Born, a consumer tech startup focused on AI-powered social apps, has raised US$15 million in series A funding led by Accel, with participation from Tencent and Laton Ventures.

Founded in 2022, the company is known for its flagship app Pengu, which has reached more than 15 million users globally.

Born plans to use the new funding to expand its team, accelerate product development, and open a US office in New York.

Its backers include Supercell co-founder Ilkka Paananen, King co-founder Riccardo Zacconi, former Adobe CPO Scott Belsky, and Alexander Pall of The Chainsmokers.

The firm says it is working on new AI characters and a social AI product currently in stealth.

Born creates consumer AI experiences aimed at social interaction and entertainment, with strong European ties.

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🔗 Source: Born

🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

Gaming industry veterans see AI companions as the next social frontier

Born’s investor lineup reads like a gaming industry hall of fame, with Supercell Co-Founder Ilkka Paananen, King Co-Founder Riccardo Zacconi, and Tencent all backing the company1. This represents a strategic shift as gaming executives recognize AI companions as the evolution of social gaming, where Pengu’s 15 million users engage in “co-parenting” virtual characters similar to caring for digital pets in games like Tamagotchi1. Tencent’s investment is particularly telling—the company has backed major social platforms including Snapchat, Discord, and Epic Games, indicating they view AI companions as the next category of consumer social products1.

AI companion startups face mounting pressure over user wellbeing concerns

Recent research reveals that heavy use of AI companions correlates with increased loneliness and reduced social interaction, raising questions about whether these platforms truly help users or create dependency2. Born’s positioning as creating “emotionally resonant” companions that “stay for a lifetime” directly addresses concerns that AI companions might replace rather than supplement human relationships13. The for-profit nature of AI companion services creates potential conflicts between maximizing user engagement and promoting healthy relationship patterns, similar to challenges faced by social media companies4. With the U.S. Surgeon General classifying loneliness as an epidemic with health impacts comparable to smoking, Born and similar companies face growing scrutiny over whether their business models prioritize user wellbeing over engagement metrics3. ……