Unlock is an open-source protocol built on Ethereum that enables creators to monetize and manage community memberships via NFTs. Its tools include a WordPress plug-in for adding membership/subscription options and a community-created Shopify plug-in for Unlock-based purchases. The protocol is used by artists, musicians, game developers (including Decentraland), writers, Discord communities and others. Unlock says it plans partnerships with major media brands that are adopting its protocol. Julien Genestoux, Unlock’s CEO, said the new funding will help the company grow into a more complete open-source platform for creator memberships. The company was founded in 2018 and records transactions on the Ethereum blockchain. Unlock provides a protocol authors can implement via a JavaScript snippet to add "locks" (smart contracts) to their content and sell access "keys" (tokens). Creators control key economics — price, expiry and other settings — and keys are tradable, enabling a secondary market and delayed-access resale. The protocol includes referral incentives that let supporters reclaim some value when others buy keys on their recommendation. Unlock has published its protocol code on GitHub and recently hired its first employee, Ben Werdmuller. Founder Julien Genestoux envisions Unlock as a future syndication layer for the web, restoring a more decentralized feed model. The New York–based company has secured external capital to accelerate development, having raised $1.675 million in pre-seed funding.

Total raised

$6M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

Sep 2021