Skylight, a startup aiming to rival TikTok with a more open and decentralized approach, has officially launched its mobile app to the public after just 10 weeks of development. Backed by Mark Cuban and other investors, Skylight is built on the AT Protocol, the same underlying technology that powers the social network Bluesky and an increasing number of other decentralized applications.
Developed by co-founders Tori White (CEO) and Reed Harmeyer (CTO), Skylight offers a short-form video experience with familiar features such as an in-app editor, the ability to like, comment, and share videos, user profiles, and a follow system. As Skylight is built on ATProto, it automatically integrates with Bluesky’s network of over 33.8 million users, enabling cross-platform engagement across other ATProto-based apps, such as the photo-centric Flashes.
Backing and Inspiration
The company received pre-seed funding from Cuban, who had previously expressed interest in supporting a TikTok alternative leveraging ATProto. Additionally, Graham & Walker Venture Fund, led by Leslie Feinzaig, invested in Skylight. The idea for Skylight was sparked when White, a former travel influencer turned self-taught software developer, anticipated a potential TikTok ban in the U.S. Concerned about losing her content and audience, she and Harmeyer explored ATProto’s potential for creating a “ban-proof” social media platform.
Future Plans and Features
Looking ahead, Skylight plans to introduce advanced feed customization options, innovative navigation gestures beyond traditional scrolling, and additional features such as support for sounds, duets, stitching, bookmarks, and playlists. The app, which had been in beta on the Google Play Store, is now available to the public on Apple’s App Store following initial testing.
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