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Whatnot Founders Built $20 Billion Live-Shopping Platform After Facing 100 Investor Rejections

Whatnot's cofounders persevered through significant early setbacks to build a live-shopping application now valued at $20 billion. According to CEO Grant LaFontaine, co-founder Logan Head spent four to five weeks in intensive development, coding 16 hours a day for six days a week to create the initial version of the platform.

The company's journey from struggling to secure investor backing to becoming a major player in the live-shopping space illustrates the challenges many startups face in their early stages. Despite facing 100 investor rejections, the founders' determination and technical execution ultimately proved successful, establishing Whatnot as a significant force in the emerging live-commerce market.

Sources: Fortune

Mountain Dew Launches Limited-Edition Baja Leo Zero Sugar with Spiced Flavors

Mountain Dew has introduced Baja Leo Zero Sugar, a new limited-edition beverage featuring a blend of spiced mango, chilli lime, and black pepper flavors. The exclusive drink will be available exclusively through TikTok Shop starting August 12, with availability continuing while supplies remain.

This release represents Mountain Dew's strategy to engage consumers through emerging social commerce platforms and limited-time offerings. By partnering with TikTok Shop for distribution, the brand targets a younger demographic and leverages the platform's growing influence in retail, while the time-limited nature of the release creates urgency and exclusivity around the product.

Sources: Livemint

Dangerous Travel Adaptors Found for Sale on Major Online Marketplaces

Safety testing by Electrical Safety First revealed that travel adaptors sold on major online marketplaces including Amazon, eBay, AliExpress, and TikTok Shop posed serious safety hazards to consumers. All 14 devices purchased from these platforms during the investigation failed basic safety tests, prompting warnings to UK consumers to verify their travel adapters before use.

The discovery highlights ongoing challenges with product safety oversight on third-party marketplace platforms where sellers from various sources list items with varying quality standards. Thousands of potentially dangerous adapters may have already been sold to travelers, raising questions about the effectiveness of safety screening mechanisms on these platforms and the need for stronger consumer protections.

Sources: Daily Record, LBC

Kixmon Launches Profit Tracking Tool for TikTok Shop Creators

Kixmon announced the launch of its TikTok Shop Creator Profit Tracker in August 2026, a solution designed to help TikTok Shop brands evaluate creator profitability. The tool combines data on sales, advertising costs, and other financial metrics to provide creators and brands with insights into the financial performance of their collaborations.

The development of specialized analytics tools reflects the growing maturity of the TikTok Shop ecosystem and the increasing sophistication of creator-brand partnerships. As more businesses invest in content-led commerce, tools that measure return on investment and profitability have become essential for optimizing marketing spend and creator selection strategies.

Sources: GlobeNewswire

Filipino Entrepreneurs Build Businesses Through E-Commerce Platforms

Filipino entrepreneurs are leveraging e-commerce platforms including TikTok Shop and Shopee to launch and grow their businesses, selling products ranging from contact lenses and specialty honey to baby clothes and electronics. Young business owners like 22-year-old Bridget Cortez are combining formal education with practical entrepreneurship, using these platforms to turn their business ideas into reality.

The growth of e-commerce platforms in Southeast Asia has created new opportunities for small business owners to reach customers without requiring significant upfront capital or physical retail infrastructure. These platforms have become essential tools for Filipino entrepreneurs seeking to scale their operations and establish themselves in competitive markets.

Sources: Rappler