Content monetization service Boosty helped Russian creators reach foreign audiences, but it may get sold to social media giant VK

Shortly after the Russian authorities blocked Patreon in the country, a homegrown content monetization platform called Boosty emerged as a popular alternative that let Russian content creators stay in touch with their patrons and continue getting donations from abroad.

According to the Russian business news outlet Kommersant, Boosty’s developer, My.Games, is now looking to sell the platform. Industry insiders have told the publication that Boosty stands to be acquired by the end of 2023, possibly by the Russian social media giant VK.

Boosty is currently in the process of incorporating as a separate entity, and prospective buyers include VK, whose donation processing service VK Donut might get integrated with Boosty after the sale.

Boosty is currently valued at $4–5 million by some experts, while others believe its true value could be closer to $10 million or above. With 20 million users, the service now controls more than half of the content monetization market in Russia, with the other half split between VK Donut and other services.

Neither Boosty nor VK responded to Kommersant’s queries about the impending deal.