First Voyage Raises $2.5M for AI Habit-Building Companion
▼ Summary
– First Voyage’s Momo Self Care app uses an AI companion pet to help users build habits by setting reminders and rewarding task completion.
– The startup recently raised $2.5 million in seed funding from investors including a16z speedrun and SignalFire.
– Users have created over 2 million tasks on the platform, with popular habits focused on productivity, spirituality, and mindfulness.
– The CEO acknowledges concerns about AI companions but believes focusing on wellness is preferable and has implemented safety guardrails in the app.
– The funding will support an Android launch and efforts to make Momo’s interactions more intelligent.
In a digital landscape increasingly saturated with automated content, a new startup offers a different path. First Voyage has secured $2.5 million in seed funding to develop Momo Self Care, an AI companion app designed to help users build better habits through a unique digital relationship. The funding round attracted notable investors including a16z speedrun and SignalFire, signaling strong interest in this personalized approach to wellness technology.
The app centers on a digital pet named Momo. Users care for Momo, and in return, it provides reminders for habit-building tasks they want to complete. This system mirrors successful productivity tools by incorporating gamification; completing tasks earns coins that can be spent on customizing the virtual companion. Beyond simple reminders, Momo acts as a conversational partner. Users can discuss self-care goals, and the AI will recommend personalized habits and tasks to help achieve them.
“Momo helps users become the best versions of themselves, and users reward Momo with care, affection, and cute accessories,” explained Besart Çopa, co-founder and CEO of First Voyage. He shared that the platform has already seen users create over two million tasks, with popular habits focusing on productivity, spirituality, and mindfulness.
This launch arrives amid a surge of AI applications and growing scrutiny over their societal impact. While AI chatbots and companions are becoming commonplace, concerns persist about whether they ultimately benefit users. Çopa acknowledges this dynamic but views the trend positively when directed toward constructive ends. He believes human-AI relationships will deepen in coming years and is encouraged that many developers are focusing on wellness rather than less substantive applications.
“We are happy so many founders and startups are working in the AI self-care wellness space instead of building waifus,” Çopa noted. He emphasized that AI’s personalization capabilities will significantly enhance the value of these digital interactions. To ensure safety, the Momo app includes built-in guardrails like prompt filters to maintain appropriate conversational boundaries.
The newly acquired capital will primarily support expanding the app’s availability. An Android version is a key priority, following its current iOS launch. The team also plans to invest in making Momo’s interactions more intelligent and responsive. The long-term vision is to cultivate a supportive community around the brand, leveraging a blend of AI, animation, and game-like elements to make a positive impact.
“We hope Momo and the community around it become a defining consumer brand that uses the best of AI, animation, and gamification to improve as many lives as possible,” Çopa stated.
(Source: TechCrunch)
