London-based online learning start-up Yodomo to tap into growing creative upskilling market

Jun. 07, 2017

Yodomo, a curated marketplace for aspirational lifestyle tutorials, is set to launch later this year and has secured early investment from AllofUs Ventures. The early stage investment arm of digital service design and innovation consultancy AllofUs, will bring its best in class service design experience to the new joint venture.

Yodomo’s aim is to help creative people teaching a range of lifestyle activities to make sleek, professional quality online tutorials and then provide a platform where they can earn income from them.

Yodomo’s production tools will initially include simple storyboarding and shooting; trim and edit as you go; single touch light and colour adjustment; and the ability to add voiceovers and text overlays.

Currently, the expanding maker community – along with those with cookery, gardening and other lifestyle skills – rely heavily on distributing their ‘how to’ content for free on social platforms. Yodomo will work closely with content producers to maximise their learners’ experience both on Yodomo and also via third-party platforms. 

Sophie Rochester, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Yodomo, said:

“As a weekend learner maker myself, I was surprised at the inconsistent quality of video content out there and it became clear that with the right content and available technology, makers have significant commercial potential. Over half of UK consumers (53%) have used the internet to develop three new skills, and latest estimates suggest the global e-learning market will be worth $325 billion by 2025.”

 

At launch, Yodomo will initially focus on the crafts and designer maker movement and cookery. Once up and running, Yodomo plans to expand into other lifestyle areas including wellbeing, gardening, dance and music.

With the financial and product development input of AllofUs Ventures, Yodomo is now working to refine, shape and build the Yodomo platform and product ahead of its launch scheduled for later this year. It has also entered a partnership with Goldsmiths Digital Studios giving Yodomo access to expertise from the university’s computer science and creative technology alumni. 

The next step was Yodomo’s first promo video, which launched on Thursday 25 May.

Rochester adds:

“We are delighted to have the support of AllofUs Ventures as we move towards the next stage of our development, and look forward to seeing our first tutorial up and running in the next couple of months. We’re also excited to see our partnership with Goldsmiths Digital Studios supporting us in these next development phases. By providing a curated platform for a cross-section of the most inspiring tutors – from emerging creatives to professionals and even masters, Yodomo’s vision is to select and showcase the best with an emphasis on on quality over quantity, and creating revenue streams for tutors and other content partners.”

 

Phil Gerrard, Co-Founder of AllofUs, says:

“It’s great that this first venture for AllofUs is so in line with our own passions. Many of the AllofUs staff are learning new creative skills in their spare time already, and its’ important that AllofVentures supports businesses we really believe in.”