With the booming creator economy, the rise of decentralized financing in the form of cryptocurrencies and the underlying blockchain tech that binds a complex ecosystem of digital ledgers, SugarBounce is capitalizing on emerging trends to position itself aggressively for the future.
As the internet approaches what has increasingly become known as Web 3.0 or Web3 for short — with data and content no longer centralized among a handful of Big Tech players but rather becoming democratized among the masses thanks to blockchain and token-based revenues — adult platforms and players are eyeing the horizon with interest.
All of the platforms we are building are tools that will help performers and models solve key issues like content ownership and discrimination at the hands of traditional financial institutions.
While such futuristic realities as the Metaverse may be some years away given the challenges of interoperability, digital transfer of assets via standardized protocols and the like, the foundational plumbing is quickly being built by both billion-dollar corporations and scrappy entrepreneurs. Models and performers of every stripe are also becoming more well-versed in such concepts and potential profit centers.
Against this backdrop, SugarBounce seeks to become a one-stop shop as it evolves into an ecosystem of six different platforms: camming site Sugar Streams, now in beta; subscription-based social media SugarPals; content-selling platform Sugar Reels; collectibles-driven marketplace Sugar Markets; crowdfunder Sugar Starter; and payments solution SugarPay.
To get a clear sense of SugarBounce’s blockchain ambitions and better grasp its grand plans for Web3, XBIZ sat down with CEO Navin Ray for this company profile.
XBIZ: What inspired the founding of SugarBounce, and what are the biggest milestones you've hit since inception?
RAY: I have been amazed how the adult industry has always been at the forefront of emerging new tech. So when I started my journey into the crypto world, I instantly knew it would be the perfect fit, because it solves a few key pain points that will take the industry to new levels. For the biggest milestones, I would say launching our own native cryptocurrency $TIP in November and launching Sugar Streams in beta with over 100 models.
XBIZ: Describe the unique technology powering SugarBounce and how you continually improve your systems.
RAY: Here at SugarBounce, we are entirely focused on Web 3.0, so everything is decentralized. We have an amazing tech team of blockchain developers, streaming and network engineers, and front and backend developers. Our first platform, Sugar Streams, is live now in beta and is powered by our proprietary WebRTC p2p streaming tech. Our streaming network will also have nodes where users coming onto the platform can choose to become nodes and contribute to the network by just logging in and getting paid to watch their favorite performer stream. Even the platforms that we will launch over the coming year are powered by proprietary tech. Data is the key. We depend heavily on data analysis and feedback from users and performers to continuously improve.
XBIZ: Talk about the team behind SugarBounce and their professional backgrounds.
RAY: We have a team of 10 people in-house and another 10 working on a contractual basis. Two of my developers, along with my head of business development, are from the industry. I have known them for a while and when I told them that I would be starting this project, they decided to join me on this journey. We also have blockchain developers, streaming engineers and UI/UX designers. Our head of talent, Sabien DeMonia, head of outreach, Devil Diana and head of model management, Miss Genny Rock are all current cam models. So you see, this is actually the perfect team with the right set of skills to ensure the success of SugarBounce.
XBIZ: Where do you foresee blockchain-based businesses evolving in the future?
RAY: Blockchain will go mainstream for sure. Just the idea of decentralization and Web3 really resonates with everyone. Not storing your data in centralized servers makes it very safe and secure. Banks and other big enterprises have already implemented blockchain payment processing for instantaneous transfers. Even in the cam industry, crypto payments have become really common with both users and models. But I think mass adoption is some time away. Nevertheless, businesses that have gotten in early and have already incorporated blockchain and crypto into their operations show massive growth.
XBIZ: How do you partner with talent to forge ambassadorships as well as elicit constructive feedback?
RAY: For performers, our very capable team consisting of Miss Genny Rock and Diana Devil reach out to them. For ambassadors and celebrities, my head of business development, Shaun, and our amazing publicist, Erika Icon of The Rub PR, approach them through their contacts to forge these partnerships. One of the reasons we launched in beta was to get feedback from models and users so we could improve our product. I also have an open-door policy so anyone can write to me anytime with feedback.
XBIZ: In a similar vein, what business deals and relationships have you formed with other brands?
RAY: Well, to start with, we have an excellent relationship with you. XBIZ has been really good to us and is an important partner to help spread the word. We have also partnered with Bit Hotel, StrikeX, Sinverse, Eroverse, Sentinel dVPN, Tixl and many more companies.
XBIZ: Discuss your marketing strategy for getting the word out about your products and services.
RAY: It depends on the data. We continuously monitor the data coming out from Sugar Streams and then tailor our strategy based on demographics, time of day and other factors to better target and increase our customer base. It’s also a combination of display advertising, celebrity events, influencers marketing and a referral program.
XBIZ: Give us the elevator pitch for why someone should get involved with SugarBounce, whether as a consumer, talent, or a business.
RAY: SugarBounce is an ecosystem of six different platforms, which will bring all kinds of online adult entertainment under one roof.
As a user, you don’t have to go anywhere else and can have all your fantasies fulfilled in a single place. Plus, you get the added benefit of actually being personally involved in the industry when Sugar Starter launches.
For talent, our project is all about empowerment. All of the platforms we are building are tools that will help performers and models solve key issues like content ownership and discrimination at the hands of traditional financial institutions.
XBIZ: How are you approaching the rollout and refinement of products that include Sugar Streams, Pals, Starter, Markets, and Pay?
RAY: We have an actual road map and will develop and release our products each quarter. It started in Q3 of 2021, and we hope to have it completed by Q2 this year. You can see this in our white paper at sugarbounce.com.
We’re already onboarding creators for SugarPals, our subscription-based platform for content creators and Sugar Reels, the firstever truly decentralized adult content-sharing platform allowing creators to reap 100% of the benefits of monetization of their creations. Both should be released soon.
Sugar Markets, our exchange for content creators and collectors to launch and trade NFTs, Sugar Starter, our crowdfunding platform for talent to get backing for their content, and SugarPay, that lets users pay for content anonymously with a payment processing engine powered by our currency $TIP, are all set to launch in Q2 of this year.
XBIZ: What is your grand plan for the coming year and beyond?
RAY: We are well underway with product development. But my major concentration will be marketing and customer acquisition once we get out of beta. The grand plan for the future would be to first make the top 10 cam sites by the end of the year and then crack the top five.
