Johannes Kares, CTO


We want to thank Quantstamp for conducting a thorough audit of our codebase. Regardless of how much expertise, dedication, and effort you devote to your programming work, a second pair of professional eyes is always advantageous.

This audit constituted one of the final necessary steps before we launched our Beta version. We have received our final audit report from [Quantstamp](https://quantstamp.com) (one of the leading security companies in the blockchain industry).

![Quantstamp](https://hyjrzzgpknhicizwpwna.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/we-have-been-hacked-it-was-painful-but-at-least-we-paid-for-it/Quantstamp.png)

This milestone brings us closer to realizing our vision of enabling artists to transform their YouTube videos into tradable and sharable assets and letting them share ownership with their fans. In this blog post, we will show you the inner workings of Talentir and explain why smart contract audits are essential for maintaining the security and integrity of our platform.

At Talentir, we offer two types of smart contracts. The first one enables fractional ownership of YouTube videos, implementing the ERC1155 standard. This means fans can own small parts of the video's rights.

![Buy](https://hyjrzzgpknhicizwpwna.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/we-have-been-hacked-it-was-painful-but-at-least-we-paid-for-it/Buy.png)

Additionally, we have developed a decentralized marketplace where these fractions can be bought and sold, providing a transparent and efficient platform for creators and fans to engage in an entirely novel way.

To safeguard our platform and protect the interests of our future users (You), we enlisted the services of Quantstamp, one of the best companies specializing in securing blockchain ecosystems. Together with their expertise in automated and manual auditing techniques, the amazing Quantstamp team thoroughly examined our smart contract code. Their auditors meticulously tested the code against various known vulnerabilities, documenting its behavior and identifying potential issues.

> Following the audit, we can confidently state that our platform's foundation – the smart contracts – have undergone a rigorous audit to ensure maximum security for all users.
>
> <cite>[Johannes Kares](https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannes-kares-75b2698b/), CTO Talentir</cite>

One significant advantage of an in-depth contract audit is the level of transparency it provides. Even if you don't fully understand all the underlying technology, it's vital to know that we're making every effort to guarantee the safety of your assets. Having our code audited by an independent entity like Quantstamp offers our users an impartial view of the security precautions we've implemented on our platform. Of course, full transparency might come with difficulties, but it fosters trust and confidence in everything we do.

During the four-week audit period, the auditors identified several issues within our smart contract code. As it is a new way to use these special contracts, looking for vulnerabilities was even more critical. This process allowed us to strengthen our platform's security, ensuring that everybody can safely engage with Talentir.

Completing our smart contract audit is a significant milestone for us and our vision.

While experiencing this test was undoubtedly a painful experience, we recognize the value of undergoing smart contract audits. We will soon start to open our platform to more fantastic artists and creators to join us on the way to unchaining the full potential of digital content.

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# This is the story of how a Swiss-Austrian startup unleashes the power of co-ownership.

Content creation is booming, and fans have become the lifeblood of the entertainment industry - This is the perfect birth environment for our venture, Talentir. Talentir is the first platform to turn YouTube videos into a shared success story.

> We strive to make it as easy as possible for musicians and creators to turn their content into tradable and sharable assets.
>
> <cite>[Johannes Kares](https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannes-kares-75b2698b/), CTO Talentir</cite>

By investing more than time in digital content, fans become more than mere spectators – they become stakeholders with a direct financial interest in the artist's achievements. This concept of co-ownership strengthens the bond between artists and their fans and empowers fans to contribute to the artist's economic growth.

> We spent a lot of effort to make the Talentir user experience as smooth as possible.
>
> <cite>Patrick Wibmer, Talentir's UX-Designer</cite>

Creators paste the YouTube URL into the Talentir platform, define the percentage of shares they are willing to offer, and share the news with their fans. Talentir does the heavy lifting in the background to let fans receive a portion of the ad revenue generated by their videos. This unique setup establishes a direct support line between fans and artists, forging a symbiotic relationship that benefits both parties.

[This](https://talentir.com/create) is the entry point to turn your YouTube Video into a sharable and tradable asset.

## But why would talents choose to sell parts of their revenue streams?

The relationship between artists and fans is rapidly transforming in today's interconnected digital world. With the rise of platforms like Talentir, established artists are discovering innovative ways to deepen fan engagement and, in the process, unlock a new promotional powerhouse.

Artists convert their followers into influential promoters by allowing fans to invest in their success. These fan investors are now vested in the artist's success and are naturally incentivized to share, stream, and promote their music. This type of organic promotion, rooted in genuine fandom and financial interest, has the potential to reach far beyond traditional advertising campaigns.

![Loudspeaker](https://hyjrzzgpknhicizwpwna.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/how-a-swiss-austrian-startup-unleashes-the-power-of-co-ownership/Loudspeaker.png)

Beyond promotion, this revenue-sharing model helps build a closely-knit community of dedicated fans. These aren't just passive listeners but active participants in the artist's journey. This tight-knit community can generate a level of loyalty and advocacy that no amount of marketing spend can buy.

Revenue sharing also creates a ripple effect that can significantly expand an artist's reach. As fan investors share and promote the artist's work within their networks, the artist gains access to a much broader audience. This can help established artists break into new demographics and geographies.

![Stats](https://hyjrzzgpknhicizwpwna.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/how-a-swiss-austrian-startup-unleashes-the-power-of-co-ownership/Stats.jpg)

Finally, this innovative approach can positively impact the artist's brand image. It demonstrates a commitment to fan engagement and a willingness to share success. This strengthens the relationship with existing fans and makes the artist more appealing to potential new fans.

As the industry continues to evolve, Talentir stands at the forefront, defining how we value and engage with the artists we admire.

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Director of Marketing


> What if you could be part of a movement that revolutionizes the music industry, democratizes content, and creates authentic connections between artists and fans?

This question came to my mind as I wanted to take a new step in my professional career, transitioning from the Head of Artist Marketing for Universal Music Austria to becoming the Marketing Director for Talentir.

After spending more than 11 years for the ORF Radio FM4 and 4 ½ years for Universal Music, I had established a fruitful career in the music industry. My last role involved shaping artists' careers and navigating the entertainment business's complex landscape. However, despite the fulfillment and accomplishments I experienced, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing — a desire to challenge the status quo, disrupt traditional models, and significantly impact the industry I loved.

![FM4](https://hyjrzzgpknhicizwpwna.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/fm4.png)

That's when I met the guys from Talentir. This young Austrian startup shares my vision of transforming people's thoughts about content, democratizing the music industry, and focusing on the artist-fan relationship. The more I learned about Talentir's mission, the more convinced I became that this had to be the next step in my career journey. I wanted to be part of an organization that had the potential to revolutionize an entire industry and create sustainable change.

Talentir is creating a new era of creative ownership and community-building. It empowers artists to take ownership of their work and share it with their fans as tradable assets. This innovative approach allows greater participation and democratization in an industry dominated by big players. By allowing fans to invest, collect, and trade digital content, Talentir is redefining how people engage with music and enabling artists to build loyal and supportive fan communities.

Throughout my career in the music industry, I witnessed the immense impact that a strong connection between artists and fans can have. However, traditional models often limit the potential for this connection to thrive. Talentir's platform offers a unique opportunity to bridge that gap, enabling artists to share their work directly with their fans and giving fans a chance to participate in an artist's success actively.

![Dashboard](https://hyjrzzgpknhicizwpwna.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/dashboard-david.png)

As a marketing executive, I am deeply passionate about entrepreneurial thinking and constantly seek challenges that align with my values and goals. Therefore, Talentir's mission resonated with me on a profound level. I want to change how people think about content, challenge established norms, and create a more inclusive and sustainable music industry. By joining Talentir, I am in a position to make a tangible impact and drive positive change.

> I am confident that Talentir will revolutionize how we monetize moving images, democratize access to music, and create a sustainable ecosystem that benefits artists and fans alike.

Moreover, Talentir's focus on creative ownership and community building aligns perfectly with my belief in the power of strong connections. As a natural connector and communicator, I firmly believe that fostering authentic and sustainable relationships is the foundation for success. Talentir's platform provides the tools and opportunities to build and nurture these connections, creating a vibrant ecosystem where artists and fans can thrive.

In addition to my alignment with Talentir's mission, I am equipped with the necessary skills and experience to contribute to its success. With 19 years of work experience, including ten years in leadership and management roles, I bring a wealth of marketing, project management, information technology, and web3 knowledge. Besides, my preference to drive innovation, embrace change, and navigate complex challenges will be helpful as we shape the future of the music industry together.

We can change how people think about content and forge a brighter future for the creative industry, where artists and fans are united in their passion for music, empowered by creative ownership, and connected in a community built on trust, authenticity, and mutual support.
The journey ahead is exciting, challenging, and full of opportunities, and I am more than ready to start this adventure.

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In an era where content creation and consumption are experiencing exponential growth, our vision to redefine the landscape of content monetization has steadily grown from an idea to a venture, bringing a new set of opportunities for creators, fans, and believers alike.

Coming from the music industry, our deepest wish to add new revenue streams to the artist's portfolio has also led to ready and easy-to-use software solutions to help reduce complexity in every conceivable way. We streamline the often-convoluted rights management process for labels, Artists, and Creators and distribute generated royalties to all parties involved automatically and at scale. This innovative approach allows creators to focus on their craft while their fans and investors actively participate in the success of their favorite content.

> Our technology is designed to work seamlessly with YouTube's Content ID system, ensuring that creators' intellectual property remains protected.

We take care of the complex rights management process, enabling creators to easily share, transfer, and trade their content while ensuring transparent and fair revenue distribution to all rights holders at any time.

In addition to the benefits for creators and fans, Talentir has the potential to add a whole new way for investors to approach digital content. We are proud to be the first to offer YouTube videos not only as a source of entertainment but an exciting opportunity for everybody to invest. **From now on, YouTube will be a new asset class, enabling our generation to capitalize on the success of famous videos creators and channels.**

As the lines between creators, fans, and investors continue to blur, we offer a glimpse into a future where content consumers are not just passive viewers but active participants in the success of their favorite creators – Time to change how digital content is seen, used, and traded.

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> It is the end of a day, and just falling asleep and being fit the next day is an option. You decide to open YouTube, and the next time you check your watch, three hours have passed…

We've all been there, falling down the rabbit hole of captivating videos and losing track of space-time. From unboxing lightsabers to exploring quantum physics in giant black holes in the vast emptiness of space, YouTube offers an endless array of content to entertain, educate, inspire, and extract our time. But what if we told you there's a way to go beyond passive consumption on this incredible platform…

In the past, our engagement with YouTube creators was limited to watching, liking, and subscribing. We admired their talent and creativity, but we were more or less spectators in thceir journey.

![Youtube Image](https://hyjrzzgpknhicizwpwna.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/youtube.jpg)

However (and thx to a dedicated team of engineers and lawyers at Talentir), times have changed: From now on, everybody can become active stakeholders in the success of their favorite creators - On YouTube.

YouTube videos generate tens of billions of dollars every year in ad revenue, and our technology and legal setup offer all the amazing creators, channels, and artists out there a solution that improves payouts and engagement on the one hand and reduces complexity in the rights management process.

The next time you find yourself immersed in the fascinating world of YouTube, remember that you have the choice to invest your time in the creators you admire, find content that has the power to generate momentum, and then go to bed or make the best out of your time spent in the rabbit hole and turn it into a path of shared growth and opportunity.

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In today's digital age, content creation has become a powerful tool for artists, musicians, and creators to express their talent and engage with audiences worldwide. However, monetizing this content and generating sustainable revenue streams can be a significant challenge. This is where we, Talentir, a startup based in Vienna and Zurich, aim to make a difference. Our vision is to transform YouTube videos into manageable assets, allowing creators to share the financial benefits of their content with fans and investors alike.

The concept behind Talentir is simple yet innovative. Once a video reaches a certain number of streams, it generates revenue. Through our platform, creators can trade the rights to their videos with a mouse click. This means that content creators can sell a portion or all of their future earnings to fans or investors. This groundbreaking approach opens up new possibilities for artists to capitalize on their work while allowing fans to actively participate in their favorite creators' success.

Recently, we secured a multimillion-dollar investment. [Bitpanda](https://www.bitpanda.com/de)-CEO [Eric Demuth](https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-demuth-9ba02943/) led the funding round, with notable participation from [Johannes Braith](https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannesbraith/), [Ferdinand Dietrich](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ferdinand-dietrich-284baaa1/), and [Christoph Sandraschitz](https://www.linkedin.com/in/christoph-sandraschitz-5b737510a/), the founders of [Storebox](https://www.yourstorebox.com). Other participants included venture capital firms [Hardlymountain Capital](https://www.hardlymountain.com) and Eru Ventures ([All About Apps](https://allaboutapps.at/en/) & [Dots and Lines](https://www.dotsandlines.io)), and [Masters of Dirt's](https://www.mastersofdirt.com) CEO [Georg Fechter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/georg-fechter-4592b8112/) also joined as a contributor.

> There are still so many areas out there that need disruption. The content monetization industry is one of them.
>
> <cite>Eric Demuth, Bitpanda-CEO</cite>

Our founders, [Lukas Sticksel-Steiner](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukas-sticksel-steiner-a250a7139/) and [Johannes Kares](https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannes-kares-75b2698b/), have developed a co-ownership model for YouTube videos. The idea originated during the COVID-19 pandemic when the team sought to create a new revenue stream for artists and musicians. [Sticksel-Steiner](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukas-sticksel-steiner-a250a7139/) explained, "Digital content is the gold of our generation, and we make it accessible to everyone." On talentir.com, content creators can offer a certain percentage of their content for financial participation by interested parties. We act as the facilitator, turning fans into co-owners and automatically distributing the ad revenue generated by the underlying videos to the shareholders.
This approach provides various opportunities for content creators. Established artists can cash out while emerging artists can utilize the received funds to finance new productions. On the other hand, fans have the chance to grow alongside their favorite creators, fostering a deeper connection and sense of shared success.

As Talentir approaches its product launch in the coming weeks, excitement is building. Content creators who have already produced and released their content can now sign up on talentir.com. The website launch will follow a top-down approach, allowing the company to identify and address issues in real-time, iterate quickly, and foster a content-like growth trajectory.
As Talentir continues to evolve and expand its services, the future looks promising for content creators seeking innovative ways to monetize their work and fans eager to support and grow with their favorite artists. Stay tuned for exciting developments as Talentir reshapes the content ownership and monetization landscape.

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Our Codebase Has Been Put to the Test

From Startup To Changing The Content Industry

Head of Marketing Universal Music joins Talentir

Talentir Pioneers YouTube Video Investments

The YouTube Rabbit Hole That Is Creating Value

The Million Dollar Pre-Seed Round