Universe, a startup offering a mobile website builder, has secured €10 million in Series A funding from Google Ventures. The company started as a mobile landing page builder to help digital natives quickly create a website that can then be added to their profile on social networking sites. Its modular builder uses drag and drop blocks to add images, videos, and content to create a mobile website in minutes. The platform is now mature "from a landing page builder to a full-fledged website builder," offering various customization options. There is an eCommerce solution for individuals and small business owners to display and sell their products and services online.
Mobile first
Universe CEO Joseph Cohen said the company wants to focus on "people who don't work in offices." With its mobile-first approach, the company aims to hire market leaders like Shopify, which focuses primarily on office websites. Cohen says that Shopify is "complex and not mobile-first," while Universe is a simple and easy-to-use platform, making it easy for non-techies to build websites. Currently only available on iOS mobile devices, Universe does not charge commission for the first €1,000 of revenue. However, he plans to deduct a 10% stake once the free phase is over. Since the commission charged by Universe is higher than most of its competitors, it can have an impact on its target user base, which is mainly individuals. The company, according to Cohen, is working on a few other revenue options such as offering multiple tiers, such as a free and paid premium tier, with added benefits like analytics and more. Via: TechCrunch