Core Finance invested $400,000 in the pre-seed round of Friendly Apps, a social platform designed to prioritize user well-being. Founded by Michael Sayman, the former youngest Facebook employee who created Instagram Stories, the startup addresses growing concerns about how social media harms mental health.
While people now spend 3.8 trillion hours on mobile apps annually, social platforms frequently employ tactics that exacerbate anxiety and depression. Sayman recognized during his Facebook tenure that companies prioritize engagement over user welfare, prompting him to develop “a friendlier way.”
Friendly Apps differs by building services that help people connect with those they care about in ways that improve their mental health. The platform emphasizes authentic sharing and healthy growth.
The investment was co-led by BoxGroup, Weekend Fund, and several other venture firms alongside notable operators from Snap, TikTok, Instagram, Meta, Google, and Tesla.
The startup represents a significant shift in social media philosophy, offering a whole new perspective on mental health and well-being.