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Tech startup for content recommendations From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Likewise, Inc., is an American technology startup company which provides a social networking service for finding and saving content recommendations for movies, TV shows, books, and podcasts.[1] A team of ex-Microsoft employees founded Likewise in October 2017 with financial investment from Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates.[2]
Company type | Startup Company |
---|---|
Industry | Entertainment Social Network |
Founded | 2017 |
Founder | Larry Cohen Ian Morris Michael Dix |
Headquarters | Bellevue, Washington |
Area served | United States Canada |
Number of employees | Approximately 35 (2020) |
Website | www.likewise.com |
The company is led by CEO Ian Morris and now has a team of about 35 employees.[3] Its headquarters operates in Bellevue, Washington.[4] As of July 2020, 1 million users have joined the platform.[5]
In 2017, former Microsoft Communications Chief Larry Cohen came up with the idea for Likewise in Bill Gates’ private office, Gates Ventures.[1] Cohen currently serves as Gates Ventures’ CEO and managing partner.[6]
Cohen collaborated with colleagues Michael Dix and Ian Morris to co-found what would become Likewise, with Morris as its CEO.[2] Gates funded the company's early development.[7]
The company developed its platform in stealth mode before launching publicly in October 2018.[2] Gates served as the “ultimate beta tester” during development, giving his input on the app's design, and remains an active user and advisor.[7]
Likewise officially released its platform in the US and Canada on October 3, 2018.[7]
Likewise experienced accelerated growth alongside the COVID-19 pandemic.[8] From March 2020 to July 2020, the platform's monthly active users tripled in numbers.[3] The company reached one million users in July 2020.[5]
Likewise is available as a mobile app for the Android and iOS mobile operating systems.[4][5] Users receive recommendations from the Likewise algorithm, people they follow, and the Likewise editorial team.[3][9]
In October 2019, the company launched its Apple TV app called Likewise TV. The television app organizes shows across streaming services under one watchlist.[10] On July 20, 2020, Likewise TV expanded to Android TV and Amazon Fire TV users.[3]
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