The service's core technology was created at SRI International by Michael Downing based on two patents owned by that company.

[1][2] In April 2010, Tout spun off as its own company with SRI taking an equity stake.

[2] Tout gained popularity in June 2011 when basketball player Shaquille O'Neal used the service to announce his retirement.

[3] On July 11, 2012, the company announced a $13.4 million round of Series B funding; professional wrestling promotion WWE participated in the funding round, and announced a two-year strategic partnership with the company.

[4][5] During WWE CEO Vince McMahon's quarterly conference call with investors held on the morning of August 2, WWE CFO George Barrios disclosed the amount of that investment to have been $5 million, but would not disclose what percentage of the company that sum represents.