What BIGO Technology does

BIGO Technology PTE. LTD. is a Singapore-headquartered, AI-focused technology company founded in 2014 and operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of JOYY Inc. The company runs two flagship consumer social platforms — Bigo Live, a live streaming service for real-time broadcasting and viewer interaction, and Likee, a short-form video creation and sharing platform — distributed globally through iOS App Store, Google Play, and direct web access. Its underlying technical stack centers on proprietary video and audio streaming infrastructure, AI-based content curation and recommendation, automated content production, and programmatic advertising technology, with a stated operating footprint of 20 offices spanning Southeast Asia, East Asia, South Asia, North America, Europe, and MENA.

The company monetizes through three primary streams: (1) virtual gifts purchased by viewers during live streams, shared with creators; (2) subscription plans, where annual subscribers retain at 28% versus 12% for monthly subscribers; and (3) in-app programmatic advertising delivered through BIGO Ads, an AI-powered advertising platform that the company reports hosts over 500,000 ads on iOS and 1.27 million ads on Android, integrated with Pixalate for MRC-accredited invalid traffic detection. Customer segments include individual consumers seeking social interaction, content creators monetizing through virtual gifts, and advertisers reaching engaged audiences on BIGO's owned apps.

The go-to-market motion is product-led, leveraging app stores and self-serve platform access for consumer acquisition, supplemented by organic social presence on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. BIGO has also faced regulatory headwinds, notably Indonesia's enforcement of an under-16 social media ban affecting Bigo Live in early 2026, illustrating platform-policy risk in core emerging markets. No specific company-level revenue figure is disclosed in available sources.

Name

BIGO Technology

Legal name

BIGO TECHNOLOGY PTE. LTD.

Website

https://bigo.sg

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

BIGO Technology is a Singapore-based subsidiary of JOYY Inc. operating Bigo Live, Likee, and BIGO Ads — global consumer platforms for live streaming, short video, and AI-powered programmatic advertising across 20+ markets worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Live Streaming

NAICS

Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210)

SIC

Services-Advertising (7310)

akta.pro primary industry

Influencer/Creator Marketplaces & Brand Deal Platforms (MPACABAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Live Shopping & Commerce Streaming Platforms (MPACACAD)

Keywords

• Live streaming platform
• Short video app
• In-app advertising
• Virtual gifting monetization
• Social video network

Headquarters

HQ city

Singapore

HQ country

Singapore

HQ region

Asia

Offices20 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. In-App Advertising (BIGO Ads): BIGO Ads is an AI-powered programmatic advertising platform under JOYY Inc. that generates revenue through in-app advertising, serving ads across the BIGO ecosystem. The platform offers ad hosting services with over 500,000 ads on iOS and 1.27 million ads on Android, providing monetization for developers and revenue for BIGO.
2. Virtual Gifts & Live Streaming Revenue: Revenue generated from virtual gifts purchased by viewers during live streams on Bigo Live platform, with creators receiving a share of virtual gift revenue. This is a core monetization mechanism for the live streaming social platform.
3. Subscription Plans: Subscription models where users pay for premium features and content. Subscription models retain 28% of annual plan users after one year versus 12% for monthly plans, indicating stronger retention for longer subscription terms.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

BIGO Technology operates social video platforms including Bigo Live (real-time live streaming) and Likee (short-form video creation and sharing), serving individual consumers globally. The company also operates BIGO Ads, an AI-powered programmatic advertising platform that monetizes its app ecosystem through in-app advertising, and generates revenue via virtual gifts purchased during live streams and premium subscriptions.

Product overview

BIGO Technology operates a multi-platform portfolio centered on real-time video and short-form content. The flagship products include Bigo Live (a live streaming platform) and Likee (a short video platform), which together serve creators and audiences across global markets. The company also operates BIGO Ads, a programmatic advertising platform that monetizes its app ecosystem. The product portfolio is organized around video/audio technology, AI research and production capabilities, and solution offerings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BIGO Ads: AI-powered programmatic advertising platform under JOYY Inc. that provides in-app advertising solutions and invalid traffic detection through partnerships with companies like Pixalate.

Products and services

• Bigo Live Live streaming platform that enables real-time broadcasting and interactive engagement between streamers and viewers, monetized through virtual gifts and in-app purchases.
• Likee Short video creation and sharing platform that allows users to produce, edit, and distribute short-form video content.
• BIGO Ads AI-powered programmatic advertising platform under JOYY Inc. that enables in-app advertising with fraud detection and traffic quality verification through partnerships with ad monitoring providers such as Pixalate.

Quantifiable outcome

• 28% annual plan subscription retention vs 12% monthly plan retention
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• PixalatecoreTechnology or Integration · 30 January 2026BIGO Ads, an AI-powered programmatic advertising platform under JOYY Inc., announced an expanded partnership with Pixalate, a global leader in ad fraud traffic monitoring. The collaboration integrates Pixalate's MRC-accredited measurement capabilities and Invalid Traffic detection to address threats such as app bundle spoofing, automated scripts, and emulator activity. The partnership aims to deliver cleaner traffic, reduce media waste, improve ROI, and support sustainable monetization for developers in the mobile advertising ecosystem.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• TikTok (Bytedance): Global short-form video and live streaming platform. Directly comparable to BIGO on both Likee (short video) and Bigo Live (live streaming), with similar creator monetization mechanics including virtual gifting and creator funds.
• Kuaishou: Chinese short video and live streaming platform with the same dual short-video + live-streaming + virtual-gifting model as BIGO. Closely comparable in product structure, monetization, and creator economy dynamics.
• Twitch (Amazon): Live streaming platform with creator monetization through subscriptions, Bits (virtual currency), and ads. Closely comparable to Bigo Live in real-time broadcasting, creator monetization mechanics, and audience engagement model.
• Hello Group (MOMO): Chinese mobile social and live streaming platform with virtual gifting and subscription monetization. Directly comparable to Bigo Live on mobile-first social live streaming and virtual gift business model.
• Inke: Chinese mobile live streaming social platform with virtual gifting monetization. Closely comparable to Bigo Live in real-time streaming + virtual gift revenue model.
• Yalla Group: MENA-focused voice and casual gaming social platform with virtual gifting and subscription monetization. Comparable to Bigo Live in social + virtual gifting mechanics, particularly in BIGO's MENA markets (UAE, Saudi-adjacent).

Broad incumbents

• JOYY Inc. BIGO's publicly-listed parent company, which also operates YY Live — a live streaming platform with the same virtual gifting and creator monetization model as Bigo Live. Provides direct sister-product comparison and synergy context.
• YouTube Live (Google): YouTube's live streaming offering with Super Chat (virtual tipping), subscriptions, and creator monetization. Comparable in live streaming + virtual gifting to Bigo Live, though operating as part of YouTube's broader video ecosystem.
• Meta (Facebook/Instagram Live): Major social media operator with Facebook Live and Instagram Live features, plus Instagram Reels in short video. Comparable to BIGO's products in social live streaming and short-form video, with deep advertiser relationships and a much larger global user base.
• Snap Inc. Social platform with Spotlight short video, creator monetization, and AR-driven content discovery. Comparable to Likee on short-form video and to BIGO's AI-powered content curation capabilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BIGOLIVEapp
• Facebookfacebook.com/BIGOGlobal
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bigo-technology-pte.-ltd.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors3 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about BIGO Technology