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Friendly Apps is an educational technology developer that creates interactive learning applications for young children, operating its software business from an undisclosed headquarters location. The organization's primary product is Keiki, a mobile application designed for children aged 2 to 6 that provides digital lessons, worksheets, and games focused on core early development skills such as logic, memory, counting, English, and reading. The company also develops Genie.gg, an artificial intelligence application that functions as a digital sidekick to provide a safe internet browsing experience, answer user questions appropriately, and encourage active parental involvement. These software products specifically target parents seeking structured educational content and secure digital environments for children aged 1 to 8 across various early learning stages. Friendly Apps was officially established in an undisclosed year by founders Inna Maksymenko and Darius Monsef.
Friendly Apps has raised $3.0M across 1 funding round.
Friendly Apps has raised $3.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Friendly Apps is a technology company building a suite of mobile applications focused on improving users' physical and mental well-being by prioritizing positive, non-toxic experiences over traditional social media models.[3][5] Founded by Michael Sayman, it targets Gen Z and others seeking intuitive apps that foster community, engagement, and health without the isolation or comparison traps of mainstream platforms, serving users facing mental health challenges, physical wellness needs, and even immigrant hurdles.[5] The company recently secured $3 million in seed funding from investors like BoxGroup, Weekend Fund, and Shrug Capital, fueling team expansion, feature innovation, and marketing to grow its user base amid rising demand for wellbeing-focused digital tools.[4][5]
This funding marks strong early momentum, enabling Friendly Apps to refine products that emphasize accessibility, enjoyment, and meaningful interactions, positioning it as a fresh alternative in the $100B+ mobile app market where health and retention are key priorities.[4]
Friendly Apps was founded by Michael Sayman, a product expert with a track record at major tech firms including contributions to Instagram Stories, WhatsApp Status, YouTube Shorts, and Roblox Graph.[5] A second-generation Latino immigrant, Sayman draws from personal insights into isolation and cultural challenges to inform his apps.[5]
The idea emerged in 2022 while Sayman was at Twitter's 0→1 team building teen experiences; Elon Musk's acquisition slowed internal progress, prompting him to launch independently with a thesis that Gen Z recognizes social apps' toxicity and craves tools for genuine health goals.[5] Early traction came via this seed round announcement, validating its mission to counter "tiny window" social feeds with evolved, human-centric apps.[4][5]
Friendly Apps stands out in the crowded app space through these key strengths:
Friendly Apps rides the mental health tech wave, capitalizing on Gen Z's backlash against addictive social media amid rising awareness of its links to anxiety and isolation—exacerbated by post-pandemic trends and platform toxicity.[5] Timing is ideal as investors pour into wellbeing apps (e.g., health, retention tools), with market forces like AI-driven personalization and non-Silicon Valley perspectives favoring inclusive startups.[4][5]
It influences the ecosystem by challenging Big Tech's dominance, inspiring "positive sum" apps that blend social features with therapy-like benefits, potentially reshaping mobile experiences for 2B+ global young users seeking escape from endless scrolls.[5]
Next for Friendly Apps: Expect rapid product launches emphasizing wellness (e.g., anti-isolation tools, immigrant support features) and user growth via marketing, powered by its $3M war chest and elite backers.[4][5] Trends like AI for mental health personalization and regulatory scrutiny on social apps will propel it, evolving its influence from niche innovator to mainstream wellbeing leader.
This positions Friendly Apps to redefine mobile apps not as distractions, but as genuine allies—echoing its seed-fueled mission to make tech enjoyable and human again.[4][5]
Friendly Apps has raised $3.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Friendly Apps's investors include 305 Ventures, GoAhead Ventures, Great Oaks Venture Capital, Predictive VC, Marco DeMeireles, Thirty Five Ventures, Torch Capital, Alex Rodriguez, Alper Kiresepi, Jennifer Lopez, Yagiz Sozmen, Hayley Leibson.
Friendly Apps has raised $3.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $3.0M Seed in May 2022.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 1, 2022 | $3M Seed | — | 305 Ventures, GoAhead Ventures, Great Oaks Venture Capital, Predictive VC, Marco Demeireles, Thirty Five Ventures, Torch Capital, Alex Rodriguez, Alper Kiresepi, Jennifer Lopez, Yagiz Sozmen, Hayley Leibson, Mark Kingdon, Betaworks Ventures, BoxGroup, Core Ventures, DAY ONE Ventures, Shrug Capital, SRB Ventures, Ryan Hoover | Announced |
