Kick Surpasses 100 Million Users: Founder Reflects on Challenges and Future Plans
Kick Reaches Major Milestone in User Growth
On April 10, 2026, Kick, a rapidly growing livestreaming platform with close connections to the online casino Stake, announced it has exceeded 100 million users just three years after its launch. This achievement marks a significant milestone for the platform, which has quickly gained traction in the livestreaming space.
Founder Shares Honest Reflections on Progress
Co-founder Bijan Tehrani addressed the Kick community in an open letter, expressing pride in reaching the 100 million user mark. However, he emphasized that this milestone, while impressive, is more symbolic than a measure of true success. Tehrani highlighted that the platform is still striving to meet its full potential and has more work ahead.
He candidly acknowledged that Kick has remained in beta status, partly because the launch was expedited despite shortcomings such as fragile infrastructure, incomplete purchasing systems, and inconsistent streaming quality. Over the past three years, the team has devoted significant effort to resolving these foundational issues.
Tehrani revealed that the project has benefited from substantial financial support from Stake and that he, along with co-founder Eddie Craven, have invested nearly one billion dollars into Kick so far. He also pointed out that the mobile application remains an area needing major improvement. A full redevelopment of the app is in progress, with Tehrani personally overseeing the process to deliver a much better experience for users.
Transition in Creator Partnership Approach
Regarding creator partnerships, Tehrani shared insights into how Kick’s strategy has evolved. Initially, the platform made headlines with large contracts awarded to top streamers, including a notable two-year deal signed in mid-2023 that was reportedly valued at up to $100 million. While such agreements sped up growth in the short term, they proved financially unsustainable over time.
Today, Kick has shifted focus toward reinforcing the economics behind its Kick Partner Program. The company aims to reward creators who cultivate genuine, engaged communities rather than relying on massive upfront deals. Despite rumors in recent months suggesting cuts to creator payouts, the leadership has clarified their commitment to supporting their partners.
New Features to Promote Authentic Engagement
Looking ahead, Kick is rolling out a recommendation system to about 10% of its users. This feature is designed to spotlight authentic streamers based on meaningful engagement rather than inflated numbers or biased algorithms. According to Tehrani, this initiative is part of Kick’s broader goal to become the premier platform for long-form streaming centered on authentic connections and discovery.
