Kurzgesagt, a YouTube channel known for its science-based content, was founded by Philipp, who dropped out of high school and was inspired by a teacher who emphasized connections and the big picture. The channel was initially a passion project and started in 2012 when YouTube was less commercial and more idealistic. The channel initially cost money to make, with the team working for clients during the day and on Kurzgesagt at night. In 2015, the channel began to break even and then to earn a profit.
In 2023, Kurzgesagt is an animation studio with offices in Munich and Berlin. The team consists of over 60 full employees and many freelancers around the world. The channel's high production costs present a challenge, as they aim to publish their work for free.
The channel's sources of funding change depending on opportunities and the state of the world. Early on, agency work was the main source of income, but ad revenue varies. The channel's shop and Patreon are the most important sources of revenue, accounting for 62% of their earnings.
Kurzgesagt's core mission is to spark curiosity and make science and humanism accessible for as many people as possible. They aim to inspire long-term thinking and a positive, constructive outlook. Despite the gloominess of many topics, they approach them with informed and well-researched optimism.
In the long run, Kurzgesagt aims to be a positive influence across more media, including TikTok, long-form content, apps, and future games. Their shop is a central part of this vision, starting their stories with a video and ending them with a poster.
Kurzgesagt appreciates the support of its viewers, who can help them continue their work by watching and sharing their videos, checking out their shop, becoming a Patreon, or giving them an ad blocker exception.
1. Kurzgesagt has existed for 10 years in 2023, making it one of the largest science channels on YouTube.
2. The channel was founded by Philipp, who dropped out of high school as a teenager and was inspired to start Kurzgesagt after a special teacher changed his perspective on learning.
3. In 2012, YouTube was less commercial and more idealistic, and the channel was initially funded by intrinsic motivation and a few friends from university.
4. In 2015, the channel began to break even and then to earn a profit.
5. As of 2023, Kurzgesagt is an animation studio with offices in Munich and Berlin, and its team consists of over 60 full employees and many freelancers worldwide.
6. The channel's high production costs create a challenge for publishing work for free.
7. The sources of funding for Kurzgesagt change depending on opportunities and the state of the world.
8. 62% of Kurzgesagt's revenue comes directly or indirectly from viewers, who watch their videos with ads, support them on Patreon, or buy from their shop.
9. The single biggest source of income is the shop, which accounted for 40% over the last 8 years.
10. YouTube ads accounted for 13% and Patreon 9% of the revenue.
11. Paid agency work, which accounted for 9% of the revenue over the last 8 years, was stopped in 2022.
12. Commercial sponsors advertising products accounted for 12% of the revenue.
13. Kurzgesagt received about 7% from German Public Broadcasting for the German Channel, but ended this partnership in 2022.
14. Institutional sponsors representing about 10% of the revenue funded a variety of topics, often suggested by Kurzgesagt.
15. Kurzgesagt's core mission is to spark curiosity and make science and humanism accessible for as many people as possible.
16. The channel aims to inspire long-term thinking and a positive, constructive outlook, despite the gloominess of many topics.
17. Kurzgesagt's vision is for the channel to be a positive influence across more media, including Tik Tok, long-form content, apps, and future games.
18. The channel's shop is a central part of this vision, starting stories with a video and ending them with a poster.
19. The channel hopes to make science and learning more fun for as many people as possible.