The Investor Network

TC: Your investor group is quite remarkable. How did this come about?

EB: It unfolded similarly to my previous endeavors – through persistent networking, engaging with numerous individuals, and occasionally placing myself in challenging situations to connect with the right people. The involvement of celebrities was unexpected.

Michael Kives, of K5 Global, proved instrumental, inviting me to dinner with the Kardashians and a guest list of approximately 25 A-list celebrities. The attendees included Michael Bublé and Jason Derulo, and the names publicly released represent only a fraction of those involved.

Creating a Cultural Movement

The motivation behind securing such high-profile involvement is to cultivate a cultural movement centered around faith, transforming the act of believing in God into something empowering and life-changing. My aim is to encourage these individuals to utilize Glorify as a platform for expressing their faith.

Business Performance and Growth

TC: Could you share some of the key business metrics that attracted these investors?

EB: We currently average at least 250,000 daily active users and have surpassed 2.5 million downloads in the past year. Growth has accelerated significantly in the last six months, largely driven by organic means. We intentionally delayed introducing viral features, believing it was premature.

The Future: A Different Kind of Social Network

TC: Do you envision Glorify evolving into a full-fledged social network?

EB: Absolutely. However, we aim to approach social networking differently, prioritizing distinct objectives. We want to foster close-knit, engaged communities built on shared purpose, rather than the superficial engagement prevalent in many existing platforms.

We don’t rely on advertising revenue; the user is not the product. Our goal is to connect people meaningfully, not necessarily in large groups, but through impactful interactions that strengthen relationships.

Financial Outlook

TC: Are you nearing profitability?

EB: Not yet, but it’s a deliberate strategy. We’ve demonstrated successful paid conversion rates, which is encouraging. We anticipate that our engaged audience will be more inclined to purchase additional products we develop.

We plan to enhance our core worship product within the Glorify app, while simultaneously exploring opportunities to offer complementary products that appeal to this audience.

Expanding Beyond Core Offerings

TC: Are you considering areas like virtual tithing or Bible study resources?

EB: Christian dating is one example. Existing platforms often resemble Christian Tinder, prioritizing visual matching. We believe a different approach is warranted.

As a Glorify user, individuals could be matched based on shared beliefs and engagement with the Bible, providing us with a unique competitive advantage.

Pictured above: Henry Costa and Ed Beccle, co-CEOs of Glorify. They first connected at a co-working space while Costa was involved in angel investing in London. Beccle recounts an immediate rapport, leading to Costa’s involvement as co-founder in their previous company, and later, Glorify.