Hi, I'm Nigel,

I often get asked, “Where did the idea for Ko-fi come from?” So, I wanted to share the story with you.

In 2011, I was working as a freelance creator and was stuck with a coding problem. The deadline was approaching and I was no nearer a solution. After hours of frustration, I found another creator online who’d kindly posted the answer, saving me tons of time. I felt grateful and wanted to thank them personally and meaningfully.

But all I could do was click an ‘upvote’ button. It wasn’t personal. It wasn’t human.

I wanted to send a few dollars and say, “Thank you. You really helped me.” That’s when the idea for Ko-fi was born.

Today, Ko-fi still embodies the idea of genuine emotional and financial support. But it’s no longer just a way to buy someone a “coffee”. We’ve built a platform shaped by what creators need most. From building memberships to offering commissions, keeping more of your streaming income and selling your creative projects.

Our focus is, and always will be, on you - the creators. Every piece of feedback you send is read and considered. We believe the best ideas come from those who use Ko-fi every day, and we’re dedicated to making the platform work better for you.

We’ve made a conscious decision to stay independent, without outside investment. Why? Because it lets us keep our priorities where they belong – on creators and their supporters. We get to make decisions that are thoughtful and deliberate, always aiming to benefit our community.