HUG

HUG (acquired by dotART) is a social marketplace for artists to sell digital and physical goods while connecting with other artists and art enthusiasts. Founded in 2022 by Randi Zuckerberg, the creator of Facebook Live and a Tony Award-winning Broadway producer, HUG aims to support artists in becoming successful creative entrepreneurs. The platform focuses on providing opportunities, education, and technology to increase accessibility to the arts.

HUG has a community of over 35,000 artists globally and has distributed more than $300,000 in artist grants and scholarships. The platform has helped artists participate in exhibitions and events worldwide. HUG operates from New York City and has received $5 million in seed funding.

The platform allows artists to showcase their work, gain visibility, and sell their art without monthly fees. It offers an artist profile feature, where creators can present their portfolios and engage with the community. Members can earn Hug Points by reviewing and voting for new artists. HUG also provides financial grants, open calls for exhibitions, and marketing support to artists.

HUG collaborates with organisations such as L’Oréal, Mastercard, and the United Nations. The company focuses on emerging technologies, including blockchain and cryptocurrency, and provides educational resources to help artists grow their businesses. It also offers discounts on .ART domain names and provides a free one-year subscription to ID.art PRO.

Co-founder Debbie Soon leads growth initiatives, while COO Alex Cavoulacos oversees operations and product development. The company has a team managing partnerships, curation, and creator support.

HUG positions itself as an inclusive platform for artists worldwide. It offers financial and networking opportunities, mentorship, and educational content. It continues to expand its community and resources to empower artists globally. More details are available at thehug.xyz.

HUG was founded in 2022 by Randi Zuckerberg, the creator of Facebook Live and a Tony Award-winning Broadway producer. She started the platform to support artists in becoming successful creative entrepreneurs. The aim was to provide a space where artists could sell both digital and physical works, connect with other creators, and access financial and educational resources.

The platform was launched as an inclusive social marketplace to help artists monetise their work without restrictions. It was designed to integrate emerging technologies such as blockchain and cryptocurrency, allowing artists to showcase and sell their work through an easy-to-use interface. HUG introduced artist profiles, enabling creators to display their portfolios and connect with potential buyers and collectors.

Shortly after its launch, HUG established itself as a growing platform, attracting a diverse community of artists. It expanded its offerings by introducing Hug Points, a system that encouraged users to engage with and support fellow creators through reviews and votes. The company also started offering open calls for artists to participate in international exhibitions and events.

HUG secured $5 million in seed funding, which allowed it to scale its operations and expand its reach. The funding helped in building partnerships with organisations such as L’Oréal, Mastercard, and the United Nations. It also supported the distribution of financial grants and scholarships, enabling artists to develop their careers. To date, HUG has provided over $300,000 in grants and placed thousands of artists in exhibitions worldwide.

Co-founder Debbie Soon joined to focus on growth initiatives, bringing her expertise in investment and business development. Alex Cavoulacos became the COO, managing operations and product development. The team expanded to include professionals handling partnerships, marketing, curation, and creator support.

HUG launched various educational initiatives to help artists understand emerging technologies and marketing strategies. It introduced mentorship programmes and guided courses covering different aspects of creative entrepreneurship. Over a thousand artists have received mentorship in areas such as blockchain, AI, and business strategies.

The company also developed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. It collaborated with dotART to provide free and discounted domain names for artists. It also launched ID.art PRO, giving artists additional tools to manage their digital presence.

HUG continued to grow its artist community, surpassing 35,000 members worldwide. It facilitated opportunities for artists to participate in physical and digital exhibitions, ensuring they had access to global audiences. The platform also encouraged artists to experiment with different mediums, including NFTs and on-chain art.

The company maintained a strong focus on financial support, offering grants and acquiring artworks from artists to help sustain their careers. The introduction of exclusive merchandising and gallery opportunities further expanded revenue options for creators.

Currently, HUG remains a growing social marketplace with a focus on technology, education, and financial support for artists. It continues to provide funding, mentorship, and visibility to artists globally. The platform’s latest efforts include expanding partnerships, refining its digital tools, and supporting a wider range of artists in their creative and entrepreneurial journeys. HUG operates from its headquarters in New York City and continues to develop new ways to empower the global creative community.

HUG’s mission is to support artists in becoming successful creative entrepreneurs by providing them with opportunities, education, and financial resources. The platform helps artists showcase and sell their work, connect with a global community, and access mentorship. HUG focuses on making the arts more accessible through technology, including blockchain and digital marketplaces. It provides financial grants, exhibition opportunities, and marketing tools to help artists grow. By partnering with organisations and offering educational programmes, HUG ensures that artists have the knowledge and support to succeed. The platform aims to build a fair and inclusive space where creators can earn and thrive.

HUG envisions a world where every artist has equal opportunities to grow and succeed. The platform aims to remove barriers in the creative industry by providing financial support, global exposure, and access to education. HUG seeks to integrate technology to help artists reach wider audiences and create sustainable careers. It strives to be a leading marketplace where artists can connect, collaborate, and showcase their work. By promoting a diverse and inclusive creative ecosystem, HUG aims to empower artists globally, ensuring they have the tools and resources needed to build successful careers and contribute to the future of the arts.

HUG has been acknowledged for supporting artists through financial grants, mentorship, and global exhibition opportunities. It has partnered with major organisations like L’Oréal, Mastercard, and the United Nations, further strengthening its credibility. HUG has helped over 35,000 artists worldwide and distributed over $300,000 in grants. Founder Randi Zuckerberg, known for her work in technology and the arts, has received multiple awards, including Tony Awards for Broadway productions.

HUG provides a range of products and services designed to support artists in showcasing their work, earning an income, and gaining visibility. The platform focuses on creating opportunities for digital and physical artists while integrating technology and education to help them grow professionally.

One of the main services offered by HUG is the Artist Profile, which allows creators to present their work, share their portfolio, and engage with a global audience. Artists can customise their profiles to display digital or physical artworks, photography, paintings, ceramics, and other creative pieces. The platform does not charge monthly fees, allowing artists to sell their work on their terms. The profile also connects artists with potential buyers, collectors, and curators who are interested in their work.

HUG offers a marketplace where artists can list and sell their creations. This includes digital artworks such as NFTs, on-chain assets, and traditional art forms like paintings and sculptures. The marketplace is designed to be inclusive, allowing emerging and established artists to reach wider audiences. It provides a transparent system where artists control their pricing and transactions. Buyers can explore artworks, discover new talents, and directly support artists.

To encourage engagement, HUG has introduced a review and reward system called Hug Points. Members can earn points by reviewing and voting for new artists. This feature helps artists receive feedback on their work while also building a strong community of supporters. The Hug Points system encourages participation and recognition within the platform.

HUG also provides financial support to artists through grants and scholarships. The platform has distributed over $300,000 in funding to support creative individuals. Artists can apply for monthly grants of $500 or participate in competitions and open calls that provide financial aid and exhibition opportunities. HUG also purchases artwork from selected creators, giving them direct financial support.

Educational programmes are another key service. HUG offers mentorship, workshops, and resources to help artists learn about emerging technologies, marketing, and entrepreneurship. Over a thousand creators have received mentorship in areas such as blockchain, AI, and business development. The platform provides free guides, marketing strategies, and live workshops to help artists improve their skills and navigate the digital art space.

To expand opportunities for artists, HUG collaborates with international galleries, organisations, and brands. Artists can apply for open calls to participate in global exhibitions and events. The platform has facilitated opportunities for artists to showcase their work in different parts of the world, including Bali, Belgium, and New York. HUG also works with merchandising partners to help artists sell their designs on products such as clothing, prints, and accessories.

In partnership with dotART, HUG provides free and discounted domain names for artists. Creators can claim a free standard .ART domain name or receive discounts on premium domain names. This service helps artists establish an online presence and promote their work more effectively.