Buddy raises $1.1 million for social service app

Buddya social service app designed to get you away from your phone and socialize in real life, announced a $1.1 million pre-seed funding round from gaming veterans Tim Willits and Vince Zampella.

The Los Angeles startup also hired Dennis Fong, the first professional gamer and CEO of GGWP, as a consultant.

The company said this funding and industry expertise will advance Buddy’s ambitious product roadmap, which includes innovative AI-powered gaming features.

“We’re not just here to play the game, we’re here to change it. “I’m so grateful to have a superstar team of industry leaders who won’t sleep until we make a significant, positive impact,” Claire Wright, Buddy’s CEO and founder, said in a statement. “We are developing more than just a product; We’re creating a tool that enables people to truly live life, connect, and thrive in ways that matter. “Our mission is to drive culture, spark change, and redefine what it means to interact with the world around us.”

Buddy was created with Gen Z and Gen A advisors and wants to redefine social interaction by combining digital and physical experiences with a focus on non-toxic, private interaction. Patented network usage
Buddy technology enables connectivity even without cellular or Wi-Fi networks, and the company continues to anticipate and meet the next generation’s needs before they even emerge.

Support from game leaders

“Buddy’s core mission to create a healthier, safer social platform resonates deeply with me as a parent of three Gen Z children,” Tim Willits, chief creative officer of Saber Interactive, said in a statement. “I’ve seen how traditional social media apps can impact my children’s well-being, with constant scrolling often leaving them feeling insecure and lonely. BUDDY prioritizes real-world connections by empowering people to build meaningful, real relationships that truly support them as individuals, even in areas without reliable cell phone or Wi-Fi service.”

Vince Zampella, co-founder of Respawn Entertainment and an executive at Electronic Arts, said in a statement: “Buddy’s patented technology, experienced entertainment and team members are impressive. The mission to foster connection and real-life connection is an exciting cultural shift, and one I can support. As the father of digital natives, I am always on the lookout for investment opportunities that foster better forms of connection. “It’s exciting to see the next wave of progress on social platforms.”

Dennis Fong, whose digital security tools at GGWP help protect users on some of the largest online platforms, said in a statement that Buddy is perfectly aligned with its mission.

“I’m happy to be a part of Buddy’s journey,” Fong said. “A commitment to fostering healthy, authentic connections in this digital age is vital, and I believe Buddy is uniquely positioned to lead this change.”

What will Buddy do?

Buddy wants to revolutionize user engagement by turning URL interactions into real-life experiences. Proprietary network technology enables seamless communication without relying on traditional networks, allowing users to develop meaningful relationships in their daily lives.

The app has been in beta testing on mobile devices since May.

The Buddy team brings extensive experience from leading Fortune 500 companies in music, interactive entertainment and technology. Wright has achieved notable DTC debut as a three-time founder and entertainment executive.

CTO and co-founder Logan Nguyen previously worked at Luminary, Gilt Groupe and S’More, and
multiple exits NGO and co-founder Ryh-Ming Poon previously led global communications and strategy for multibillion-dollar franchises at Activision Blizzard and Jam City. This powerful team combines in a unique way
Expertise in building the world’s first social work app.

I asked if the app was focused on younger users. In an email to GamesBeat, Wright responded: “Buddy was built with and for Gen Z because they are so fussy about features and UI/UX. Buddy is useful for everyone because it allows you to connect without a communications infrastructure.” is a social companion tool, a resource, but our anti-marketing, lo-fi design and AI-driven location-based gamification rewards end users for the personal life is definitely geared more toward Zoomers.

Wright added: “Buddy’s innovative acquisition strategy, which addresses the growing CAC (customer acquisition cost) issue in DTC apps, allowed us to build an app they want and need because we don’t have to meet screen time metrics. Buddy is the antidote to the attention economy and we “We are here to help improve users’ lives, not distract them from it.”

I asked what makes Buddy unique.

Wright said: “Buddy is an app that rewards users for getting out and living life. Our users are people who are tired or mature, looking for meaningful connections and life experiences beyond Snapchat, TikTok or Instagram. It will keep people on their phones because our metrics are not based on screen time We didn’t have to build features. Ironically, we’re not an app that encourages you to put down your phones. Buddy has rethought how to create a social app that’s an informative source of information that you’ll actually want to see and benefit from, just like Reddit does…of friends. It is a network formed.”

Wright added: “Imagine it’s a Saturday morning and you’re spontaneously planning with close friends who are already at Buddy. Instead of a broadcast or group chat, Buddy becomes your real-time, invite-only map for shared experiences; No endless scrolling, no pressure to post, just pure, intimate connections.

How does Buddy work?

As an example, Wright said you can leave a “secret spot” to start your day. You can place it at your favorite breakfast place by tagging it with the note “Great coffee and no queues before 10am.”

This is automatically deleted after 24 hours; Therefore, it is only a short-term hint between friends and creates a special, instant feeling. Unless the weather is that hot, you decide to save it by changing the caretaker mentality. All of this happens without serving ads or other features designed to keep you glued to your screen.

Friends can add to any loop in real time. Throughout the day, nearby friends add their own Spot updates: One finds a street vendor selling old records, the other leaves a “Meet me here” spot at a quiet lakeside picnic area. Each Spot comes with a short message and disappears at the end of the day (unless someone wants to save the spot for future reference), leaving no trace, just time-sensitive clues you actually want.

And Friends can share status without much noise. The Buddy’s Loop feature lets each friend say “I’m on my way” or “I’m leaving in 5 minutes!” Allows users to check in with simple status updates such as; these are quick, functional signals without the need for full messages or explanations.

It also has built-in privacy and exclusivity. Buddy only shows updates to those on your network; It’s like having a private social map where everyone’s intentions align with what you want to do together.

And it disappears. Within 24 hours, all Dots, Loops and messages of the day disappear. There is no broadcast to revisit, no content stored forever, just the memory of a great day shared.

Without giving away too much detail, Wright said Buddy creates AI-powered, location-specific activities that help make your days more adventurous and fun, allowing you and your friends to get to know your city, get off your phone, and experience it firsthand. .

Wright said the company is focused on creating a non-toxic environment at Buddy. This involved extensive user research and data science to ensure the app makes users feel safe, connected, and free from the typical social pressures found on other platforms.

Unlike traditional social media apps, Buddy is based on a private network and has no public profiles, likes or follower counts. Users don’t have to worry about engagement metrics and don’t feel pressured to look in a certain direction in front of the camera to get approval. The app focuses on real-time, location-based interactions that are purposeful and temporary; allowing users to share meaningful updates, not curated contacts. Eventually the company will likely integrate a tool like GGWP, which uses artificial intelligence to examine communications for toxicity.

The team consists of 10 people and is gradually growing. The app was made available in beta on the iOS app store in May and was available to beta users. waiting list is now openand users can reserve their handles and receive updates before the big launch in 2025.

In addition to Willits and Zampella, investors include Paul Reim of Reim Advisors.