Kutt
About this raise
Kutt, with a valuation of $9.5 million, is raising funds on Republic. It is a peer-to-peer social betting app that allows users to bet on anything with a verifiable outcome. Kutt offers a variety of social features that make betting fun and engaging and allows bettors to connect with communities of people with shared interests and gain benefits from network effects. The platform has more than 14,000 users and is on pace to bring in over $500,000 in revenue for 2024. Simeon Harmon founded Kutt in January 2019. The current crowdfunding campaign has a minimum target of $50,000 and a maximum target of $1 million. The campaign proceeds will be used for technology and product development, sales and marketing, and data/service providers.
Investment Overview
Invested $104,558 :
Deal Terms
Company & Team
Company
- Year Founded
- 2019
- Industry
- Media, Entertainment & Publishing
- Tech Sector
- Distribution Model
- B2C
- Margin
- Low
- Capital Intensity
- Low
Financials
- Revenue +36,995% YoY
-
$187,329
as of FY2023
- Monthly Burn
-
$14,082
as of Nov '24
-
Runway
-
5 months
as of Nov '24
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Synopsis
Kutt is a peer-to-peer social betting platform that enables users to bet directly against each other on any event with a verifiable outcome. The platform operates within the media, entertainment, and publishing industry, aiming to create a social network for bettors. Kutt's primary customers are individuals interested in sports betting and those who enjoy wagering on a variety of events. These users benefit from the platform's community features, which include user profiles, chats, fan groups, and betting leaderboards.
The problem Kutt addresses is the lack of a streamlined and engaging platform for individuals to bet against one another directly. Traditional betting platforms often involve intermediaries and can lack the social interaction that many bettors seek. Additionally, there can be concerns about the reliability and security of payments in informal betting arrangements.
Kutt offers a solution through its app, which allows users to place bets with pre-funded accounts, ensuring secure transactions. The app's social features enhance user engagement by allowing bettors to connect with others who share similar interests, creating a more interactive and enjoyable experience. This approach also mitigates the risk of non-payment, as all bets are pre-funded.
In everyday scenarios, individuals who enjoy placing bets with friends or within their social circles often face challenges such as tracking bets, ensuring payments, and finding others interested in similar wagers. Kutt addresses these issues by providing a platform where users can easily find betting opportunities, manage their bets, and engage with a community of like-minded individuals. This makes the betting process more convenient and secure, aligning with the common desire for a reliable and social betting experience.
Price
Kutt is raising capital through a Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) with a valuation cap of $9.5 million and a 0% discount. This structure allows investors to convert their investment into equity at a future date, typically during the next priced equity round, at a valuation not exceeding the cap.
For investors seeking substantial returns, particularly a 10X return, Kutt would need to achieve a post-exit valuation significantly higher than the current cap. This would require the company to grow its revenue and market presence substantially. Given the current revenue of $187k and a revenue multiple of 50.7x, the company is considered overvalued. This high multiple suggests that the deal may not offer favorable terms for investors seeking high-growth potential relative to the valuation.
To reach a 10X return, Kutt would need to enhance its user base, increase revenue streams, and expand its market share within the U.S. sports betting industry. This would involve scaling its operations, optimizing its platform, and capturing a significant portion of the addressable market, which is estimated at $16.8 billion. Achieving these milestones would be crucial for providing substantial returns to investors.
Market
The U.S. sports betting market, where Kutt operates, is valued at approximately $16.8 billion and is projected to grow at an annual rate of 10.5%. This growth is driven by increasing legalization and acceptance of sports betting across various states, as well as the integration of technology that enhances user experience and accessibility. These factors present significant opportunities for Kutt to expand its user base and increase market share.
Key trends impacting this market include the rising popularity of mobile betting applications and the proliferation of online platforms that facilitate peer-to-peer interactions. These trends align with Kutt's platform, which emphasizes social betting and user engagement. As more users seek personalized and interactive betting experiences, Kutt is well-positioned to capture this demand.
However, the market is competitive, with numerous companies vying for users. This competition necessitates continuous innovation and differentiation to attract and retain a loyal user base. Kutt's focus on offering a social network-like environment for bettors can appeal to a niche segment that values community interaction alongside betting.
While Kutt's platform can target a broad segment of the market, its unique proposition of combining social features with betting may particularly resonate with younger demographics who favor digital and community-driven experiences. This targeted approach could enable Kutt to carve out a distinct position within the broader market, leveraging both growth trends and niche appeal.
Team
Sim Harmon (Founder / CEO) previously worked as a Business Development Representative at SumZero for 5 years, an online community for professional investors, including analysts and portfolio managers. He also served as an Associate at UBS Wealth Management for 4 years.
He is joined by James Tice (CTO), who previously served as CTO of Pixelstix for over 6 years, an tech-enabled art startup. He also served as a software engineer for FireMon.
The current team size and expertise may indicate a need for additional skills, particularly in areas such as marketing, business development, and operations. Expanding the team to include individuals with experience in scaling digital platforms and managing large user communities could be crucial for reaching future milestones and sustaining growth. Addressing these potential gaps will be important for Kutt to effectively compete in the dynamic sports betting market.
Differentiation
Kutt operates at the intersection of betting apps, social networks, and P2P payment systems, offering users the ability to wager directly against each other on a wide variety of events, including sports, politics, and pop culture. Unlike traditional sportsbooks that rely on fixed odds and high vigs, Kutt allows users to set their own odds and bet on almost anything with minimal fees, creating a more flexible and user-driven experience. Its social features, such as user profiles, group chats, and leaderboards, enhance community engagement and differentiate it from competitors like Rebet, Fliff, and Matchbook. While Rebet also offers P2P betting options, it operates on a sweepstakes model and lacks the real-money wagering flexibility of Kutt. Similarly, platforms like Fliff focus on free-to-play models with virtual tokens rather than real-money bets. Kutt's significant advantages include fairer odds, customizable betting markets, and the ability to operate in 40 states—including betting-restricted areas like California and Texas—due to its classification as facilitating a "game of skill" rather than chance. However, it faces competition from established players like Matchbook and potential regulatory challenges as the legal landscape for online betting evolves. Its innovative approach positions it uniquely in the market but also leaves it vulnerable to replication by larger companies with greater resources.
Performance
Kutt has demonstrated a year-over-year revenue growth from $505 to $187k, indicating a significant increase in its financial performance. This growth reflects the company's ability to scale its user base and enhance its revenue-generating capabilities. However, the current revenue level remains relatively modest, suggesting the need for continued expansion to achieve profitability.
Financially, Kutt's most recent cash on hand is approximately $70k, with a monthly burn rate of $14k. This indicates a limited runway, emphasizing the importance of securing additional funding to sustain operations and support future growth initiatives. Efficient cash management will be crucial as the company navigates its growth trajectory.
The company reported a net income of -$376k for the most recent fiscal year, compared to -$188k in the prior year. This increase in net loss highlights the ongoing investment in growth and development, which is typical for early-stage companies. While the revenue growth is promising, Kutt will need to carefully manage expenses and continue expanding its user base to move towards profitability.
Risk
Investing in Kutt involves several specific risks that investors should consider. One key risk is the competitive landscape of the peer-to-peer betting industry. Kutt operates in a moderately competitive market with established players, making it challenging to capture significant market share. This competition necessitates substantial investment in marketing and user acquisition to differentiate the platform and attract users.
The company's financial runway is another critical risk. With cash equivalents of approximately $70k and a monthly burn rate of $14k, Kutt has a limited runway, potentially requiring additional funding to sustain operations. This need for subsequent funding rounds could lead to dilution and potentially unfavorable terms for early investors. Additionally, Kutt's high revenue multiple of 50.7x suggests the company is overvalued at its current stage.
Bullish Outlook
Kutt's bullish outlook is supported by the significant opportunities within the U.S. sports betting market, valued at $16.8 billion and growing at 10.5% annually. The increasing legalization of sports betting across states opens up a vast market for Kutt's peer-to-peer platform, providing a strong foundation for user acquisition and revenue growth.
The company's unique strength lies in its integration of social features into the betting experience. By creating a community-driven platform with user profiles, chats, and leaderboards, Kutt differentiates itself from more transactional competitors. This focus on social interaction appeals to younger, tech-savvy users who value community engagement, offering a competitive advantage in attracting this demographic.
Emerging trends in digital and mobile betting provide growth drivers for Kutt, as the company leverages these technologies to enhance user experience and accessibility. The platform's ability to facilitate peer-to-peer interactions aligns well with the shift towards more personalized and interactive digital experiences.
While Kutt currently faces financial constraints, its recent revenue growth from $505 to $187k demonstrates a positive trajectory. This growth suggests that the company is effectively scaling its user base and optimizing its revenue model. Continued expansion plans and efforts to secure additional funding could further strengthen its financial position.
Bearish Outlook
With a limited cash runway and a monthly burn rate of $14k, Kutt may struggle to sustain operations without securing additional funding. The high revenue multiple of 50.7x suggests overvaluation, which could deter investors seeking favorable terms relative to industry benchmarks.
Regulatory hurdles present another obstacle, as sports betting is subject to varied legal restrictions across different states. Navigating these complexities could slow market expansion and limit customer acquisition.
Additionally, Kutt's team, led by Sim Harmon, may face challenges due to limited high-level managerial experience. This could impact the company's ability to effectively scale operations and implement strategic initiatives necessary for growth.
Overall, Kutt's bearish outlook is influenced by competitive pressures, financial constraints, and operational challenges, which collectively pose significant risks to its growth and market positioning.
Executive Summary
Kutt operates as a peer-to-peer social betting platform, targeting individuals interested in sports betting and wagering on various events. The platform's core customers are those who seek an interactive and community-driven betting experience.
The company is raising funds through a SAFE with a $9.5 million valuation cap. Its recent financial performance shows a notable increase in revenue to $187k, but it operates with a limited cash runway and a monthly burn rate of $14k. The high revenue multiple of 50.7x suggests overvaluation, posing a challenge for investors seeking favorable entry terms.
The U.S. sports betting market is valued at $16.8 billion, growing at 10.5% annually. Kutt's focus on social engagement differentiates it from competitors like Betfair and FanDuel. This approach appeals to a younger, tech-savvy demographic seeking community interaction alongside betting.
CEO Sim Harmon leads the team with relevant industry experience, aligning with Kutt's goals of expanding its user base. However, the team may need additional expertise in marketing and operations to fully realize its growth potential. Risks include a competitive market environment and limited financial runway.
The bullish outlook highlights the market's growth potential and Kutt's unique social betting proposition, which could attract a distinct user segment. Conversely, the bearish perspective points to the competitive landscape, financial constraints, and potential overvaluation as significant challenges.
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Company Funding & Growth
Funding history
- Total Prior Capital Raised
- $1,450,000
- VC Backed?
- Yes
Close Date | Platform | Valuation | Total Raised | Security Type | Status | Reg Type |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
03/09/2025 | Republic | $9,500,000 | $104,558 | SAFE | Funded | RegCF |