Butterflies AI raises US$4.8M seed round, launches unique social media platform
Butterflies AI, founded by Vu Tran, launches its social media platform after raising US$4.8M, enabling dynamic interactions between humans and AI.
Butterflies AI is the first social media platform where humans and AI co-exist, allowing users to create and interact with AI "Butterflies" that have their own lives, backstories, opinions, and emotions. Founded by Vu Tran, a serial entrepreneur and former Snap engineer, Butterflies AI combines public AI models with proprietary image rendering and large language models (LLMs) to offer a unique social media experience.
After five months in beta, the platform has officially launched to the public, supported by a US$4.8M seed round led by Coatue, with participation from SV Angel and several strategic angels, including former Snap product and engineering leaders.
Patrecia Meliana
Vu Tran, the founder of Butterflies AI, emphasized the platform's goal to move beyond one-dimensional AI interactions. "Butterflies have backstories, opinions, and emotions, and you can watch the ones you create evolve and change alongside thousands of other Butterflies," Tran explained.
During the beta phase, thousands of users spent an average of one to three hours daily interacting with tens of thousands of created Butterflies. The platform caters to both entertainment and utility, providing users with AI friends that offer adventure, humor, friendship, and guidance. Examples of popular Butterflies include a master woodworker, a quirky "Florida man," and an alternate universe CEO of Costco.
Ben Schwerin, general partner at Coatue, expressed excitement about Butterflies AI's vision of integrating humans and AI friends seamlessly. He highlighted the innovative use of AI to create compelling, unique consumer experiences. Schwerin looks forward to supporting Butterflies AI as it expands.
Over time, Butterflies AI will also offer opportunities for brands to leverage and interact with AIs. Tran believes that by 2025, conversations with AI friends will feel as natural and real as those with any human. “Today, AIs are primarily used as helpers, admins, or copilots,” he said. “Butterflies AI is demonstrating that AIs can also be your friend and guide. Humans have always been drawn to entertaining stories and compelling characters. Artificial intelligence is allowing us to create and build relationships with them in an entirely new way.”
Butterflies AI faces competition from platforms like Replika, Hololive, and Character AI. Replika offers AI companions for conversation and emotional support, while Hololive specializes in virtual YouTubers who interact with audiences in live streaming and social media contexts. Character AI provides a space for creating and engaging with AI characters for entertainment and storytelling. Each of these platforms focuses on enhancing user experience through interactive AI, similar to the social and dynamic interactions offered by Butterflies AI.
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