Nas Academy Raises $11M to Empower Creators

The Rise of Creator-Led Education

A growing number of investors are demonstrating confidence in a future shaped by creators, and Nas Academy is positioning itself to capitalize on this trend by establishing a comprehensive network of “virtual universities.”

Nas Academy's Platform

This Singapore-based startup is developing a platform designed to enable creators to effectively monetize their expertise. It provides them with the necessary tools to design and deliver their own online classes and academies to their dedicated fan base.

Nuseir Yassin, a prominent video blogger and influencer, founded and leads Nas Academy. His Nas Daily social media channels have amassed a substantial following, totaling tens of millions of users across various platforms.

Recent Funding

Nas Academy has successfully secured $11 million in Series A funding. Lightspeed Venture Partners spearheaded the investment round, with further contributions from Balaji Srinivasan, Emilie Choi, TechAviv Founder Partners, 500 Startups, fresh.fund, and Metapurse.

Addressing Market Needs

The platform supports both on-demand class portfolios and live courses. A built-in marketplace allows users to easily discover and select courses that align with their interests. Yassin believes this platform will instill greater trust for consumers seeking online education, mitigating concerns about fraudulent or substandard offerings.

“The market requires established, reliable brands and quality guarantees,” he stated.

Course Offerings and Pricing

Currently, a significant portion of the courses focus on the intricacies of online influence, covering topics such as video editing, content marketing, and entrepreneurship.

Course prices on the platform vary considerably, ranging from $29 to $499. Bundled course packages are also available, and the platform intends to introduce a subscription model in the future.

Monetization and Creator Reach

Nas Academy generates revenue by taking a percentage of course sales. This percentage may fluctuate, particularly during the platform’s initial phase as it operates on an invite-only basis for creators.

As the platform expands its accessibility, Yassin envisions it as a tool for creators to broaden their audience reach. Instructors will have access to their students’ email addresses, enabling direct communication outside the platform if desired.

The Growing Creator Economy

Investment in startups focused on the creator economy has been steadily increasing, especially over the past year. Patreon, a creator platform, recently achieved a valuation of $4 billion.

Yassin recognizes a substantial opportunity in fostering stronger connections between creators and their audiences, as well as providing a learning pathway for aspiring creators joining the platform.

Future Potential

“We anticipate that there are 100,000 creators who won’t receive an invitation to create a MasterClass,” Yassin explained to TechCrunch. “The demand for internet skills significantly exceeds the current supply.”