Clouted automates the process of making short videos viral
It is no coincidence that short video clips from podcasts, songs, and movies are becoming popular on social media. Brands have realized that this format is the most effective and affordable way to advertise products. Companies usually hire independent creators to clip the most interesting 30-90 seconds of a video, but managing this process and determining where to distribute the videos creates significant operational challenges. This is reported by Techcrunch.com reports .
Clouted, a startup that went through a16z’s Speedrun accelerator in 2024, is building infrastructure to solve this problem. The platform uses a network of over 100,000 freelance creators to edit videos, then uses AI to identify the best social media platforms and target audiences for promotion. Startup founder Justin Banusing successfully tested this technology initially to promote his own electronic music festivals.
Clouted’s approach has sparked great interest among investors. The startup recently closed a $7 million investment round led by Slow Ventures. Unlike standard marketing tools, Clouted does not just increase the number of videos. Its AI continuously tests different formats and channels, analyzing which ones perform best. This ensures that each new campaign is more effective than the last.
The system’s operating principle is similar to "penetration testing" in cybersecurity. Only here, AI and creators look for ways to "crack" social media algorithms and make content go viral, rather than finding security flaws. According to Banusing, the platform learns over time which formats win and which audiences convert into customers.
While Clouted is currently competing with startups like Overlap AI, its main goal is to reach the level of major marketing infrastructure players like CreatorIQ and Hightouch. The fact that Hightouch’s annual revenue has exceeded $100 million shows how vast this market is. Clouted aims to take the lead in this exact direction.
