Manifest: Startup App To Help With Loneliness

Manifest is an AI startup app founded by Amy Wu, aimed at easing the loneliness epidemic. While the app does not intend to replace mental health facilities and services, it wants its users to feel less alone.

When users open this wellness app, they can tap on the orb in the middle of the screen. Tapping or holding on to the orB allows them to talk to the AI. The app then mimics the user’s speech patterns and provides affirmations to whatever the user typed out. The users can then use these affirmations as audio for meditation purposes.

Wu says that Manifest works as a wellness app because it makes wellness easy and convenient. Using technology when someone is not in the best place might not be the best place to start but it is a reality that most people go through. People scroll through their phones just to escape so why not use a wellness app while on the phone?

Manifest: More features of this app

This startup launched earlier this year and it has since generated over 18 million manifestations on the platform. Since it’s a fairly new startup, the company has not raised around $3.4 million through a seed stage.

Wu has stated that the app has a few safeguards to help prevent something dangerous from happening. For instance, the app’s AI directs users to a suicide hotline if the user mentions or talks about self-harm. However, the app has certain topics that it refuses to talk about with the users.

The app goes through the usual challenges that come with being a mental health app since it has no actual medical backing behind the app. Furthermore, Wu says that she does not think people should be going to Manifest in the case of dire medical attention. However, due to the inaccessibility of medical care, young people often turn to these apps.

Suggested:

Pinnit: A Startup App For Managing Notifications

Karo: A To-Do Lists And Planner Startup App

Image Credits: Screenshot Taken From Manifest App