Startup News: How Threads Surpassed 400M Monthly Users and Lessons for Entrepreneurs in 2025
In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, the rise of social platforms continues to intrigue entrepreneurs and startup founders alike. Threads, Meta's answer to Twitter, has officially surpassed 400 million monthly active users in August 2025. This milestone is not just a feather in Meta's cap but a case study for startup founders aiming to disrupt established markets. This article explores Threads' growth trajectory, key insights for startups, and practical tools to accelerate entrepreneurial success, featuring PlayPal, the AI Friend and F/MS EU Grant Finder.
Why Threads' Success Matters for Entrepreneurs
Few startups or platforms achieve the level of growth Threads has seen in just two years. Launched in July 2023 by Meta, Threads was crafted to compete directly with Twitter (now X) amidst controversies surrounding Elon Musk's platform. By August 2025, Threads reported 400 million monthly active users, up from 350 million just a few months prior, demonstrating the power of rapid iteration and strategic feature rollouts.
Here’s why Threads’ journey is important for startup founders:
Market Opportunity: Threads capitalized on X's declining trust and user base. Identifying and seizing market gaps is essential for startups.
User-Centric Features: Rapid addition of high-value features like direct messaging (DMs) and fediverse integrations helped Threads maintain user interest and grow exponentially.
Consistency in Innovation: Threads consistently iterated, adding tools like custom feeds and leveraging AI for personalized user experiences.
Threads Growth Statistics
Let’s dive into Threads' staggering growth figures and how they compare to competitors:
Milestone Timeline:
July 2023: Threads launch.
December 2024: 300M MAUs.
April 2025: 350M MAUs.
August 2025: 400M MAUs.
User Base Comparison:
Threads Mobile App (June 2025): 115.1M daily active users, up 127.8% year-over-year.
X Mobile App (June 2025): 132M daily active users, down 15.2% year-over-year.
Threads Web Visits: 6.9M global daily visits vs. X’s 145.8M.
Threads Features Driving Growth
Threads exemplifies startup strategy best practices, especially in leveraging product innovation:
Direct Messaging (DMs): Threads rolled out DMs early, facilitating private engagement.
Looking for a personal AI co-founder? Meet PlayPal, an innovation by Fe/male Switch designed to accelerate your entrepreneurial journey.
Developed under the leadership of Violetta Bonenkamp, PlayPal acts as a virtual assistant tailored for startups. Here’s how PlayPal adds value:
Idea Validation: Get feedback and refinements for your business ideas.
Startup-Friendly Support: Navigate legal documents, pitch drafts, or customer strategies with AI guidance.
Skill Enhancement: Practice entrepreneurship skills like negotiation, strategy, and interpersonal communication.
2. F/MS EU Grant Finder
Funding is often a startup founder’s biggest challenge. The F/MS EU Grant Finder simplifies this process, guiding entrepreneurs to non-dilutive funding opportunities within the EU.
Here’s how the tool works:
Step 1: Find Your Grant: Explore grants tailored to your startup's industry and stage.
Step 2: AI-Powered Draft Writing: Let the system draft your application, saving hours of tedious work.
Step 3: Submit Like a Pro: Refine your draft and submit with confidence, maximizing your chances of success.
How Threads Can Inspire Your Startup Strategy
Threads' success demonstrates the value of continuous innovation and deep audience understanding. As an entrepreneur, consider these startup tips inspired by Threads:
Steps to Achieve Growth:
Identify Gaps: Look for voids left by competitors or challenges customers face.
Iterate Quickly: Threads rolled out features faster than X. Build, release, and adapt rapidly.
Embrace Technology: Leverage tools like AI to enhance customer engagement and streamline operations.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
Ignoring Feedback: Threads evolved based on user behavior, always listen to your audience.
Over-promising Features: Stick to your roadmap to ensure high quality.
Neglecting Market Data: Threads used Similarweb insights to calibrate its strategy, always trust evidence over instinct.
Conclusion
Threads' meteoric rise to 400 million monthly users isn’t just a milestone for Meta; it’s a blueprint for startups aiming to make a significant impact. By understanding market gaps, iterating rapidly, and prioritizing user adoption, Threads has offered lessons that no entrepreneur can afford to overlook.
Leverage tools like PlayPal, the AI Friend and F/MS EU Grant Finder to speed up your startup journey while avoiding common pitfalls. With innovation, adaptability, and smart tools, your entrepreneurial vision can become the next big success story, just like Threads.
For further insight into navigating startup challenges, check out Malta’s startup residency program or dive deeper into funding strategies with the AI Startup Lawyer. Let’s power your startup dream in 2025!
1. How many monthly active users does Threads have as of August 2025?
Threads has surpassed 400 million monthly active users, showing a significant increase in its user base since its launch in July 2023. Read more about Threads’ growth on TechCrunch
2. How does Threads compare to X (formerly Twitter) in terms of daily mobile app usage?
In June 2025, Threads had 115.1 million daily active users on mobile, compared to X's 132 million. While Threads demonstrated a 127.8% year-over-year increase, X experienced a 15.2% decline. Learn more about the comparison on TechCrunch
3. What features have driven Threads' rapid growth?
Threads' growth was propelled by features such as direct messaging, fediverse integrations, custom feeds, and AI-powered enhancements for content discovery. Explore the new features on TechCrunch
4. When did Threads launch, and how quickly has it grown?
Threads launched in July 2023. By December 2024, it had 300 million monthly active users, and by August 2025, it surpassed 400 million monthly active users, adding 50 million new users in Q2 2025 alone.
5. How does Threads perform on the web compared to X?
Threads sees significantly lower web engagement than X, with 6.9 million daily web visits compared to X’s 145.8 million daily web visits as of June 2025. Check out the analysis on TechCrunch
6. What role does AI play in Threads' user experience?
Threads utilizes AI for features like content summarization and personalized feeds, making navigation and content discovery more efficient for users. Discover AI-powered features on TechCrunch
7. How has Threads embraced decentralization?
Threads integrated fediverse protocols, allowing users to connect across decentralized platforms, which has attracted those seeking alternatives to centralized social networks. Learn more about fediverse integrations on TechCrunch
8. What can entrepreneurs learn from Threads’ success?
Entrepreneurs can draw lessons from Threads’ ability to identify market gaps, quickly iterate on features, and prioritize user-centric innovation to meet shifting demands. Read insights for entrepreneurs inspired by Threads
9. What are the demographics of Threads users?
Threads' user base leans toward younger, mobile-focused demographics, further influenced by its integration with Instagram’s audience. Explore Threads' demographic insights
10. How has Threads positioned itself against its competitors?
Threads is closing the gap with X in mobile engagement while focusing on decentralized features and AI innovation, carving out a niche in the growing social network landscape. Read more about Threads’ competitive positioning
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch. The Fe/male Switch team is located in several countries, including the Netherlands and Malta.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
100+ startup tools built
5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.