Link-in-bio tech Linktree the latest Australian unicorn after $ 152 million increase

Melbourne-based link-in-bio business Linktree has secured USD $ 110 (AUD $ 152 million) in funding from Index Ventures and Coatue, pushing its rating in Unicorn territory as it tries to scale the platform even further.

Publicly traded markets may be volatile with fears of retail investors injecting funds into startups, but 2022 already proves a stellar year for new unicorns from Australia with some joining the club, including Tritium (NASDAQ: DCFC), Employment Hero, Scalapay, Zelleran an Unchangeable.

The latest increase gives Linktree a valuation of USD $ 1.3 billion (AUD $ 1.78 billion), and follows a rapid five-year decline for the company, which counts 24 million users.

Linktree says the increase, which was also supported by Australian firm AirTree Ventures, will allow the company to focus on additional geographic expansion, recruitment, revenue streams and further value for its creators and brands through new tools and partnerships.

In particular, the company says it hopes to hire another 200 to 300 employees in Australia over the next year, and complete its new Melbourne HQ, which will support both hybrid and local creators.

Last year alone, Linktree said it had 1.2 billion unique visitors a month to the website, enabling users to create a streamlined online identity to display and commercialize their profile.

The company, co-founded by brothers Anthony and Alex Zaccaria and Nick Humphreys in 2016, counts the likes of Selena Gomez, Noah Beck, Bella Poarch, Red Bull, Shawn Mendes, the Los Angeles Clippers, Comedy Central, Dwayne ‘The Rock ‘Johnson, on HBO as a user.

“We are growing rapidly across the traditional ‘link-in-bio’ company, connecting users to their fragmented online presence and establishing our position as a new sub-sector of the tech industry,” said Linktree co-founder and CEO Alex Zaccaria.

“This funding will ensure that we continue to innovate and develop tools that enable people to grow, curate and monetize their digital universe, maintaining Linktree as a market leader.”

From 2020 to 2021, Linktree says its influencers, small businesses and music verticals have grown by more than 300 percent each on average – with growth the result of its strong reputation in space, according to Index Ventures partner Danny Rimer.

“Trust online is more challenging than ever with the massive growth of the creative economy and increased fragmentation of digital identity on platforms around the world,” Rimer said.

“Over the past year, Linktree has quickly emerged as a brand that creators trust in their audiences.”

First President appointed to lead international growth

As it enters its next phase of growth, Linktree has appointed its first president – Mike Olson – to focus on building partnerships, strategy, talent and culture across the global organization.

Olson has experience in the gaming and creative industries, having held positions at Twitch, Pandora, LinkedIn and Microsoft.

“I am honored to participate in this milestone moment at Linktree,” said Olson, who will be based in the United States.

“In recent years, the creative industry has grown rapidly and Linktree has led the way through innovations in discovery, engagement and monetization – there are so many commercial opportunities with an audience of this size.”