Keek

The word "Keek" comes from Scots and means a look, especially a quick one.{{cite web| title = Scots National Dictionary - Keek| url=http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/keek_v1_n1 | access-date = March 28, 2016}} Keek Inc. is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and has around 45 employees.{{cite web | last = Beer | first = Jeff | title = Toronto start-up Keek nets $5.5 million financing | url = http://www.canadianbusiness.com/blog/tech/50058--toronto-start-up-keek-nets-5-5-million-financing | access-date = September 14, 2012 | archive-date = February 18, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120218081522/http://www.canadianbusiness.com/blog/tech/50058--toronto-start-up-keek-nets-5-5-million-financing | url-status = dead }} Keek launched in early 2011 to "create a social network that was more authentic and personal. We are committed to delivering the fastest, most engaging social video experience," CEO Isaac Raichyk said in an interview.{{cite web | last = Khan | first = Humayun | title = With 2M New Users in the Last Month, Keek Adds $7M to Expand Video Platform | url = http://betakit.com/2012/09/18/with-2m-new-users-in-the-last-month-keek-adds-7m-to-expand-video-platform | access-date = September 18, 2012 | archive-date = September 20, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120920031831/http://betakit.com/2012/09/18/with-2m-new-users-in-the-last-month-keek-adds-7m-to-expand-video-platform | url-status = dead }}

Keek has been described as "the Twitter for video",{{cite news| last = Evans | first = Mark | title = Keek: Like Twitter, but video |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/starting-out/keek-like-twitter-but-video/article558382/ |work=The Globe and Mail | access-date = September 13, 2012}} "Instagram of video"{{cite web| last = Issac | first = Mike | title = Keek Raises $7 Million, Fueling the Social Mobile Video App Frenzy |url=http://allthingsd.com/20120918/keek-raises-7-million-fueling-the-social-mobile-video-app-frenzy/ | access-date = September 18, 2012}} and a "micro version of YouTube".{{cite web | last = Moreau | first = Elise | title = Mobile Video Sharing With Microvideos On Keek.com | url = http://webtrends.about.com/od/review1/fr/Mobile-Video-Sharing-Microvideos-Keek.htm | access-date = September 13, 2012 | archive-date = September 6, 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150906211830/http://webtrends.about.com/od/review1/fr/Mobile-Video-Sharing-Microvideos-Keek.htm | url-status = dead }} and is often compared to a combination of other major social media networks such as Facebook, YouTube, Tumblr and Twitter. "Keek is more like a combination of YouTube, Facebook and Twitter than its direct competitors."{{cite web| last = Humphrey | first = Michael | title = A Chat With CEO of Keek: A Micro-Video Site Betting On Youth, Full Engagement |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelhumphrey/2012/08/20/a-chat-with-ceo-of-keek-a-micro-video-site-betting-on-youth-full-engagement/ | work = Forbes|access-date = September 13, 2012}}

"What makes Keek different is that it focuses on short, personal video uploads. A 'keek' can only be 36 seconds long, and is usually uploaded directly from a webcam or smartphone camera. So unlike many of the professional vloggers floating around on YouTube, the content is less polished – but also far quicker and reactive. Think of it like Twitter or Tumblr, only this time focused solely on video."{{cite web| last = Summers | first = Nick | title = Social video platform Keek raises $7m, adds a whopping 2 million users in last 30 days | date = 18 September 2012 |url=https://thenextweb.com/insider/2012/09/18/social-video-platform-keek-raises-7m-latest-funding-round/ | access-date = September 18, 2012}}

Keek has been described as a "new wave in social media technology" in reaction to the growth it received in 2012.{{cite web| last = Sheets | first = Conner | title = What Is Keek? All About The Hot Social App For iPhone And Android | website = International Business Times | date = 5 December 2012 |url=http://www.ibtimes.com/what-keek-all-about-hot-social-app-iphone-android-922945 | access-date = January 8, 2013}}

In 2012 the Keek community started generating a large amount of original content posting 66,000 videos per day. With the launch of the Keek mobile apps for iOS and Android in March 2012, there was a significant increase in the community and creation of content. Keek added 2 Million users in October 2012 and served 250 million pageviews.

By January 2013 Keek was adding 200,000 users per day to its social network and users were generating 4 million videos per month.{{cite web| title = Social video platform Keek raises $18 million to release new features and on more platforms |date=17 January 2013 |url=https://thenextweb.com/apps/2013/01/17/social-video-platform-keek-raises-18-million-to-support-new-platforms-and-speed-up-the-release-of-new-features/ | access-date = June 19, 2013}}

In March 2013, Keek announced the launch of verified accounts. Individuals or businesses can qualify for account verification if they are at high risk of impersonation or if they have large audiences on Keek or other social networks.{{cite web| title = Keek App Adds Twitter-Style Verification Program To Mobile Social Video Network |date=15 March 2013 |url=http://www.itechpost.com/articles/6614/20130315/keek-app-adds-twitter-style-verification-program-mobile-social-video.htm | access-date = June 19, 2013}}

Also in March, Keek launched a BlackBerry version of their app allowing BlackBerry 10 users the ability to share videos on Keek, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Email or via SMS.{{cite web| title = Keek Social Video App Arrives on BlackBerry 10 |url=http://news.softpedia.com/news/Keek-Social-Video-App-Arrives-on-BlackBerry-10-334185.shtml | access-date = June 19, 2013}}

Between March 2013 and June 2013 Keek added 24 million users to bring its network to a total of 45 million registered users.{{cite web| title = Social Video Network Keek Passes 45M Users, Adding Over 24M Users Since Vine's Launch |date=6 June 2013 |url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/06/06/social-video-network-keek-passes-45m-users-adding-over-24m-users-since-vines-launch/ | access-date = June 6, 2013}}

On May 17, 2013 Keek added a new private messaging feature, allowing users to privately chat using video or text with up to 36 people at once.{{cite web| title = Keek-ing up with the Kardashians |url=http://business.financialpost.com/2013/06/06/keek-ing-up-with-the-kardashians/?__lsa=6470-07ea | access-date = June 19, 2013}}

Keek launched a developer portal with API access on June 14, 2013. The new API program will allow developers to access public keeks, search functionality, user profiles, Klusters and more.{{cite web| title = Keek offers API to third party developers |date=17 June 2013 |url=http://www.mobileworldlive.com/keek-offers-api-to-third-party-developers | access-date = June 19, 2013}}

Keek launched a Windows phone version of their app on June 27, 2013.{{cite web| title = Keek offers API to third party developersKeek launches on Windows Phone; makes it easier to record and share videos |date=27 June 2013 |url=http://www.wpcentral.com/keek-launches-windows-phone-makes-it-easier-record-and-share-videos | access-date = June 27, 2013}}

In August 2013 Keek reached a total of 58 million users growing at the rate of 250,000 new users a day. Keek has been the top video app in 18 countries globally.{{cite web| title = Video-based social network Keek hits 58M users, raising $100M to challenge Instagram, Vine |date=9 August 2013 |url=https://venturebeat.com/2013/08/09/video-based-social-network-keek-hits-58m-users-raising-100m-to-challenge-instagram-vine/ | access-date = September 9, 2013}}

However, by October 2013 Keek was struggling to raise more venture capital funding through investment firm Morgan Stanley and was forced to downsize its operation to half a dozen staff members.{{cite news| title = From darling to struggling: Keek grapples with cash crunch |website=The Globe and Mail |date=25 October 2013 |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/streetwise/from-darling-to-struggling-keek-grapples-with-cash-crunch/article15065425/ | access-date = October 25, 2013 |last1=Erman |first1=Boyd }}

By November 2013 a reverse takeover bid was announced by oil company Primary Petroleum. The reverse takeover would see Primary Petroleum sell off all of its oil holdings and change its name to Keek Inc, effectively merging the two companies, and bringing Keek to the public stock market.{{cite web| title = Primary Petroleum (V.PIE) to end oil ops, merge with social media play Keek |url=http://www.stockhouse.com/news/natural-resources/2013/11/19/primary-petroleum-(v-pie)-to-end-oil-ops,-merge-wi | access-date = July 7, 2013}} During this time co-founder and CEO Isaac Raichyk left Keek to found a new mobile dating platform called Clover.{{cite news| title = For Keek, Canada's Version of Vine and Snapchat, Success Proves More Elusive |newspaper=Wall Street Journal |date=21 November 2013 |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/canadarealtime/2013/11/21/for-keek-canadas-version-of-vine-and-snapchat-success-proves-more-elusive-2/ | access-date = November 21, 2013}}{{cite web| title = Isaac Raichyk |url=http://ca.linkedin.com/in/oddpot | access-date = July 7, 2013}}

As of June 2014 Keek was set to expand its offices into New York City, and had changed its upper management to include Jamie King as CPO, Lin Dai as CMO, and Alexandra Cameron as the new CEO.{{cite web| title = Keek Names Interactive Entertainment and Gaming Pioneer Jamie King as Chief Product Officer |url=http://financial.tmcnet.com/news/2014/06/12/7872699.htm | access-date = July 7, 2013}}

On October 31, 2016, Keek was rebranded as Peeks Video.

The current version of the Keek iOS app is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch running iOS 15.0 or later. The app is free to download in the App Store and can be found in the Social Networking category. The current app, version 4.4, has a rating of 3 out of 5 stars based on 15 user ratings. In total the Keek iOS app has received an overall rating of 4 stars out of 5 based on 14,644 user ratings. The app was last updated to version 4.4 on November 13, 2014.

The Keek Windows Phone app is compatible with Windows Phone 8 smartphones. The app is free to download from the Windows Phone Store, listed in the Social category. The app was released on June 27, 2013 with version 1.0.0.1. and currently has a rating of 4 1/2 out of 5 stars based on 1,391 reviews. The app is free to download and supports English and Arabic languages.{{cite web| title = Keek | url=http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store/app/keek/b8047030-7d89-493c-92d1-b766ebd9b975 | publisher= Windows Phone 8 | access-date = September 9, 2013}}

The Keek BlackBerry app is compatible with BlackBerry 10 smartphones such as the BlackBerry Z10. The app is free to download from the BlackBerry World store, listed in the Social Networking category. It is currently an Android port and not a native BlackBerry app. The app was released on March 1, 2013 with version 1.0. Currently, version 2.8.4 has a rating of 2 1/2 out of 5 stars. The app is free to download and is rated T for teen. The launch of the app for BlackBerry 10 devices marked the first time Keek was available for any BlackBerry device.

The Keek Android app is compatible with Android devices running Android 2.3 or newer and can be downloaded from the Google Play store. It is currently rated 4.0 out of 5 stars (based on 117,691 user ratings) and has between 5,000,000 - 10,000,000 installs. The app is free to download.

Funding was originally provided by family and friends of the founder and CEO Isaac Raichyk.

The first round of venture capital funding was led by three Canadian venture capital firms AlphaNorth Asset Management, Plazacorp Ventures and PowerOne Capital Markets Ltd. for $5.5 million (US) on October 5, 2011.{{cite web| last = Berkow | first = Jameson | title = Toronto's Keek scores $5.5M to become Twitter for video | url=http://business.financialpost.com/2011/10/05/torontos-keek-scores-5-5m-to-become-twitter-for-video/ | access-date = September 13, 2012}}{{cite press release| title = Keek Inc. Hits Fast Forward with $5.5 Million Financing |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/keek-inc-hits-fast-forward-with-55-million-financing-131131923.html | access-date = September 14, 2012}}

The second round of venture capital funding was led by Cranson Capital Securities with participation from Pinetree Capital Ltd. (TSX: {{TSX link|PNP}}) and Whitecap Venture Partners. This round of financing raised $7 million (US) bringing the total investment financing to more than $12 million (US) as of September 18, 2012.{{cite press release| title = Keek Raises $7 Million; Adds 2 Million Users In Last 30 Days |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/keek-raises-7-million-adds-2-million-users-in-last-30-days-170153256.html | access-date = September 18, 2012}}

The third round of venture capital funding was led by AGF Investments Inc., Pinetree Capital Ltd. (TSX: {{TSX link|PNP}}) and Plazacorp Ventures, with Cranson Capital also participating. This round of financing raised $18 Million dollars (US) on January 17, 2013 which brings the total investment financing to $30 million (US).{{cite press release| title = Keek Raises $18 Million; Registers 6 Million New Users In 30 Days |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/keek-raises-18-million-registers-6-million-new-users-in-30-days-187276451.html | access-date = January 17, 2013}}

In the fourth round of funding Keek hired Morgan Stanley to raise more venture capital, however, they were unable to do so and Keek was forced to downsize its operations.

An oil company, Primary Petroleum, set up a bid for a reverse take over of Keek which would bring Keek to the public stock market.

Keek launched on the Toronto Stock Exchange ({{TSXV|KEK}}) at 0.10 cents a share,{{cite web| title = Canada's Keek Goes Public on TSX-V, Gets New CEO and Monetization Plan |date=11 March 2014 |url=http://www.techvibes.com/blog/keek-goes-public-new-ceo-monetization-plan-2014-03-11 | access-date = July 7, 2014}} and as of July 2014 it was trading at 0.165 cents a share.{{cite web| title = Keek Inc. (KEK) |url=http://web.tmxmoney.com/quote.php?qm_symbol=KEK | access-date = July 7, 2014}}

Keek Inc. filed for a U.S. federal trademark on February 9, 2011 for the term "KEEK" and was designated the trademark serial number 85237909. The trademark was filed in the category "Computer & Software Products & Electrical & Scientific Products, Computer & Software Services & Scientific Services, Advertising, Business & Retail Services, Communications Services, Education and Entertainment Services". Keek Inc. received the registered trademark for "KEEK" on July 3, 2012.{{cite web| title = Keek Inc. on Trademarkia | url=http://www.trademarkia.com/keek-85237909.html | access-date = September 13, 2012}}

As of July, 2012, 85% of the Keek community were between the ages of 13 and 25, with 69% female engagement, and two-thirds of those users were active during that month.

• Instagram
• Mobli
• Snapchat
• Socialcam
• Tout
• Vine

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• {{Official website}}

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Category:2011 establishments in Ontario

Category:Android (operating system) software

Category:Companies based in Toronto

Category:Internet properties established in 2011

Category:IOS software

Category:Mobile social software

Category:Online mass media companies of Canada

Category:Defunct social networking services