Influencer Platform Trufan to Launch with Backing of Big Sports Names
*By Michael Teich*
Trufan, a new platform letting brands and influencers reward their most loyal fans on social media, has attracted the attention of big names in sports and entertainment, but CEO Swish Goswami told Cheddar he's taking a "very Canadian approach" by catering to mom-and-pop shops as well.
The Toronto-based company uses a proprietary algorithm to identify a social media user's most influential and engaged followers, who can then be targeted with special promotions, ads or other messaging. The tool is still about a month away from launch but has already caught the attention of some notable names in sports. It raised $1 million from investors including the Los Angeles Lakers' Kyle Kuzma and the CEO of DraftKings Jason Robins.
Brands working with Trufan in private beta include Under Armour ($UAA), Western Union, and the esports organization 100 Thieves. Influencers who gave the platform a test-run included Kevin Hart, Gucci Mane, Chris Paul, and Dwyane Wade.
"For a lot of the market for social media management tools, they don't really cater to mom-and-pop shops and small businesses that we like to do. So we're taking a very Canadian approach," he said, "which is to say we're trying to go after people that were just overlooked by a really big market."
Pricing for the monthly subscription platform starts at $9.99 per month for small businesses and then rises to an enterprise pricing tier for big brands.
While the initial focus has been on the sports community, Goswami said he eventually plans to expand Trufan's reach.
"Three big spaces are e-commerce, the cannabis industry because it is legalized in Canada where I'm from, and finally esports," he said.
For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/the-influencer-program-rewarding-fans-for-loyalty).
Whether it’s a deepfake video of actor Tom Cruise discovering gum in a lollipop or President Joe Biden discouraging people from voting via telephone, you’ve likely come across a deepfake video, photo or audio recording.
Tensions in the South China Sea, Apple moving to India, and banning TikTok? The podcast ‘Face Off: The U.S. Versus China’ helps explain how we got here.
Cust2Mate is a leading innovator in retail technology, aiming to revolutionize the shopping experience. By implementing smart cart technology, the tech company addresses the issue of theft while enhancing the shopper's journey.
The Biden administration has unveiled a plan, Plan B, to address the student loan debt crisis. It offers to cancel up to $20,000 in interest for borrowers enrolled in income-driven repayment plans. This proposal aims to reset balances for those facing growing debt due to unpaid interest, benefiting low—and middle-income borrowers. An estimated 25 million borrowers are eligible for some form of interest forgiveness.
As we head into the second quarter, there’s an argument in favor of buying Boeing stock. Why? As one expert says, ‘there’s nowhere else to get planes.’
With inflation and prices still on the rise, it might be worth considering a carpool app. One of them, Singapore-based Ryde, just went public in the U.S.
Full Glass Wine Co., the company behind Bright Cellars, Wine Insiders, and Winc, knows you fell in love with home delivery during the pandemic – and it’s investing millions into making it even better.
