Kick — Key Facts
| Founded | 2022 |
| Co-Founders | Ed Craven & Tyler “Trainwreck” Niknam |
| Headquarters | Melbourne, Australia / Global |
| Backed By | Stake.com (online casino platform) |
| Business Model | Live streaming platform (competitor to Twitch) |
| Revenue Share | 95/5 split in favor of streamers |
Kick is a live streaming platform launched in 2022 as a direct competitor to Amazon’s Twitch. Backed by the online gambling platform Stake.com, Kick has attracted major content creators with its creator-friendly 95/5 revenue split (compared to Twitch’s 50/50), more permissive content policies, and significant signing bonuses for high-profile streamers. The platform grew rapidly in 2023 after signing high-profile creators including xQc and Amouranth.
Who Owns Kick?
Kick was co-founded by Ed Craven and Tyler Niknam (known online as “Trainwreck”). Ed Craven is the co-founder and co-CEO of Stake.com, one of the world’s largest crypto gambling casinos. Stake.com is the primary financial backer of Kick, and Craven plays a central role in Kick’s strategic direction. Trainwreck, a prominent Twitch streamer, co-founded Kick and serves as a brand ambassador and creative partner. Kick is privately held by its founders and backers, with Stake.com providing the primary financing. The company is registered in Australia.
Why Kick Was Created
Kick was founded in response to frustration with Twitch’s restrictive content policies and unfavorable monetization terms for creators. Twitch’s standard subscription revenue split gives streamers 50% of subscription revenue (with top partners negotiating up to 70%), while Kick offers 95% to all streamers. Kick also adopted more permissive content guidelines, allowing certain content categories that Twitch had restricted, which attracted creators looking for greater creative freedom. The platform has been controversial due to its association with gambling content through its Stake.com backing.
Growth and Controversy
Kick signed several of the biggest names in streaming for multi-million dollar deals, including xQc (Félix Lengyel), who signed a non-exclusive deal reportedly worth $70 million, and Amouranth. The platform’s association with gambling — particularly Stake.com’s slot machine and casino streams — has drawn criticism from the streaming community and consumer advocates. Despite controversy, Kick has attracted millions of viewers and established itself as a significant alternative streaming destination.
