FundraiseOct 29, 2026, 15:08 UTC

Replika creator's Wabi raises $55M at $1.25B to build AI for groups

What's the deal? Wabi, a San Francisco personal AI startup founded by Replika creator Eugenia Kuyda, has raised $55 million in an early-stage round at a $1.25 billion valuation. IVP led, with Andreessen Horowitz, Forerunner, Amazon's Alexa Fund and angels including Tobi Lütke, Marc Benioff and Marissa Mayer participating.

What's the endgame? Wabi pairs an AI agent with personalised mini-apps and shared spaces, betting that the next era of personal AI happens between people rather than one user typing into one chat. Kuyda wants it to become "an operating system for life."

The product: Since its October public launch, groups have used Wabi to discover bands based on shared tastes, run fitness challenges and plan date nights. Mini-apps let couples track restaurants, families build meal plans and friends create trivia games — tools people revisit over time rather than one-off chats.

Why now? The round closes just as Wabi moves from invite-only access into the market, following what it calls strong early interest. The new funding will support continued product development and expansion.

What could go wrong? Wabi has not disclosed user numbers or a business model, so early demand is not yet evidence of durable traction. Its group-focused approach also raises questions about consent and sharing personal data.

The signal: At roughly the 98th percentile for size among US mobile-app early-stage rounds, the $55 million raise reflects investor conviction in the consumer-agent opportunity more than a proven business. Wabi is entering a crowded field where OpenAI and Meta are competing for consumer AI users, wagering that a shared assistant can stand apart from one-to-one rivals.