App startup Simplicity is attracting support from the hip-hop world. Back in July, veteran hip-hop artist D-Nice invested in the company. Now music mogul Russell Simmons, the co-founder of Def Jam Records, has come aboard as another investor.
What is Simplicity
What makes Simplicity unique is the concept. According to the website, the goal of the app is to “become the world’s app for cities, communities, and residents.” That app feeds local information directly to its users from city agencies. A city’s management, police, schools, nonprofits, religious groups, and other city communities get direct access to deliver information on the app. So in essence, when an app user travels they can find out everything for local events to crime stats to road closures and emergency alerts in one place.
The app has more than 120 cities and communities, including San Francisco Bay Area, Chicago Metropolitan Area, and South Florida. Already a success in Europe, the company raised over $8.5 million in seed funding for the U.S. expansion, according to the website.
The Palo Alto, California-based company raised over $10 million in seed funding soon after its 2019 launch. It also has offices in Bratislava, Slovakia.
As Finurah previously reported, D-Nice, who is also a Simplicity ambassador, said of the company, “Simplicity is another example of leveraging technology to lift the spirits and deepen the relationships among people in cities around the world. The alignment was too obvious not to be part of the movement.”
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“I’m excited to be part of a company that is making such a positive impact on the way cities and community members interact,” Simmons said in a press statement. “This is an important service that can really make a difference in people’s lives.”
With a net worth estimated at $410 million, Simmons’ media company, Rush Communications, operates successful ventures such as the Hip Hop Summit Action Network, Def Jam Interactive (video game studio), RushCard (debit card service), and Simmons Jewelry Co., to name a few.
“Russell Simmons is a true visionary and has built an astonishing career by being able to recognize real talents, trends, and business-worthy ideas way ahead of their time,” said Simplicity’s CXO and former CTO of New York City Miguel Gamiño, Jr. “Having him join us and support Simplicity’s vision is a huge endorsement for the company.”
Simmons will also be on the company’s advisory board.
