Spill, the Social Network Founded by Engineers Fired by Elon Musk Launched a Crowdfunding

What makes a social network go from being a simple alternative to becoming a digital refuge? In an ecosystem dominated by the decisions of billionaires like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, Spill emerges as a safe space for those looking for something different.

Created by former Twitter employees after the chaos of the Musk era, the platform has experienced exponential growth in recent months.

But is Spill just a passing fad, or is it building the future of social media?

Spill has experienced massive growth following the US presidential election. CEO Alphonzo Terrell says the app has seen a 10x increase in weekly signups and a 4x increase in returning users.

Spill, funded with $2 million from investors like Kapor Capital and Kerry Washington, aims to be a safe space for the Black community online, distancing itself from the toxicity of X (formerly Twitter). The platform has launched new features, like Groups and its first online store, to improve user retention.

The fall of X and the rise of new alternatives

Since Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter in 2022, the social network has been marked by controversial changes: mass layoffs, reduced content moderation, and new policies that have alienated both users and advertisers. Added to this is the growing perception that Twitter has become a hostile space, where misinformation and hate speech face fewer restrictions.

This situation has opened the door for platforms like Bluesky, Mastodon, and Spill to gain traction. While Bluesky embraces decentralization, Spill has found its niche in a more relatable, community-based approach, especially among African-American users who felt Twitter no longer offered a safe space.

Spill: a social network with its own identity

Spill isn’t just a “new Twitter.” Since its launch in 2023, it has prioritized the safety and culture of its users , differentiating itself with advanced moderation tools and a design designed for fluid conversation. Alphonzo Terrell and DeVaris Brown’s commitment has been clear: not only to attract those fleeing X, but to build a community that stays.

Among the functions that have driven its growth are:

Spill Groups, which allows the creation of sub-communities within the platform.
Spill Shop, an online store integrated into the social network.
Social games , like Spades, which has already been played more than 20,000 times.
This focus on user experience has allowed Spill to not only increase its registrations, but also quadruple its number of returning users.

The commitment to crowdfunding as a financing model

In a move unusual for social media, Spill has announced an equity crowdfunding round that will allow users to invest in the company. Starting March 10th, 2025, the company seeks to raise up to $1 million, not only as a source of capital but also as a strategy to strengthen the community’s sense of belonging.

This model, facilitated by platforms like WeFunder, has become increasingly popular since the passage of the JOBS Act in the US in 2012, which allows non-accredited investors to participate in funding rounds. Startups like Replit have already demonstrated that this approach can generate millions and boost company growth.

According to Terrell, this isn’t just a financial move, but a step toward a business model that breaks away from dependence on traditional investors. “If we’re building a social network for the community, it makes sense for the community to also own a piece of it,” he said.

Can Spill establish itself as the next big social network?

Despite its impressive growth, Spill remains small compared to giants like X or Meta. Its half a million downloads represent a fraction of the users who remain on traditional platforms . However, the context is in its favor: Musk and Zuckerberg’s recent decisions have pushed thousands of users to seek alternatives, and Spill has been able to capture that need.

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