AI Startup Born Secures $15M to Reinvent Social Companions

Berlin-based gaming startup Born has secured $15 million in a Series A funding round, bringing its total investment to $25 million. The company, which previously operated as the teen-focused social app Slay, is shifting its focus toward creating AI companions designed to foster human connection rather than digital isolation.

Fabian Kamberi, CEO and co-founder of Born, argues that the current market for AI chatbots is flawed. According to Kamberi, many existing products inadvertently worsen the loneliness epidemic by trapping users in solitary, one-to-one interactions with machines.

“It feels like it fuels the loneliness epidemic, instead of making it more fun and giving users the opportunity to make their lives better,” Kamberi stated.

Building Shared Digital Experiences

The company’s primary offering is Pengu, a virtual pet app that functions similarly to a modern, generative AI-powered Tamagotchi. Unlike solitary chatbot apps, Pengu requires users to collaborate with friends or romantic partners to raise the virtual character, turning the AI interaction into a shared project.

Key metrics for the startup include:

• User Base: Over 15 million users globally.
• Funding: $15 million Series A led by investors including Accel, Tencent, and Laton Ventures.
• Business Model: A freemium structure offering a “Pengu Pass” subscription for enhanced features.

Expansion and Future Tech

With the new capital, Born plans to scale its operations significantly. The company is set to open a New York office later this year, which will serve as a hub for marketing and AI research. Enrico Dal Re, Born’s head of finance, is tasked with leading this U.S. expansion.

The research team is currently focused on enhancing the startup’s character engine. The goal is to create AI companions that maintain consistent personalities, retain memory of past interactions, and evolve alongside the user. While the company utilizes OpenAI’s models, Kamberi noted that they have implemented custom safety layers to manage user interactions.

Targeting a New Social Category

Beyond existing apps, Born is developing a new product in stealth mode targeted at individuals aged 16 to 21. This upcoming platform aims to provide “culturally relevant” AI companions that mimic the behavior of real friends—such as sharing social media content like TikTok videos or Instagram Reels.

Luca Bocchio, a partner at Accel, highlighted the firm’s interest in Born’s vision. “We’ve been really impressed by the team’s ability to develop chart-topping apps and their inspiring product vision,” Bocchio said.

For Kamberi, the ultimate objective is to move past the standard chatbot interface. He believes that consumer social AI needs to be more interactive and community-oriented to truly thrive in the long term, moving away from simple text-based exchanges toward more engaging, network-driven environments.