Want to have a 15-minute conversation with Richard Sherman? Now you can — for a price.
A new Dallas-based startup called Starliink on Thursday launched its iOS app, which lets people talk to celebrities, athletes, and more for a fee.
Influencers on the platform at launch include Sherman, the Seattle Seahawks star cornerback; his teammate Cliff Avril; other NFL players like Vontae Davis and Johnny Hekker; NBA trainer and “stats geek” Justin Zormelo; YouTube personality HikeTheGamer; drummer and producer Rich Redmond; and celebrity chef Tre Wilcox.
Celebrities have control over the start and end times for each “session” and they decide how much to charge — anywhere from $50 to $10,000. Starliink takes a small service fee from each transaction and influencers can keep the money or donate it to charity.
Starliink co-founder and CEO Reed Duchscher started the company in March after spending several years as a talent manager.
“It always broke my heart seeing the disappointing looks on an individual’s face that had waited hours in long lines for a small chance to see their favorite influencers up close with no luck,” he told GeekWire. “When we created Starliink we wanted to provide the access that I am fortunate to have on a daily basis.”
The influencers are not paid for their participation, Duchscher said.
“They all agreed to utilize the platform,” he noted.
Starliink also plans to work with brands, allowing them to run promotions with their ambassadors through the app.
There are existing technologies that help bring together celebrities and fans, like Ifonly, for example. Duchscher said Starliink separates itself by “digitizing interactions and adding speed and instant access.”
“Starliink will eliminate troublesome logistics, and give influencers full control over their time,” he said.
The 9-person company is self-funded, but plans to raise money from investors in the coming months.
