Social media startup Zeen is shutting down after raising $9 million

Zeen, a social media startup known for its collage platform, has announced its closure, marking a significant setback in the competitive landscape of social media innovation. Co-founder Miri Buckland shared the news with Business Insider, stating, "If there was any other way to keep it going, we would've done that." The decision was driven by the realization that the platform could not achieve the necessary growth as a venture capital-backed entity. Originally founded in 2019 under the name Landing by Buckland and Ellie Buckingham, the startup managed to secure $9 million in funding from various investors, including Stellation Capital. The initial offering, a social media app reminiscent of early 2010s platforms like Polyvore and Pinterest, briefly attracted Gen-Z users before it was discontinued in September. Following this, the company rebranded as Zeen and shifted its focus from a traditional social media model to the creator economy. It introduced a new shoppable collage feature designed for creators to utilize across social media and Substack newsletters, allowing them to seamlessly incorporate affiliate marketing links. Buckland reflected on the evolution of their products, saying, "We've had products in many different iterations through Landing and through Zeen, and we hoped that this would be something that we could grow into a much bigger business." The challenges of establishing a sustainable social media platform are evident, as many startups in the sector struggle to maintain relevance and profitability. Investors have increasingly become wary of the category, particularly as other once-promising platforms, such as Poparazzi, have also faced shutdowns. Buckland concluded, "We made the decision that now was the time to shut it down. Fundraising or becoming profitable weren't viable pathways for us at this point. It's a sad decision, honestly."