Replika founder raises $20M pre-seed for Wabi, the ‘YouTube of apps’

Eugenia Kuyda, a pioneer in consumer AI with her earlier venture Replika, has embarked on a new journey with Wabi, a platform she envisions as the 'YouTube for apps.' Launched in beta last month, Wabi allows users to generate mini apps using simple prompts and share them socially. This innovative approach aims to redefine how users interact with software, making personalized applications accessible to everyone. With an impressive $20 million in pre-seed funding from notable investors such as Naval Ravikant and Garry Tan, Kuyda's new startup is positioned to tap into the growing demand for user-friendly app creation tools. Wabi’s platform distinguishes itself by integrating app creation, discovery, and hosting—all without the need for an app store. Kuyda explained that the platform is designed for those without coding backgrounds, enabling them to create apps relevant to their daily lives effortlessly. For instance, a user can simply input 'build me an AI therapy app,' and Wabi will suggest features and automatically generate the app, eliminating the need for any technical expertise. Recently, Wabi introduced social features for its beta users, allowing them to like, comment, and remix existing apps, while also exploring user profiles to see popular creations. The platform has gained traction on social media, with users praising its simplicity and creativity potential. Kuyda emphasizes the importance of the social aspect, suggesting that it fosters creativity and community engagement. The Explore page showcases trending apps and is set to evolve into a more algorithm-driven experience over time. Wabi plans to implement personalized onboarding, which will help new users quickly create starter apps tailored to their interests. The platform’s core offering aligns with the growing trend of no-code solutions, allowing users to solve everyday problems through app creation. As Wabi addresses the technical intricacies, users can focus on crafting their apps without worrying about the underlying code. While users might encounter some issues during the app development process, such as repeated content, Kuyda assures that improvements are underway. A significant portion of the recent funding will enhance Wabi’s product team and focus on refining the user experience. Kuyda is determined to keep Wabi ad-free, prioritizing a pleasant user experience over monetization through traditional advertising methods. Observers believe that once Wabi's network effects kick in, monetization opportunities will naturally arise, similar to the evolution seen in platforms like YouTube. The potential of Wabi is vast, as it aims to empower users to create software as effortlessly as posting on social media. Kuyda’s vision for a more customizable and dynamic internet could lead to a new era of software development, reminiscent of the early days of the web, where individuality and creativity flourished.