TalkShopLive Raises $3M for Live Video Shopping Platform

Talkshoplive Secures $3 Million in Seed Funding

Talkshoplive, a burgeoning startup, has successfully secured $3 million in seed funding led by Spero Ventures. The company facilitates shopping-focused live video broadcasts for a diverse clientele, ranging from globally recognized stars to local small businesses.

Company Origins and Inspiration

Founded in 2018 by Bryan Moore and his sister Tina, Talkshoplive draws upon Moore’s extensive experience in social media leadership at Twentieth Television and CBS Television. He was particularly inspired by the growing popularity of livestreamed shopping within China’s e-commerce landscape.

However, Moore recognized the need for a tailored approach. He stated that replicating the Chinese model directly wouldn’t suffice, emphasizing the distinct needs of American small businesses and talent. A key differentiator, in his view, is meeting customers on platforms they already frequent.

Accessibility and User Experience

A significant advantage of Talkshoplive is its accessibility. The platform avoids requiring users to download additional applications to view live streams.

Instead, it utilizes a versatile video player compatible with the Talkshoplive website, partner websites, and any platform supporting video embedding. Crucially, all video instances feature a streamlined one-click purchasing option.

Success Stories and Platform Growth

Talkshoplive initially focused on the book and music industries, collaborating with prominent figures such as Matthew McConaughey, Alicia Keys, and Dolly Parton, alongside Paul McCartney and Garth Brooks.

Notably, Garth Brooks leveraged Talkshoplive to generate over 1 million pre-sales for his “Legacy Collection” vinyl box set in 2019.

Within the publishing sector, Talkshoplive has partnered with major houses including Harper Collins, Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, and Macmillan. The platform reportedly drives sales figures three to nine times higher than those achieved on conventional e-commerce sites.

Empowering Small Businesses

Beyond high-profile collaborations, Talkshoplive actively supports over 3,500 small businesses. The platform enables business owners to cultivate a dedicated following by directly sharing their brand story during live broadcasts.

Moore highlighted the impact, stating that facilitating $25,000 in sales during a single show represents a substantial achievement for a small business.

Vision for the Future

Moore views Talkshoplive as an evolution of his prior social media work, centered around fostering genuine human connection in the digital realm. The company’s “ultimate goal” is to establish a “digital Main Street” accessible to businesses nationwide.

The platform is expanding into new categories like food and beauty. Moore expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with Shripriya Mahesh, a founding partner at Spero Ventures and former executive at eBay and First Look Media, to accelerate product development and scalability.

Spero Ventures’ Perspective

Shripriya Mahesh commented, “From the moment we met the Talkshoplive team, we were impressed with their focus on enabling SMB’s with a new, creative, innovative way to build their businesses.”

She further added, “Talkshoplive also innovates on the marketplace model with a way for buyers to truly engage with the sellers, get to know them, and experience shopping in a whole new way. We are incredibly excited by the community that is taking shape at Talkshoplive and are thrilled to be working with Bryan, Tina, and the TSL team as they grow their community and the marketplace.”