Adult Network Zivity Spins Off New Mainstream Website

SAN FRANCISCO — Adult social network Zivity.com grabbed headlines when it secured millions of dollars in venture capital, but now the site's founders may be looking to ditch adult altogether.

Launched in 2007, Zivity.com uses social-networking tools to let models (adult and otherwise) share their images with a larger user base that votes on their attractiveness. Registered users must subscribe to the site to be able to vote, and about 40 percent of the site's revenue goes to the models.

The site's founders managed to draw about $8 million in support from two venture capital firms, Founders Fund and BlueRun Ventures, both of which had only supported mainstream projects before. Founders Fund was an early investor in social networking goliath Facebook.com. Both companies have invested in the photo-sharing network Slide.com.

But this week, the site's founders redirected the majority of its assets, money and staff into another website, a mainstream celebrity fan portal called TopFans.com.

The split breaks down like this: Zivity co-founder Cyan Banister will become the sole CEO of Zivity, with two employees and a share of the company's remaining $4 million. Jon Elvekrog, Zivity's former CEO, will become the CEO of TopFans, taking seven employees with him.

Despite the grim moves, Zivity remains active, with an Alexa rating of 92,960. The company originally projected a launch sometime in 2009, and the site is live and still accepting both trial and full membership signups.

Leading tech analyst Michael Arrington speculated that the split came from a rift among the senior staff.

"The founding team still believes strongly in the original vision," he said. "The newer execs and investors were pushing for the fan pages. The exodus of the founders was the likely outcome, but investors and senior employees worked to split the companies to pursue their separate destinies instead."

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

France Reinstates Age Verification Rule for EU Sites

France’s highest court, the Council of State, on Tuesday reinstated age verification rules for EU-based sites under the country’s Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law, ruling in favor of the French government and against Hammy Media.

Whisper Fans Joins Pineapple Support as Supporter-Level Sponsor

Whisper Fans has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

Utherverse Launches 'Red Light Center' Virtual World

Virtual reality and metaverse technology company Utherverse has launched its new virtual world, RedLightCenter.io.

European Commission Approves AV Guidelines, Unveils Prototype App

The European Commission on Monday released its final, approved guidelines for protecting minors online under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) and made public a “white label” age verification app intended to help sites and platforms comply with age verification rules under the DSA.

New Membership Site 'Sluts Corner' Launches

R18 Entertainment has launched a new membership site, SlutsCorner.com.

Roxie Rae Relaunches Site Through XSiteAbility

Roxie Rae has relaunched her site through XSiteAbility.

Federal Appeals Court Vacates FTC 'Click to Cancel' Rule Pending Review

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit on Tuesday vacated the Federal Trade Commission’s “click-to-cancel” rule aimed at making it easier for consumers to cancel online subscriptions, pending further review.

FSC Drops Florida AV Lawsuit in Wake of SCOTUS Decision

A U.S. district court judge granted on Tuesday a motion by Free Speech Coalition to dismiss the trade association’s lawsuit over Florida’s age verification law, a case that had been on hold pending the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the constitutionality of state AV laws.

Ukrainian President Responds to Porn Legalization Petition

President Volodymyr Zelensky responded Tuesday to an OnlyFans model’s petition to decriminalize pornography in Ukraine, stating that he would wait for the legislative process to play out “in accordance with established procedure.”

Show More