First Voyage, the startup behind the AI companion application Momo Self Care, announced Monday it secured $2.5 million in a seed funding round. The investment, which included participation from a16z speedrun, SignalFire, True Global, and other investors, is earmarked for the expansion and development of its habit-building platform.
Momo Self Care operates as a digital pet interface, designed to assist users in establishing and maintaining desired habits. The application, currently available on iOS, provides reminders for user-defined tasks. Completion of these tasks is rewarded with in-app currency, which can be utilized to customize the digital pet. The AI component also engages users in discussions about self-care, offering recommendations tailored to individual objectives. This functionality aligns with similar productivity applications like Focus Friend.
Besart Çopa, co-founder and CEO of First Voyage, stated that Momo "helps users become the best versions of themselves." According to Çopa, users have generated over 2 million tasks on the platform, with popular habit categories including productivity, spirituality, and mindfulness.
The funding arrives amid a growing market for AI companion applications, which has also brought increased scrutiny regarding their potential impact. Çopa addressed these concerns, stating that while he anticipates an increase in "relationships between AI characters and humans," he differentiates Momo by its focus on wellness rather than "base urges." He noted that Momo incorporates safety guardrails, such as prompt filters, to ensure conversations remain within appropriate boundaries.
The newly acquired capital will primarily facilitate the launch of Momo on the Android app store. Additionally, First Voyage plans to enhance the AI's interactive intelligence. Çopa articulated the company's vision for Momo and its user community to evolve into "a defining consumer brand that uses the best of AI, animation, and gamification to improve as many lives as possible."
