CliqRex

One of the biggest problems in entertainment today isn’t a lack of content — it’s too much content.

Between Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, podcasts, books, and dozens of streaming apps, consumers are overwhelmed with choices. That’s the problem CliqRex is trying to solve.

This startup has built an AI-powered recommendation platform designed to help users discover movies, TV shows, podcasts, books, and more.

At its core, CliqRex is trying to become a personalized entertainment “hub.” Instead of endlessly scrolling through streaming apps looking for something worthwhile, users can open CliqRex and receive recommendations tailored to their tastes.

The company’s system blends AI with social recommendations from trusted friends and family members. In other words, it’s attempting to combine the convenience of algorithms with the trust people place in recommendations from people they actually know.

The app allows users to discover, organize, save, rate, and share content across multiple media categories. Users can build folders, create watchlists, follow recommendations from friends, and even use an AI assistant called “Rexy” to surface personalized suggestions.

The platform currently focuses on TV shows, movies, podcasts, books, and YouTube content, though management says it eventually plans to expand into additional categories like music and gaming.

CliqRex believes the entertainment-discovery process has become frustratingly fragmented. Consumers bounce between streaming services, social media apps, group texts, and search engines just to figure out what to watch or listen to next.

The company points to data from Horowitz Research showing that many viewers feel overwhelmed by the growing number of streaming services and struggle to decide what to watch.

The company also uses gamification features to encourage engagement. Users can earn “Karma” points for activities like rating content, commenting, sharing recommendations, and inviting friends to join the platform. Management believes these features could improve retention and create viral growth as users invite others into their entertainment circles.

As for how CliqRex plans to make money, management is pursuing several potential revenue streams. These include targeted advertising, sponsored recommendations, affiliate partnerships, premium subscriptions, and data analytics services.

For example, streaming services or publishers could potentially pay to promote content inside the app, while premium subscribers might pay for enhanced features or an ad-free experience.

CliqRex has already launched apps on both Apple’s App Store and Google Play. The app currently holds strong user ratings, including a 4.7-star rating on Apple’s App Store and a 5-star rating on Google Play.

Team Background

James O'Loughlin - Chief Executive Officer

In addition to his role with CliqRex, James is CEO of Pixaura, a marketing-services company. He’s also an instructor at the Art Academy of Cincinnati.

Previously, he spent eight years in web design and digital strategy with California Skateparks, a design company. Before that, he was Vice President of primaxSTUDIO, an advertising business, for twenty years.

He began his career in the U.S. Army and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Art Education from Miami University of Ohio.

Pete Mastin - Chief Operating Officer

In addition to his role with CliqRex, Pete is CEO of Learnie, an education-tech company focused on micro learning, an approach to teaching that involves delivering information in short, bite-sized modules.

Previously, he was COO with NexTech AR Solutions, a company creating AI experiences with Meta for its Metaverse. Before that, he was CEO of Jolokia, an enterprise-streaming platform that was acquired in 2020.

Earlier in his career, Pete worked for IBM, and was Chief Technology Officer of Multicast Media Technologies, a digital-media business.

He earned a Master’s degree from the University of Georgia.

Co-Investors