9GAG is a Hong Kong -based online platform and social media website, which allows its users to upload and share "user-generated content" or other content from external social media websites. Since the platform for collections of Internet memes was launched on July 1, 2008, it has grown in popularity across the social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.In November 2017, it had 223.35 million visitors: 11.03% from Germany, 5.55% from the United States, 4.40% from France, 4.19% from Brazil and 3.99% from United Kingdom.
History
The website was co-founded in 2009–2010 by a group of 5 Hong Kong people : University of Hong Kong student Ray Chan, his brother Chris Chan, Derek Chan, Marco Fung and Brian Yu, with the intention of creating an alternative online platform to email on which users could easily share humorous photos or videos. In a 2012 interview, its CEO Ray Chan declined to explain the origins of the name "9GAG".Starting the company under a "Just for Fun " mentality, 9GAG's co-founders began using 9GAG as a résumé -builder for the 500 Startups accelerator program. During the summer program, the 9GAG team worked on other startup ideas, including StartupQuote and Songboard.
Following the 500 Startups accelerator program, 9GAG participated in Y Combinator's incubator and its user-base increased to 70 million global unique visitors per month. The 9GAG co-founding team discontinued all other projects and shifted their focus exclusively on 9GAG. 500 Startups was given equity for their aid and mentorship.
In July 2012, 9GAG raised an additional US$2.8 million in funding from Silicon Valley -based venture capital, including True Ventures and Greycroft Partners. In August 2012, 9GAG received another US$2.8 million in funding from Silicon Valley venture capitalists, including True Ventures and Greycroft Partners, as well as individual investors like Christopher Sacca, Kevin Rose, and Naval Ravikant. This funding was able to support 9GAG's engineering team growth both in Hong Kong and in Silicon Valley.
