YouScribe
French digital library and streaming service
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
YouScribe is a French digital library and streaming service established in 2010 by Juan Pirlot de Corbion, previously the founder of the online bookstore Chapitre.com.[1][2][3] The platform is headquartered in Paris, France, and offers access to a variety of digital reading materials including books, audiobooks, podcasts, educational content, and magazines in French, English, and Arabic.
| Company type | Streaming digital library |
|---|---|
| Industry | Digital library |
| Founded | 2010 in Paris, France |
| Founder | Juan Pirlot de Corbion |
| Headquarters | Paris, France |
| Products | Books, audiobooks, podcasts, educational content, press titles, magazines |
| Website | www |
History
YouScribe was launched in 2011 as an open library solution for document sharing.[4] By 2015, the company had adopted a subscription model, in partnership with publishers, providing unlimited access to its digital library for a monthly payment. This model includes a wide array of content types such as books, audiobooks, podcasts, educational content, press titles, and magazines.[5]
In 2017, YouScribe expanded its services to the African continent.[6] The following year, in March 2018, the platform joined forces with the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie to provide French-speaking educational resources for integration into its programs.[7][8] In October 2018, YouScribe formed a partnership with Orange Group and Digital Virgo, enabling all of Orange's African subsidiaries to integrate the YouScribe service into their offerings,[9] with subscriptions available on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, paid through the user's mobile plan.[10]
The service was deployed in Senegal and Cameroon in April 2019,[11] and a month later in Ivory Coast, before further expanding to Mali, the DRC, and Guinea.[12] In 2020, YouScribe established an organization based in Africa to facilitate access to its streaming library for schools, universities, and businesses. The same year, the company unveiled a digital library project for youth called Maktabati, in collaboration with Maroc Telecom.[13]
In 2021, YouScribe signed a partnership agreement with the Moroccan telephone operator Inwi to launch a reading offer in Morocco.[14] March 2022 saw a partnership with Canal+ Group to offer subscribers in Africa access to the library with their subscription.[15][16] In February 2022, YouScribe raised 5 million euros from the Banque des Territoires. This funding was part of the France 2030 investment plan.[17][18] By September 2022, YouScribe had reached 1 million subscribers across 11 African countries.[19][20][21] In June 2023, the company signed a further partnership agreement with the Ministry of Culture and Communication of Morocco,[22][23] providing 10,000 accesses to its content to equip 50 media libraries across the country.[24][25]
In October 2023, at the Algiers International Book Fair, YouScribe announced the introduction of its services in Algeria. This expansion was facilitated through a partnership with Djezzy and Qanawat.[26][27]
In March 2024, YouScribe collaborated with Digital Virgo and MTN to launch its services in Ghana. This marked the company's second expansion into an English-speaking African country, following its earlier launch in South Africa.[28][29]
Partnerships and sponsorship
Events
- Trophée des Plumes: In partnership with Orange Money Europe, YouScribe organized the Trophée des Plumes, a writing competition rewarding new talents from across the globe. The first edition took place in 2021.[35][36]
- Rentrée Littéraire Africaine: In 2022, YouScribe organized the first edition of the Rentrée Littéraire Africaine, an event aimed at promoting the latest African literary publications.[37]
- Guinean Book Prize: In May 2022, YouScribe partnered with the Orange Guinea Foundation to launch the first edition of the Guinean Book Prize.[38][39]