Patreon
Patreon is a media and community platform where creators give their biggest fans access to exclusive work and experiences.
The Story
Patreon is a membership platform that gives creators a sustainable way to earn recurring income from their biggest fans.
Founded by musician Jack Conte and developer Sam Yam, the company grew out of Conte's own frustration funding his art through one-off donations and ad revenue. Patreon lets creators offer exclusive content, early access, and community perks in exchange for monthly subscriptions, taking a commission of roughly 8-12 percent depending on the plan.
The platform has supported millions of creators across YouTube, podcasting, writing, visual art, and gaming, and it remains one of the most influential creator-economy businesses built in the last decade.
Key Facts & Metrics
Products & Services
Patreon Membership Platform
The core Patreon membership platform that lets creators run subscription services and offer exclusive content, early access, and community perks to fans.
Company Timeline
2013 — Founded Patreon
Jack Conte and Sam Yam founded Patreon in San Francisco as a membership platform that lets creators earn recurring income directly from their fans.
2014 — Rapid Creator Growth
Patreon crossed 10,000 creators and began expanding internationally, establishing itself as the leading fan-funding platform.
2018 — Creator Milestone
Patreon surpassed 100,000 creators and raised additional funding to build enhanced creator tools and community features.
