Adult Content Network Startup Zivity: Raised $1M

SAN FRANCISCO — Startup social network site for models, photographers and "fans of female pin-up photography" Zivity announced that it has raised $1 million from private investors in its first round of venture capital financing.

"We realize there is an unmet need for a community where members can enjoy sexy content without the mixed age crowd," said Cyan Banister, Zivity co-founder and chief strategy officer. "While MySpace is known for finding new musicians, Zivity is a place where models and photographers will be discovered."

Zivity plans to let its members distribute royalties to models and photographers through its patent-pending voting system. Members will determine what photos are published on the site by casting votes for models and photographers who submit content. Using this method, the members will distribute royalties, determining what compensation models and photographers will earn for their contributions.

"Zivity ensures that money ends up in the hands of those that deserve it," Banister said. "Not only do we fairly compensate our models and photographers, they share in ongoing royalties for popular photographs. And it will be members who are in control — they decide what content is published and who those royalties go to."

Zivity Chairman and Co-founder Scott Banister was a co-founder of IronPort Systems, an anti-spam company that was acquired earlier this year by Cisco for $830 million. Banister also helped develop the bid-for-placement model used by Google Adwords and was a co-inventor of PayPal. Zivity was founded in 2007 and is privately held.

The Zivity site is currently in private beta testing. For more information, visit Zivity.com.

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

25,000 Sign Petition to Legalize Pornography in Ukraine

An OnlyFans model’s petition to decriminalize pornography in Ukraine has amassed the 25,000 signatures required for official consideration by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

WannaCollab Joins Pineapple Support as Supporter-Level Sponsor

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

FSC Unpacks SCOTUS Age Verification Ruling in Webinar

The Free Speech Coalition conducted a public webinar Tuesday to help adult industry stakeholders understand the Supreme Court’s recent decision in FSC v. Paxton, and its potential implications.

UK Lawmaker Calls for Appointment of 'Porn Minister'

Baroness Gabrielle Bertin, the Conservative member of Parliament who recently convened a new anti-pornography task force, is calling for the appointment of a “minister for porn,” according to British news outlet The Guardian.

FSC Toasts Jeffrey Douglas for 30 Years of Service

n the very same evening when the adult industry was hit hard by the Supreme Court ruling supporting Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181, members of the Free Speech Coalition board, staff and supporters gathered to celebrate Jeffrey Douglas’ 30 years as board chair — a fitting reflection of his reputation as an eternal optimist.

TTS Opens UK Testing Location

Talent Testing Service (TTS) has opened a new U.K. location in Ware, Hertfordshire.

FSC: Age-Verification Laws Go Into Effect in South Dakota, Georgia, Wyoming on July 1

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published a statement regarding new age verification laws set to go into effect tomorrow in South Dakota, Georgia, and Wyoming.

FSC Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Texas AV Law

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has released a statement responding to last week's Supreme Court decision on FSC v. Paxton, the Texas age verification law.

Sex Work CEO Debuts Upgraded 'GPTease' AI Assistant

Sex Work CEO has introduced the new Canvas in-chat editing feature to its AI-powered, NSFW text generator, GPTease.

UPDATED: Supreme Court Rules Against Adult Industry in Pivotal Texas AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday issued its decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, striking a blow against the online adult industry by ruling in support of Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

Show More