Updated
Updated · Business Insider · Jul 30
Whatnot Seeks $20 Billion Funding Round as Live Sales Hit $8 Billion
Updated
Updated · Business Insider · Jul 30

Whatnot Seeks $20 Billion Funding Round as Live Sales Hit $8 Billion

2 articles · Updated · Business Insider · Jul 30

Summary

  • $20 billion is the valuation Whatnot is discussing in a new financing round, nearly doubling from the $11.5 billion level of its late-2025 raise.
  • $8 billion in live sales last year helped drive investor interest, with the Los Angeles startup taking a cut of transactions across fashion, sneakers, sports cards and vinyl in North America and Europe.
  • Consumer internet startups have struggled to win venture funding as AI absorbs capital, making Whatnot's talks a sign that investors still back fast-growing consumer platforms.
  • Livestream shopping remains far larger in Asia, but TikTok Shop and other social-commerce platforms have helped normalize the format in Western markets, giving Whatnot a tailwind.

Insights

As Whatnot integrates with Shopify and challenges TikTok, is the West finally ready to fully embrace the live shopping revolution?
With a $20 billion valuation defying the AI craze, could looming gambling lawsuits over live sports card breaks derail Whatnot’s explosive growth?
How did a simple Funko Pop livestream evolve into a $1 billion revenue giant that keeps users hooked for 95 minutes a day?