Huda Kattan invests in micro learning app Uptime, joining as a board member

Huda Beauty founder and chairwoman of HB Investments says she wants to help create 'a truly global ed-tech platform'

Huda Kattan, the founder of Huda Beauty and chairwoman of HB Investments, has invested in micro learning app Uptime, also becoming a board member. Courtesy HB Investments

Huda Beauty founder Huda Kattan is now one of the investors in micro learning app Uptime, which raised $16 million in seed funding in February.

Kattan, who joins YouTube co-founder Chad Hurley as an investor, among others, will also serve as a board member of the platform through her HB Investments.

Uptime is a self-described "knowledge hacking app", available to download for free, giving users five-minute snippets of a variety of content – everything from books to courses and documentaries. Users then have the option to purchase the content in its entirety via the app.

The platform is aimed at anyone who wants to learn, but only has a short amount of time or limited resources to do so, said co-founder Patrick Walker, a former YouTube and Facebook executive.

"It's perfect for Gen-Z, millennials, parents, anyone with an interest in enhancing their personal or career prospects, and a desire to fill their time with constructive and uplifting content," he told TechCrunch in February.

Kattan’s involvement brings the total raised by Uptime to $19 million in less than a year. The company will use the new funding to continue to develop the product, the content and accelerate global growth, it said.

“Democratising access to education is something I care deeply about and so does the team at Uptime,” Kattan, who is also the chairwoman of HB Investments, said. "I’m excited to be joining them on this journey as an investor and board member to create a truly global ed-tech platform."

Hurley, an angel investor, said: "I've been watching the Uptime team closely and it's clear they're on to a winner with the innovative learning format and blending of advanced machine learning and human curation.

“Consumer tech products are no longer just about engaging users, they have to offer value and this is one app I’m excited to be backing.”

Ever since it launched in 2017, Kattan's HB Investments has been funding and mentoring entrepreneurs around the world. Last September, it became one of the principal shareholders of the UAE luxury resale marketplace The Luxury Closet.

In April, Kattan announced she was sponsoring Nascar's first female Arab driver Toni Breidinger, who made her debut driving the Huda Beauty 02 Chevrolet SS at the General Tire 200 series at Talladega Superspeedway.