Investment

Nine UK TikTok creators have been announced as the first recipients of a new fund designed to support its most popular users.

The Chinese video-based social network recently announced a European fund, starting initially with $70m in the first year and expected to rise to a total of at least $30m within three years.

Tens of thousands of creators in Europe will be eligible to apply for the fund from September, provided they are 18 years or older, meet a baseline of 10,000 followers, have over 10,000 video views in the past 30 days and post original content in line with its  community guidelines.

All eligible creators will be able to apply in-app for the Creator Fund and will receive the funds in regular monthly installments based on the performance of their content.

“These first creators represent just a small snapshot of the diverse ecosystem of authentic and joyful content that makes TikTok what it is today” said Rich Waterworth, General Manager, TikTok Europe.

“This is just the beginning. We can’t wait to take this even further to even more creators across Europe.”

Initial recipients of the fund include Florence Simpson from Portsmouth who joined TikTok in May 2020. Simpson uses her channel to encourage body positivity and share her recipes, workout tips and and honest accounts of her daily life.

Bedford-based Sherice Banton has also received funding. The comedian performs impressions visual comedy on her channel.

James Lewis, an artist based in Wales, shares his calligraphy and painting and his creative process, including the reimagining of pop culture figures.

Other recipients include London-based men’s fashion and lifestyle content creator Tim Dessaint, Leeds-based make-up artist Abby Roberts, and freestyle footballer Lia Lewis. 

The amount received by the creators was not disclosed.

Why is only TikTok under microscope when most social apps are just as dangerous?