QallOut raises $450k, brings live video debates to the web

QallOut is a new online debating platform that uses live video like no one else before. Based out of New York City, the platform provides outspoken Internet users the chance to take their heated debates away from the comments section and engage in exhilarating, live head-to-head video debates online. Debates cover any topic (not just politics), broadcast to a live audience in real-time and get stored for sharing with the public or private user groups.

“This elections season is hotter than ever because of the fierce debates and public clashes between the candidates and their supporters,” said Yazan Madanat, Co-Founder and CEO of QallOut. “But the truth is, regular online users can be more knowledgeable, entertaining and eloquent than most mainstream experts. It’s a shame to have their debates buried in long Reddit threads when live video could capture super interesting exchanges.”

On QallOut, users can start or find a debatable topic; see how many people agree or disagree; submit a stance; and then challenge an opponent for a live head-to-head video debate. A sample debate, discussing the motion “College Athletes Should Be Compensated by the NCAA,” can be found here.

“Just imagine watching a transgendered LGBT advocate debating a liberal religious cleric from Iran. A Warriors fan ripping apart a Cavs fan. What about Trump’s biggest supporter debating a volunteer from Hillary’s campaign? We want to make these exciting interactions possible and accessible to anyone, so the whole world can enjoy the show while learning a thing or two,” Yazan explained.

QallOut aims to bridge the dialogue gap between the most conflicted online groups. Whereas social media platforms like Facebook create “online echo chambers” by recycling more of what its users already like, the goal of QallOut is to facilitate a respectful, much-needed exchange of opinions between polarized ideologies.

Yazan identified the need to improve online discourse while living in the Middle East, a region he described as politically explosive on social media and often misconstrued by the rest of the world. Realizing the amount of false information online is off the charts, he found inspiration in Jon Stewart’s proposal that the “best defense against misinformation is vigilance.”

“The most effective way to fight lies and destructive Internet trolls is to eloquently ‘Qall’ them out,” Yazan Madanat said. “That’s why QallOut uses state-of-the-art peer-2-peer live video technology to host the best debates between regular online users and showcase the most exciting ‘knockouts.’”

In June 2016, QallOut raised $450 thousand in seed funding from prominent angel investors. It is currently available in Beta as a desktop web app with a mobile version expected soon.

To learn more or join the Beta and start a debate, please visit https://www.qallout.com/ or view the QallOut teaser video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miQ9H9ko7k0.

Media Contact:

Yazan Madanat

Email: yazanmadanat(at)qallout(dot)com

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Twitter.com/qalloutcom

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