Introduction

In an electrifying move set to shake up the social media landscape, Skylight, an innovative startup offering a fresh alternative to TikTok, is officially launching its mobile app to the public this Tuesday, following an impressive ten weeks of active development. With high-profile backing from billionaire Mark Cuban and other key investors, Skylight is one of several pioneering platforms built on the AT Protocol — the same robust technology that powers the burgeoning social network Bluesky.

Features and Technology

Spearheaded by the dynamic duo of Tori White (CEO) and Reed Hermeyer (CTO), Skylight is designed to provide an engaging short-form video experience that includes popular features like an in-app video editor, comment sections, likes, shares, and personalized user profiles. But what sets Skylight apart is its underlying technology; users will immediately gain access to the expansive Bluesky network, which boasts over 33.8 million subscribers. That means content creators on Skylight will have their videos viewed by audiences across Bluesky and various other ATProto-based applications, such as the visually driven app Flashes.

Funding and Vision

Funding for the project stems from a pre-seed round led by Mark Cuban, who has publicly expressed his vision for a TikTok alternative rooted in the AT Protocol. The endeavor has also seen investment from Leslie Feinzaig’s Graham & Walker Venture Fund, further bolstering Skylight’s potential for success.

Inspiration and Background

White, a former travel influencer turned self-taught software developer based in Seattle, and Hermeyer were inspired to create Skylight in light of potential TikTok bans in the U.S. With a mindset focused on community retention, White meticulously backed up her TikTok content, fearing the loss of her audience. Their exploration of the AT Protocol revealed an exciting opportunity, especially since they noted that Bluesky was thriving and avoiding the infamous "fail whale" scenario that plagued Twitter during its early days.

Marketing Strategy

Recognizing a critical window for launching a resilient social application, White and Hermeyer decided to utilize their influencer background as a marketing strategy. White began documenting Skylight's growth journey on TikTok, amassing nearly 50,000 followers on her profile @buildwithtori, many of whom later became initial testers for the app. "We started with distribution," White explained, emphasizing the importance of generating interest even before building the product.

Video Features and Future Plans

Skylight has made waves by supporting video uploads up to three minutes in length, a significant enhancement that allows for more creative expression. However, White envisions Skylight transcending mere imitation of TikTok; there are plans to implement features that allow users to customize their content feeds using innovative gestures beyond simple swiping and scrolling.

Upcoming Features

Upcoming features on the Skylight roadmap include support for sounds, collaborative duets, stitching capabilities, bookmarks, and curated playlists — all geared towards enhancing user engagement and creativity.

Conclusion

Currently in beta on the Google Play Store and publicly accessible via Apple’s App Store after completing initial testing, Skylight is poised to position itself as not just another TikTok clone, but a truly unique platform aiming to redefine short-form video sharing. As the social media race intensifies, all eyes will be on Skylight to see how it evolves and what new horizons it will explore! Stay tuned!