Clout Kitchen, an innovative AI startup with dual operations in Los Angeles and Manila, announced on 4 October 2024 the completion of a $4.45 million seed funding round. Led by a16z SPEEDRUN and Peak XV’s Surge, the round drew investment from renowned venture groups and gaming creators, spotlighting the rising influence of creator-driven technology in interactive gaming.

Founded in 2024, Clout Kitchen focuses on developing interactive experiences that empower gaming creators to engage and expand their fan base. Led by Justin Gorriceta-Banusing, CEO, and Marcel Feldkamp, Chief Business Officer, the company leverages deep expertise in gaming and creator ecosystems. Gorriceta-Banusing’s background includes scaling AcadArena, a leading campus gaming platform in Southeast Asia and Latin America, while Feldkamp, a former pro League of Legends player, brings experience from founding the Prime gaming talent agency.

At the core of Clout Kitchen’s mission is Backseat AI, an in-game “buddy” designed for League of Legends players and co-created with Tyler “Tyler1” Steinkamp. Backseat AI offers real-time guidance on character selection and gameplay strategies, all via an AI-powered voice that mimics popular creators. Since June, Backseat AI has amassed a waitlist of over 45,000 users eager to access this AI-powered gaming assistant.

“Our thesis at Clout Kitchen is to build things that grow the pie and add value for fans, creators, and game developers alike,” said Justin Banusing, CEO of Clout Kitchen. “We grew up in this space, so it’s our way of giving back.”

Leveraging Investment to Scale and Innovate

The seed funding will allow Clout Kitchen to expand its team, establish a U.S. office, and further develop its technology for future creator-powered game companion applications. Investors, including Jamie Lin, Chairman of AppWorks, have shown confidence in the team’s potential to redefine gaming and creator interaction.

“As a gamer and a creator myself, I’m excited to support Justin and Team Clout Kitchen in their journey to unlock new frontiers for our community,” Lin commented. “Justin and the founding team showcased exceptional hearts, heads and hands from the moment we met them, the very traits we look for in founders.”

Subscribers can access Backseat AI for $4.99 monthly per creator “buddy,” with an expanding roster that includes figures like cosplayer Emiru and pro player Jankos. Each creator benefits directly from subscriptions, marking a unique revenue-sharing model that benefits both creators and fans.

Jack Soslow, Investment Partner at a16z, encapsulated the industry’s interest, stating, “At a16z, we believe in the transformative power of technology and games to reshape how we connect, create, and experience the world. Clout Kitchen embodies this vision wholly, and we are thrilled to support their journey as they pioneer new ways for fans to engage with the creators and games they love.”