What happens after the photo reveal

Eighty percent.

That is the number Tanvi Gupta kept coming back to when she sat down with the CEO.com Podcast on September 21, 2022. On SwoonMe, the dating app she founded, two people meet as avatars and talk only by voice. At some point they decide to show each other their actual faces. Gupta expected that moment to end many conversations. It did not. Roughly four out of five pairs kept talking after they saw the pictures.

She had built a product around a hunch that people would rather be heard than looked at. The reveal was the test. "I don't like what you look like, so let's stop this conversation" was the outcome she braced for. Most of the time it did not happen.

The hunch came from her own phone. In her early twenties, Gupta was in New York, working in risk and anti-money-laundering roles at Citigroup and then Morgan Stanley, single, and running eight or nine dating apps at once. She wanted a long-term relationship, so she was maximizing her odds the way an analyst would. What she got was a lot of attention from men reacting to a photo, a few flat text exchanges, and dates with strangers she knew nothing about. "There was no context behind those conversations," she said. "We didn't know each other."

Tinder lasted a day. Within hours, men within five miles of her were sending her pornographic photos, and she caught herself wondering whether any of them knew who she was or where she lived. She deleted it. A decade later, she still talked about that day as if it were recent.

She left banking for consulting, then in 2018 landed at Facebook as a product specialist on Messenger and Instagram Direct. That is where she learned how consumer social products get shipped, and where, watching Mark Zuckerberg run internal Q&As, she decided she could build something herself. She left in March 2021 and started SwoonMe with her brother, Rishabh Gupta, who is co-founder and chief technology officer.

The product is simple to describe. You take one selfie. The app turns it into an avatar. You can give it green hair, glasses, or makeup you don't wear, and that avatar is you on the platform. Then you record an introduction in your own voice. If someone likes what they hear, the only way to reach you is to leave a voicemail. No texts, no photos, no swiping through a stack of faces. Games and icebreakers require you to record something about yourself. Only when both people are ready do the avatars come down.

"Voice can tell so much about a person, their personality, their mental, emotional, social level, what they're about," Gupta said. "That's why podcasting has taken off, radio, music. It just feels like we know these people when we hear somebody talk."

She was not the only one who had noticed. Hinge added 30-second Voice Prompts in October 2021, citing its own survey in which 65 percent of users said hearing someone's voice would help them decide whether they were interested. Bumble and Happn had voice notes, and a small app called String let people communicate only by voice memo. Hinge rolled out video prompts the day before this conversation was recorded. And SwoonMe launched into the same 18 months that produced Clubhouse, Meta's rebrand, and a wave of audio and avatar startups, most of which did not survive the year the interview took place. Voice as a feature was already everywhere. Voice as the whole product, with the photo held back, was the bet nobody else had made.

The design has a side effect Gupta likes. On a text-based app, one user can message every woman on the platform in an afternoon. On SwoonMe, he would have to record a voicemail for each of them. "Are you going to record a different audio message for, or even just one audio message for 50 different women?" she asked. "Nobody has that time." Saying something cruel out loud, in a voice that identifies you, is also harder than typing it. She did not build a spam filter. She made spam expensive.

Gupta pointed to a New York Times story by Catherine Pearson, published three weeks before the recording and pegged to Tinder's tenth anniversary, about long-term app users who said a decade of swiping had worn down their mental health. She read it as confirmation. The thing she felt in New York now had a name in the paper of record.

The early numbers were small but real. Users in the United States were spending about 40 minutes a day in the app, most of it dressing up avatars and leaving voicemails. The company had raised a $200,000 seed round after its July 2021 prototype, with Goodwater Capital among its investors, launched in the United States and India, and reached roughly 100,000 downloads. It had run a live audio-only dating show with the streaming platform Spoon. At the time of the recording, Gupta was raising a $1.5 million second seed round and had 20 percent of it committed.

There was no revenue yet. The plan was virtual goods rather than ads: paid stickers that put two avatars together on an imagined date, branded clothing and accessories, virtual flowers to send a match, ticketed events. NFTs and a SwoonMe coin were on a later list, and Gupta was in no hurry to get to them while that market sorted itself out. She had also sent Zuckerberg a direct message on Instagram asking him to invest. He had not written back.

Asked what she hoped the company would do in the world, Gupta skipped the market-size answer. "I think we are in a mental health crisis right now, especially when it comes to teens," she said. She wanted a place where young people could express themselves and meet each other without being judged on a few pictures, and without giving up their privacy to do it. "If we can make that happen, I will be a very, very happy person."

She had already said dating was the opening move, not the destination. The plan was a social network where an avatar and a voice are how you show up. That is roughly what happened. On August 30, 2023, Tanvi and Rishabh Gupta launched vvibe, a social app that combines avatars, voice, and generative AI to connect people regardless of how they look. Tanvi's LinkedIn now lists her as founder and CEO of vvibe, and PitchBook records vvibe as formerly known as SwoonMe, with FoxHog Ventures and Goodwater Capital as investors. Whether the 80 percent holds up at that scale is the question the next few years will answer.

00:00:00 Introducing Tanvi Gupta and SwoonMe
00:01:12 Personal Dating App Frustrations
00:05:57 How SwoonMe's Avatar and Voice Experience Works
00:08:00 Building Connection Through Voice Messages
00:09:41 Future Features: Video Calls and Interest Rooms
00:10:46 Reducing Spam and Restoring Humanity Online
00:12:54 User Engagement and Early Results
00:14:40 Fundraising and Growth Milestones
00:15:14 Thoughts on Meta and the Metaverse's Future
00:18:13 Expanding SwoonMe Beyond Dating
00:19:29 Monetization Through Virtual Goods
00:21:03 Considering NFTs and Cryptocurrency
00:22:00 Tanvi's Vision for Mental Health Impact

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So,<00:03:41.582> so<00:03:41.679> that's—.

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So<00:03:41.904> you<00:03:41.936> felt<00:03:42.177> like<00:03:42.707> it<00:03:42.803> was<00:03:42.900> setting<00:03:43.365> you<00:03:43.606> up<00:03:43.911> kind<00:03:44.152> of<00:03:44.714> for<00:03:44.891> failure<00:03:45.373> before<00:03:45.775> you<00:03:45.935> even<00:03:46.337> got<00:03:46.738> to<00:03:46.899> the<00:03:47.059> date?

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That's<00:03:48.183> because,<00:03:48.745> because<00:03:49.146> what<00:03:49.451> is<00:03:49.628> getting<00:03:49.933> you<00:03:50.029> to<00:03:50.174> the<00:03:50.254> date<00:03:50.511> is<00:03:50.655> like<00:03:50.896> the<00:03:50.976> swiping,<00:03:51.795> it's<00:03:52.100> the<00:03:52.340> interactions,<00:03:53.159> it's,<00:03:53.464> it's<00:03:53.641> maybe<00:03:54.026> DMs,<00:03:54.604> which<00:03:54.764> sounds<00:03:55.165> like—<00:03:55.904> is<00:03:56.032> it<00:03:56.112> really<00:03:56.353> DMs<00:03:56.915> how<00:03:57.011> this<00:03:57.236> works?

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Yeah,<00:03:58.359> it<00:03:58.440> is,<00:03:58.696> it<00:03:58.841> is<00:03:58.953> DM.

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Okay,<00:03:59.740> that<00:04:00.221> sounds<00:04:00.542> creepy.

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Yeah,<00:04:02.131> it<00:04:02.292> is<00:04:02.532> on<00:04:02.629> its<00:04:02.773> own.

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Like<00:04:03.094> when<00:04:03.191> you—<00:04:03.415> when<00:04:03.576> I<00:04:03.736> hear<00:04:03.913> the<00:04:04.073> word<00:04:04.394> DM,<00:04:05.133> I'm<00:04:05.341> like,<00:04:05.855> ah,<00:04:05.999> that's<00:04:07.123> creepy.

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Just<00:04:08.166> that.

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Yeah,<00:04:10.237> well,<00:04:10.413> I<00:04:10.558> mean,<00:04:10.734> it's<00:04:10.959> not—<00:04:11.296> that's<00:04:11.569> not<00:04:11.777> even<00:04:12.018> the<00:04:12.179> bad<00:04:12.484> part.

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I<00:04:12.917> think<00:04:13.062> the<00:04:13.142> worst<00:04:13.543> part<00:04:13.848> was<00:04:14.105> when<00:04:14.330> you<00:04:14.506> get<00:04:14.811> like,<00:04:15.533> um,<00:04:16.336> pornographic<00:04:17.154> photos<00:04:17.795> from<00:04:17.956> guys.

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Yeah.

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I<00:04:20.619> was<00:04:20.859> on<00:04:21.004> Tinder<00:04:21.308> for<00:04:21.549> one<00:04:21.806> day,<00:04:22.447> really.

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And<00:04:25.559> I<00:04:25.736> got<00:04:25.976> so<00:04:26.297> afraid<00:04:27.420> that,<00:04:27.965> you<00:04:27.997> know,<00:04:28.382> people<00:04:28.864> in<00:04:29.024> my<00:04:29.329> area,<00:04:29.746> like<00:04:29.986> 5<00:04:30.307> miles<00:04:30.628> away<00:04:30.869> from<00:04:31.109> me,<00:04:31.334> are<00:04:31.430> sending<00:04:31.911> me<00:04:32.056> these<00:04:32.377> photos.

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Like,<00:04:34.061> I<00:04:34.141> wonder<00:04:34.462> who<00:04:34.558> they<00:04:34.719> know.

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Like,<00:04:35.521> do<00:04:35.665> they<00:04:35.761> know<00:04:36.066> who<00:04:36.226> I<00:04:36.483> am?

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So<00:04:36.788> it<00:04:36.884> just<00:04:37.109> kind<00:04:37.301> of<00:04:37.365> like<00:04:37.750> really,<00:04:38.488> like,<00:04:38.713> I<00:04:38.809> got<00:04:39.050> scared.

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I<00:04:39.868> quickly<00:04:40.333> deleted<00:04:40.750> the<00:04:40.894> app.

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I<00:04:41.279> was<00:04:41.456> like,<00:04:41.776> oh<00:04:41.841> my<00:04:41.937> God,<00:04:42.258> I<00:04:42.274> need<00:04:42.498> to<00:04:42.579> get<00:04:42.723> out<00:04:42.899> of<00:04:42.964> this.

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What<00:04:44.022> am<00:04:44.086> I<00:04:44.166> getting<00:04:44.423> myself<00:04:44.840> into?

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And<00:04:45.785> I<00:04:45.930> think,<00:04:46.330> I<00:04:46.443> don't<00:04:46.747> know<00:04:46.843> if<00:04:46.923> you<00:04:47.004> saw<00:04:47.308> this<00:04:47.613> article<00:04:48.030> New<00:04:48.174> York<00:04:48.270> Times<00:04:48.671> recently<00:04:49.152> published,<00:04:49.777> which<00:04:49.953> is<00:04:50.113> like<00:04:50.835> a<00:04:50.995> decade<00:04:51.540> of<00:04:51.700> like<00:04:51.877> fruitless<00:04:52.374> searching,<00:04:54.121> like<00:04:54.345> the<00:04:54.442> toll<00:04:54.826> of<00:04:54.987> dating<00:04:55.403> app<00:04:55.644> burnout.

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It's<00:04:56.285> basically<00:04:56.830> about<00:04:57.087> Tinder<00:04:57.792> and<00:04:57.872> the<00:04:57.952> mental<00:04:58.433> health<00:04:58.834> impact<00:05:00.212> that<00:05:00.437> young<00:05:00.757> people<00:05:01.158> have<00:05:01.415> been<00:05:01.575> feeling<00:05:01.976> for<00:05:02.200> a<00:05:02.280> while<00:05:02.761> because<00:05:03.258> of<00:05:03.338> swiping<00:05:03.883> left<00:05:04.156> and<00:05:04.316> right<00:05:04.541> and<00:05:04.685> feeling<00:05:05.102> this<00:05:05.342> pressure.

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So<00:05:06.304> it's<00:05:06.464> not<00:05:06.689> that<00:05:07.025> I'm<00:05:07.202> the<00:05:07.266> only<00:05:07.731> one.

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I<00:05:08.388> mean,<00:05:08.628> mainstream<00:05:09.654> media<00:05:10.071> is<00:05:10.151> talking<00:05:10.648> about<00:05:11.113> it<00:05:11.594> and<00:05:11.754> we<00:05:11.914> know,<00:05:12.540> you<00:05:12.636> know,<00:05:12.956> the<00:05:13.357> impact<00:05:13.838> social<00:05:14.383> media<00:05:14.784> like<00:05:15.104> Instagram<00:05:16.565> TikTok<00:05:17.046> has<00:05:17.994> on<00:05:18.235> like<00:05:18.973> the<00:05:19.054> mental<00:05:20.162> health<00:05:20.419> of<00:05:20.643> young<00:05:20.900> people.

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Yeah,<00:05:22.249> I<00:05:22.345> can't<00:05:22.731> even<00:05:22.907> imagine.

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I<00:05:23.550> just<00:05:23.791> feel<00:05:24.031> like<00:05:25.798> we<00:05:25.958> don't<00:05:26.360> do<00:05:26.585> a<00:05:26.681> lot<00:05:27.227> of<00:05:27.484> real-world<00:05:29.009> connections<00:05:29.652> anymore,<00:05:30.519> or<00:05:31.322> meaningful<00:05:31.819> connections<00:05:32.301> is<00:05:32.381> maybe<00:05:32.606> even<00:05:32.719> a<00:05:32.767> little<00:05:32.927> bit<00:05:33.024> better<00:05:33.184> because<00:05:33.425> the<00:05:33.489> internet's<00:05:33.843> becoming<00:05:34.292> the<00:05:34.372> real<00:05:34.629> world,<00:05:34.951> right?

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But<00:05:36.637> meaningful<00:05:37.199> connections.

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And<00:05:37.825> what<00:05:37.985> Swoon.me<00:05:38.467> does<00:05:39.912> is<00:05:40.089> it<00:05:40.169> starts<00:05:40.555> to—<00:05:40.715> you<00:05:40.812> start<00:05:41.068> to<00:05:41.293> build<00:05:41.936> meaningful<00:05:42.498> connections<00:05:43.060> before<00:05:43.525> you<00:05:43.846> even<00:05:44.264> get<00:05:44.505> to<00:05:44.665> any<00:05:44.826> of<00:05:44.906> this<00:05:45.067> sort<00:05:45.388> of<00:05:45.468> pic<00:05:45.725> swap.

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DM<00:05:48.515> type<00:05:48.836> of<00:05:48.916> stuff.

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Tell<00:05:49.638> people<00:05:50.022> what,<00:05:50.439> like,<00:05:50.904> what<00:05:51.016> Swoon.me,<00:05:52.026> uh,<00:05:52.763> the<00:05:52.908> way<00:05:53.228> you<00:05:53.341> interact<00:05:53.886> on<00:05:54.046> this<00:05:54.270> app<00:05:55.248> and<00:05:55.633> why<00:05:55.905> it's<00:05:56.034> so<00:05:56.370> different.

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Sure.

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Um,<00:05:58.631> so<00:05:58.791> Swoon.me<00:05:59.416> is<00:05:59.640> building<00:06:00.201> the<00:06:00.362> first<00:06:00.634> solid<00:06:01.179> application<00:06:02.045> for<00:06:02.285> avatars,<00:06:03.327> um,<00:06:03.568> and<00:06:03.728> metaverse<00:06:04.305> outside<00:06:04.850> of<00:06:05.347> gaming<00:06:06.373> and<00:06:06.549> dating<00:06:06.950> using<00:06:07.495> avatars<00:06:08.072> and<00:06:08.233> voice.

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That's<00:06:08.874> what<00:06:08.954> Swoon.me<00:06:09.435> is.

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It<00:06:09.916> means<00:06:10.220> that<00:06:10.381> we're<00:06:10.477> connecting<00:06:11.342> users<00:06:11.919> based<00:06:12.224> on<00:06:12.320> shared<00:06:12.785> ideologies<00:06:13.747> and<00:06:13.907> personality.

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Um,<00:06:15.542> so<00:06:15.767> what<00:06:16.071> avatars<00:06:16.729> do<00:06:17.370> is<00:06:17.594> they<00:06:17.851> allow<00:06:18.332> users<00:06:18.877> to<00:06:19.117> express<00:06:19.679> their<00:06:19.791> experience,<00:06:20.577> appearance,<00:06:21.234> appearance<00:06:22.261> without<00:06:22.806> sacrificing<00:06:23.624> their<00:06:23.848> privacy<00:06:24.650> and<00:06:24.746> getting<00:06:25.211> judged<00:06:25.628> on<00:06:25.725> a<00:06:25.853> basis<00:06:26.254> of<00:06:26.286> few<00:06:26.671> pictures.

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So<00:06:28.018> you<00:06:28.114> can<00:06:28.275> think<00:06:28.515> of<00:06:28.675> it<00:06:28.820> as<00:06:29.221> like<00:06:29.622> metaverse<00:06:30.263> playground<00:06:30.857> for<00:06:31.049> meaningful<00:06:31.642> connections.

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And<00:06:32.877> our<00:06:33.086> long-term<00:06:33.888> goal<00:06:34.353> is<00:06:34.449> to<00:06:34.673> go<00:06:34.850> beyond<00:06:35.331> dating<00:06:36.133> and<00:06:36.293> build<00:06:36.518> a<00:06:36.614> platform<00:06:37.416> where<00:06:37.656> users<00:06:38.218> can<00:06:38.618> connect<00:06:39.885> with<00:06:40.126> avatars<00:06:40.623> being<00:06:40.864> their<00:06:41.024> primary<00:06:41.665> medium<00:06:41.906> of<00:06:42.066> identity<00:06:42.628> plus<00:06:43.093> voice.

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So<00:06:43.654> the<00:06:44.055> whole<00:06:44.328> The<00:06:44.376> whole<00:06:44.456> experience<00:06:44.969> on<00:06:45.049> SoonMe<00:06:45.818> is<00:06:46.219> optimized<00:06:47.420> with<00:06:47.597> like<00:06:47.917> voice<00:06:48.462> in<00:06:48.558> mind.

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You,<00:06:50.145> even<00:06:50.385> though<00:06:50.561> we<00:06:50.705> have<00:06:51.186> avatars<00:06:51.683> being<00:06:51.939> a<00:06:52.084> huge<00:06:52.484> component<00:06:53.926> of<00:06:54.071> the<00:06:54.423> experience,<00:06:55.673> users<00:06:56.154> have<00:06:56.394> to<00:06:56.571> come<00:06:56.907> in<00:06:57.436> and<00:06:57.772> introduce<00:06:58.478> themselves<00:06:59.439> with<00:06:59.615> their<00:07:00.016> own<00:07:00.176> voice.

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They<00:07:00.817> have<00:07:01.074> to<00:07:01.202> send<00:07:01.682> audio<00:07:02.019> messages<00:07:02.580> to<00:07:02.820> each<00:07:02.980> other.

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If<00:07:03.445> they're<00:07:03.621> playing<00:07:03.942> games,<00:07:04.583> they<00:07:04.711> have<00:07:04.887> to<00:07:05.048> record,<00:07:06.169> you<00:07:06.266> know,<00:07:06.586> things<00:07:06.923> about<00:07:07.147> themselves<00:07:07.948> while<00:07:08.205> they're<00:07:08.413> getting<00:07:08.669> to<00:07:08.830> know<00:07:09.214> each<00:07:09.390> other.

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So<00:07:10.657> it's<00:07:10.914> like<00:07:11.942> when<00:07:12.102> you<00:07:12.343> add<00:07:12.664> voice<00:07:13.242> to<00:07:13.403> that<00:07:13.644> whole<00:07:13.949> experience,<00:07:14.784> it's<00:07:15.008> just,<00:07:16.293> it<00:07:16.453> just<00:07:16.678> like<00:07:16.919> makes<00:07:17.256> the<00:07:17.401> experience<00:07:18.219> so<00:07:18.460> much<00:07:19.022> different<00:07:19.568> than<00:07:19.745> what<00:07:20.050> we<00:07:20.210> have<00:07:20.451> right<00:07:20.708> now.

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It<00:07:21.575> adds<00:07:21.767> so<00:07:22.073> much<00:07:22.233> about<00:07:22.458> a,<00:07:22.634> like<00:07:22.940> voice<00:07:23.212> can<00:07:23.357> tell<00:07:23.534> so<00:07:23.919> much<00:07:24.160> about<00:07:24.384> a<00:07:24.545> person,<00:07:24.882> their<00:07:25.043> personality,<00:07:26.472> their<00:07:26.969> mental,<00:07:27.788> emotional,<00:07:28.511> social<00:07:29.522> level,<00:07:29.859> like<00:07:30.325> what<00:07:30.501> they're<00:07:30.726> about,<00:07:31.449> right?

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That's<00:07:31.946> why<00:07:32.107> podcasting<00:07:33.054> is<00:07:33.150> so,<00:07:34.371> has<00:07:34.611> taken<00:07:34.997> off<00:07:35.559> radio<00:07:36.426> music.

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It<00:07:37.244> just<00:07:37.550> like<00:07:37.710> feels<00:07:38.127> like<00:07:38.368> we're,<00:07:38.930> we're,<00:07:39.412> We<00:07:39.572> know<00:07:39.974> these<00:07:40.215> people<00:07:40.536> when<00:07:40.777> we<00:07:40.857> hear<00:07:41.114> somebody<00:07:41.644> talk.

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So<00:07:42.366> if<00:07:42.447> you<00:07:42.607> ever<00:07:42.864> get<00:07:43.105> to<00:07:43.426> download<00:07:43.908> Soonmio,<00:07:44.357> or<00:07:44.389> if<00:07:44.855> you<00:07:44.935> know,<00:07:45.096> people<00:07:45.433> do,<00:07:45.754> you'll,<00:07:46.140> you'll<00:07:46.316> just<00:07:46.477> be<00:07:46.557> like,<00:07:46.782> oh<00:07:46.878> my<00:07:46.959> God,<00:07:47.280> this<00:07:47.504> feels<00:07:47.633> so<00:07:47.922> familiar.

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I<00:07:48.420> know<00:07:48.709> this<00:07:48.885> person<00:07:49.287> already.

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It's<00:07:50.154> just<00:07:50.314> such<00:07:50.491> an<00:07:50.587> intimate<00:07:50.973> experience,<00:07:51.920> which<00:07:52.081> is<00:07:52.113> so<00:07:52.337> different<00:07:52.723> than<00:07:53.301> what<00:07:53.526> we<00:07:53.686> have<00:07:53.863> right<00:07:54.088> now.

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Yeah.

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You're<00:07:55.292> really<00:07:55.613> bringing<00:07:56.014> podcasting<00:07:57.138> to<00:07:57.476> dating.

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Yeah.

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Yes.

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Which,<00:07:59.563> which<00:07:59.804> I<00:07:59.884> think<00:08:00.109> is<00:08:00.205> incredible.

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So<00:08:00.847> it<00:08:00.912> starts<00:08:01.313> out<00:08:02.052> like,<00:08:02.517> uh,<00:08:02.919> with<00:08:03.176> these<00:08:03.481> audio<00:08:03.818> messages.

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Correct.

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So<00:08:05.729> you<00:08:05.986> like,<00:08:06.291> all<00:08:06.628> right,<00:08:06.853> I<00:08:06.933> wanna<00:08:07.094> talk<00:08:07.271> to<00:08:07.335> this<00:08:07.512> person.

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I'm<00:08:08.170> gonna<00:08:08.315> send<00:08:08.555> him<00:08:08.652> an<00:08:08.780> audio<00:08:09.053> message.

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And<00:08:09.664> then<00:08:09.840> you<00:08:09.985> probably<00:08:10.547> are<00:08:10.643> really<00:08:10.884> thinking<00:08:11.109> that<00:08:11.511> if,<00:08:11.751> if<00:08:11.864> it<00:08:12.169> were,<00:08:12.330> if<00:08:12.490> it<00:08:12.571> were<00:08:12.699> me<00:08:13.631> sending<00:08:14.016> an<00:08:14.080> audio<00:08:14.353> message,<00:08:14.803> I<00:08:14.883> would<00:08:14.980> like<00:08:15.156> script<00:08:15.477> it<00:08:15.606> out<00:08:16.505> and<00:08:16.586> probably<00:08:16.987> practice<00:08:17.405> a<00:08:17.469> few<00:08:17.630> times,<00:08:18.015> honestly.

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Uh,<00:08:19.220> but,<00:08:19.541> uh,<00:08:19.894> so<00:08:20.103> you<00:08:20.199> send<00:08:20.520> this<00:08:20.745> message<00:08:21.243> and<00:08:21.307> then<00:08:21.468> they<00:08:21.580> send<00:08:21.821> it<00:08:21.886> back<00:08:22.191> and<00:08:22.287> you<00:08:22.367> start<00:08:22.689> sending<00:08:23.170> these,<00:08:23.716> uh,<00:08:23.813> voice<00:08:24.214> messages<00:08:25.483> and<00:08:25.547> you're<00:08:25.644> starting<00:08:25.901> to<00:08:25.981> build<00:08:26.238> a<00:08:26.302> connection<00:08:26.928> just<00:08:27.185> based<00:08:27.571> off<00:08:27.764> of<00:08:27.908> personality,<00:08:29.739> um,<00:08:30.140> interests<00:08:31.265> and<00:08:31.586> ability<00:08:32.020> to<00:08:32.164> carry<00:08:32.469> on<00:08:32.566> a<00:08:32.630> conversation<00:08:33.192> with<00:08:33.288> this<00:08:33.449> person.

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And<00:08:34.492> then<00:08:34.636> you're<00:08:34.733> gonna<00:08:34.957> add<00:08:35.133> these<00:08:35.374> features,<00:08:36.400> I<00:08:36.496> assume,<00:08:37.201> like<00:08:37.458> where,<00:08:37.714> like<00:08:38.019> they<00:08:38.163> can<00:08:38.259> do<00:08:38.500> live<00:08:38.884> audio<00:08:39.285> calls<00:08:39.766> with<00:08:39.926> each<00:08:40.167> other.

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Yes.

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So<00:08:42.668> right<00:08:42.908> now<00:08:43.213> we're<00:08:43.309> building<00:08:43.709> experiences<00:08:44.575> where<00:08:45.313> we<00:08:45.617> want<00:08:46.018> you<00:08:46.114> to<00:08:46.274> be<00:08:46.419> present<00:08:47.797> with<00:08:48.038> other<00:08:48.342> people<00:08:48.983> on<00:08:49.096> your<00:08:49.304> phone<00:08:49.721> in<00:08:49.881> real<00:08:50.202> time.

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You<00:08:51.035> know,<00:08:51.099> the<00:08:51.244> feeling<00:08:51.725> of<00:08:51.805> being<00:08:52.109> present,<00:08:52.670> like<00:08:53.151> you<00:08:53.392> and<00:08:53.472> I<00:08:53.712> are<00:08:53.792> hanging<00:08:54.129> out<00:08:54.289> in<00:08:54.386> a<00:08:54.450> bar<00:08:55.235> in<00:08:55.395> like,<00:08:55.732> you<00:08:55.812> know,<00:08:55.973> at<00:08:56.453> work,<00:08:56.918> but<00:08:57.079> on<00:08:57.255> your<00:08:57.479> phone<00:08:58.281> because<00:08:58.858> we<00:08:59.018> know<00:08:59.243> we<00:08:59.403> all<00:08:59.579> have<00:08:59.724> very<00:09:00.044> busy<00:09:00.365> lives<00:09:00.862> and<00:09:00.958> our<00:09:01.102> target<00:09:01.487> demographic,<00:09:02.144> Gen<00:09:02.449> Zs,<00:09:02.769> they're<00:09:02.962> social,<00:09:03.651> they're<00:09:03.907> like<00:09:04.084> digital<00:09:04.549> natives.

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So<00:09:05.511> they<00:09:05.735> want<00:09:06.072> everything<00:09:06.392> on<00:09:06.473> their<00:09:06.617> phone.

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And<00:09:07.515> there<00:09:07.692> is<00:09:07.836> this<00:09:07.996> problem<00:09:09.296> of<00:09:09.504> isolation<00:09:10.483> that<00:09:10.707> we<00:09:10.803> need<00:09:11.028> to<00:09:11.124> solve,<00:09:12.071> which<00:09:12.247> is<00:09:12.407> not<00:09:12.648> going<00:09:12.953> to<00:09:13.049> be<00:09:13.145> solved<00:09:14.011> by<00:09:14.316> asynchronous<00:09:16.081> communications,<00:09:17.043> like<00:09:17.236> sending<00:09:17.781> each<00:09:17.941> other<00:09:18.182> passive<00:09:18.663> text<00:09:18.984> messages,<00:09:19.577> because<00:09:19.930> that<00:09:20.251> doesn't<00:09:20.572> feel<00:09:20.909> like<00:09:21.229> very,<00:09:21.630> like,<00:09:22.112> lively<00:09:22.673> experience.

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That<00:09:23.299> doesn't<00:09:23.619> feel<00:09:23.796> very<00:09:24.117> personal<00:09:24.694> or<00:09:24.919> intimate.

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So<00:09:26.523> what<00:09:26.747> you<00:09:26.908> can<00:09:27.164> do<00:09:27.806> very<00:09:28.063> soon<00:09:28.383> on<00:09:28.512> Soon.me<00:09:29.234> is<00:09:30.052> jump<00:09:30.453> on<00:09:30.613> an<00:09:31.078> avatar<00:09:31.559> video<00:09:31.960> call<00:09:32.281> with<00:09:32.458> another<00:09:32.843> person<00:09:33.260> without<00:09:34.142> yourself.

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So<00:09:35.909> you<00:09:36.070> can,<00:09:36.713> you<00:09:36.793> know,<00:09:36.954> talk<00:09:37.356> to<00:09:37.581> anybody,<00:09:38.223> like<00:09:38.400> you<00:09:38.561> can<00:09:39.589> play<00:09:39.926> games<00:09:40.328> with<00:09:40.553> them<00:09:41.276> and<00:09:42.562> just<00:09:42.803> like<00:09:43.044> build<00:09:43.381> context<00:09:44.088> to<00:09:44.201> a<00:09:44.265> relationship<00:09:45.374> before<00:09:45.775> you<00:09:45.952> even<00:09:46.193> decide<00:09:46.659> to<00:09:46.900> reveal<00:09:47.302> your<00:09:47.559> avatar<00:09:48.186> into<00:09:48.427> an<00:09:48.587> actual<00:09:49.069> photo.

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So,<00:09:50.451> and<00:09:50.612> pretty<00:09:50.869> soon<00:09:51.238> we<00:09:51.399> will<00:09:51.496> have<00:09:52.283> interest-based<00:09:53.568> rooms<00:09:54.050> on<00:09:54.243> SoonMe.

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What<00:09:54.870> that<00:09:55.111> means<00:09:55.352> is,<00:09:55.496> let's<00:09:55.673> say<00:09:55.850> if<00:09:56.059> I<00:09:56.139> like<00:09:56.541> wine<00:09:57.505> or<00:09:57.746> I<00:09:57.826> like<00:09:58.083> hiking,<00:09:58.710> there<00:09:58.871> will<00:09:59.048> be<00:09:59.289> rooms<00:10:00.494> that<00:10:00.718> you—<00:10:00.975> I<00:10:01.120> can<00:10:01.297> go<00:10:01.522> and<00:10:01.682> join<00:10:02.036> and<00:10:02.180> talk<00:10:02.517> to<00:10:02.678> other<00:10:02.967> people.

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And<00:10:03.626> depending<00:10:04.092> on<00:10:04.252> who<00:10:04.413> I<00:10:04.445> connect<00:10:04.975> with,<00:10:05.714> I<00:10:05.794> can<00:10:06.019> jump<00:10:06.276> into<00:10:06.517> like<00:10:06.742> a<00:10:06.838> one-on-one<00:10:07.401> interaction<00:10:08.107> with<00:10:08.268> them.

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And<00:10:09.971> without,<00:10:10.436> like,<00:10:10.693> again,<00:10:11.095> without<00:10:11.400> this<00:10:11.882> pressure<00:10:12.300> of<00:10:12.460> like,<00:10:12.701> oh,<00:10:13.006> how<00:10:13.103> does<00:10:13.328> this<00:10:13.424> person<00:10:13.810> look<00:10:14.051> like?

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That<00:10:14.308> kind<00:10:14.613> of<00:10:14.693> thing,<00:10:14.934> you<00:10:15.046> know?

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So—.

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And<00:10:16.540> I<00:10:16.637> imagine<00:10:17.038> it's<00:10:17.263> less<00:10:17.472> spammy<00:10:17.857> because<00:10:19.753> you<00:10:19.833> probably<00:10:20.090> get<00:10:20.251> a<00:10:20.331> lot<00:10:20.572> of<00:10:20.604> spam<00:10:21.134> on<00:10:21.295> the<00:10:21.456> Tinders,<00:10:22.243> Bumbles.

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I<00:10:23.142> don't<00:10:23.367> know<00:10:23.544> anything.

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I<00:10:24.283> don't<00:10:24.491> want<00:10:24.572> to<00:10:24.668> disparage<00:10:25.295> these<00:10:25.455> companies.

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I've<00:10:26.114> never<00:10:26.274> been<00:10:26.435> on<00:10:26.580> them,<00:10:26.676> but<00:10:26.981> I<00:10:27.078> met—<00:10:27.383> I've<00:10:27.640> heard<00:10:28.506> And<00:10:28.587> I<00:10:28.683> imagine<00:10:29.228> that<00:10:29.389> they're,<00:10:29.629> they're<00:10:29.725> pretty<00:10:29.966> spammy.

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And<00:10:31.008> also<00:10:31.265> like<00:10:31.955> when<00:10:32.067> you're<00:10:32.211> texting<00:10:32.548> someone,<00:10:32.789> it's<00:10:32.997> almost<00:10:33.334> like<00:10:33.478> they're<00:10:33.575> not<00:10:33.639> even<00:10:33.879> like<00:10:34.040> a<00:10:34.120> real<00:10:34.376> person.

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So<00:10:34.938> even<00:10:35.114> if<00:10:35.259> it's<00:10:35.435> not<00:10:35.916> spammy,<00:10:37.263> you<00:10:37.408> can,<00:10:37.761> you<00:10:37.889> can<00:10:37.985> kind<00:10:38.161> of<00:10:38.210> like<00:10:38.370> send<00:10:38.851> things<00:10:39.092> to<00:10:39.188> them<00:10:39.268> and<00:10:39.412> you're<00:10:39.589> not<00:10:39.813> attaching<00:10:40.311> your<00:10:40.631> voice<00:10:41.257> or<00:10:42.075> identity<00:10:42.636> or<00:10:42.716> personality<00:10:43.438> behind<00:10:43.663> it.

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You're<00:10:43.919> kind<00:10:44.063> of<00:10:44.096> pretending<00:10:44.545> to<00:10:44.577> be<00:10:44.657> someone<00:10:45.042> else<00:10:45.282> at<00:10:45.363> that<00:10:45.523> point.

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And<00:10:46.325> so<00:10:46.630> are<00:10:46.870> you<00:10:46.982> noticing<00:10:47.448> that<00:10:47.608> this<00:10:47.848> is<00:10:48.089> helping<00:10:48.410> with<00:10:48.570> those<00:10:48.827> two<00:10:48.971> issues<00:10:49.292> with<00:10:49.436> the<00:10:49.533> spam<00:10:50.816> and<00:10:50.960> also<00:10:51.281> like<00:10:51.537> kind<00:10:51.698> of<00:10:51.778> just<00:10:52.099> the,<00:10:52.564> um,<00:10:54.007> we<00:10:54.168> really<00:10:54.344> don't<00:10:54.488> treat<00:10:54.665> people<00:10:55.066> like<00:10:55.451> actual<00:10:55.787> human<00:10:56.108> beings<00:10:56.349> online<00:10:56.766> most<00:10:57.070> of<00:10:57.151> the<00:10:57.183> time.

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Yeah,<00:10:58.097> we<00:10:58.273> don't.

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It's,<00:10:59.797> so<00:11:00.022> yeah,<00:11:00.278> I<00:11:00.358> mean,<00:11:00.439> sending<00:11:01.096> a<00:11:01.305> passive<00:11:01.898> text<00:11:03.069> or<00:11:03.181> saying<00:11:03.647> something<00:11:04.144> mean<00:11:04.689> in<00:11:04.833> a<00:11:04.850> text<00:11:05.555> is<00:11:05.716> a<00:11:05.892> lot<00:11:06.437> easier<00:11:07.416> than<00:11:08.314> saying<00:11:08.843> it<00:11:08.940> in<00:11:09.084> your<00:11:09.341> own<00:11:09.437> voice.

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One,<00:11:10.608> it<00:11:10.864> kind<00:11:11.185> of<00:11:11.329> reveals<00:11:11.746> your<00:11:11.907> identity.

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Everyone's<00:11:14.473> voice<00:11:14.874> is<00:11:15.035> so<00:11:15.420> unique<00:11:16.077> to<00:11:16.221> that<00:11:16.542> person,<00:11:17.424> right?

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That's<00:11:18.066> why<00:11:18.339> they<00:11:18.547> hire<00:11:18.884> like<00:11:19.109> these<00:11:19.157> specific<00:11:19.991> actors<00:11:20.552> for<00:11:20.969> animated<00:11:21.547> movies<00:11:22.156> and<00:11:23.118> all<00:11:23.199> these<00:11:23.375> Pixar<00:11:23.760> movies<00:11:24.097> and<00:11:24.241> things<00:11:24.402> like<00:11:24.498> that,<00:11:24.658> because<00:11:25.043> everyone<00:11:25.444> has<00:11:25.605> a<00:11:25.685> unique<00:11:26.102> voice.

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So<00:11:28.412> to<00:11:28.589> spam<00:11:29.086> somebody,<00:11:29.696> you<00:11:29.856> have<00:11:30.177> to<00:11:30.337> put<00:11:30.514> in<00:11:30.690> a<00:11:30.835> lot<00:11:31.091> of<00:11:31.460> effort.

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So<00:11:32.600> I'm<00:11:33.338> a<00:11:33.466> guy.

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So<00:11:34.589> we<00:11:34.701> know<00:11:35.311> from<00:11:35.552> research<00:11:36.595> that,<00:11:37.974> you<00:11:38.071> know,<00:11:38.135> guys<00:11:38.391> are<00:11:38.456> the<00:11:38.600> worst.

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Sorry,<00:11:40.445> I<00:11:40.525> was<00:11:40.686> finishing<00:11:41.087> your<00:11:41.183> sentence,<00:11:41.664> but<00:11:42.771> I'm<00:11:43.189> not<00:11:43.349> going<00:11:43.461> to<00:11:43.525> say<00:11:43.830> that.

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I<00:11:44.376> am<00:11:44.472> not<00:11:44.793> biased<00:11:45.611> here.

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I<00:11:47.424> am,<00:11:48.066> you<00:11:48.178> know,<00:11:48.627> I'm<00:11:49.446> not<00:11:49.686> going<00:11:49.799> to<00:11:50.328> agree<00:11:50.649> on<00:11:50.793> bad<00:11:51.034> guys<00:11:51.355> are<00:11:51.387> the<00:11:51.435> worst.

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Of<00:11:51.612> course,<00:11:51.916> they,<00:11:52.317> you<00:11:52.398> know,<00:11:52.638> we're<00:11:52.975> good<00:11:53.200> guys.

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But<00:11:54.563> we<00:11:54.675> know<00:11:54.980> that<00:11:55.237> there<00:11:55.606> are<00:11:55.766> people<00:11:56.408> who<00:11:56.729> will<00:11:56.905> go<00:11:57.146> into<00:11:57.450> these<00:11:57.771> apps<00:11:58.589> and<00:11:58.750> then<00:11:59.295> send,<00:12:00.017> you<00:12:00.113> know,<00:12:00.434> text<00:12:00.755> messages<00:12:01.236> to<00:12:01.477> every<00:12:01.717> single<00:12:03.546> woman<00:12:04.043> on<00:12:04.123> the<00:12:04.268> platform.

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But<00:12:05.310> now<00:12:05.487> if<00:12:05.792> you<00:12:05.888> think<00:12:06.064> about<00:12:06.433> it,<00:12:06.754> if<00:12:06.915> the<00:12:07.091> only<00:12:07.492> way<00:12:07.813> you<00:12:07.973> can<00:12:08.214> make<00:12:08.535> the<00:12:08.615> first<00:12:08.936> connection<00:12:09.481> is<00:12:09.577> by<00:12:09.738> sending<00:12:10.299> an<00:12:10.524> audio<00:12:10.861> message,<00:12:12.625> are<00:12:12.866> you<00:12:13.090> going<00:12:13.347> to<00:12:13.507> record<00:12:14.069> a<00:12:14.229> different<00:12:14.694> audio<00:12:14.951> message<00:12:15.512> for<00:12:15.657> like,<00:12:15.978> or<00:12:16.074> even<00:12:16.395> just<00:12:16.780> one<00:12:17.100> audio<00:12:17.357> message<00:12:17.742> for<00:12:17.838> 50<00:12:18.304> different<00:12:18.640> women?

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I<00:12:19.684> think<00:12:19.909> you<00:12:20.085> just—<00:12:20.567> nobody<00:12:21.755> has<00:12:21.932> that<00:12:22.173> time<00:12:23.056> to<00:12:23.136> kind<00:12:23.714> of<00:12:24.020> record<00:12:24.983> like<00:12:25.144> that<00:12:25.369> spammy<00:12:25.866> messages<00:12:26.509> for<00:12:26.894> 50<00:12:27.151> different<00:12:27.472> people.

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It's<00:12:28.115> only—.

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You're<00:12:28.516> going<00:12:28.661> to<00:12:28.741> be<00:12:28.773> selective<00:12:29.881> because<00:12:30.202> we're<00:12:30.427> asking<00:12:30.780> so<00:12:31.021> much<00:12:31.391> out<00:12:31.567> of—<00:12:31.712> not<00:12:31.904> so<00:12:32.194> much,<00:12:32.450> but,<00:12:32.996> you<00:12:33.077> know,<00:12:33.237> we're<00:12:33.478> asking<00:12:33.960> a<00:12:33.976> little<00:12:34.217> bit<00:12:34.378> more<00:12:34.699> out<00:12:34.924> of<00:12:35.084> you<00:12:35.341> than<00:12:35.566> a<00:12:35.646> typical<00:12:36.449> dating<00:12:36.851> app<00:12:37.108> or<00:12:37.188> a<00:12:37.204> social<00:12:37.750> media<00:12:38.007> platform.

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It's<00:12:38.778> like<00:12:38.970> you<00:12:39.179> have<00:12:39.500> to<00:12:39.661> put<00:12:40.239> a<00:12:40.384> little<00:12:40.560> bit<00:12:40.785> of<00:12:40.881> yourself<00:12:41.588> out<00:12:41.829> there<00:12:42.487> if<00:12:42.632> you're<00:12:42.728> serious<00:12:43.387> about<00:12:43.676> finding<00:12:44.109> somebody.

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So,<00:12:45.201> yeah,<00:12:45.538> inherently<00:12:46.566> the<00:12:46.663> product<00:12:47.128> in<00:12:47.241> itself,<00:12:47.722> it's<00:12:47.947> built<00:12:48.204> in<00:12:48.333> a<00:12:48.413> way<00:12:48.734> that<00:12:49.232> you<00:12:49.376> just<00:12:49.953> cannot<00:12:50.418> spam,<00:12:50.898> you<00:12:50.978> know,<00:12:51.860> at<00:12:51.956> scale.

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What<00:12:53.558> have<00:12:53.783> the<00:12:53.863> results<00:12:54.344> been<00:12:54.456> so<00:12:54.680> far?

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What<00:12:55.161> feedback<00:12:55.578> are<00:12:55.642> you<00:12:55.866> getting<00:12:56.042> from<00:12:56.202> people<00:12:56.491> who<00:12:56.523> are<00:12:56.763> on<00:12:56.843> the<00:12:56.988> platform?

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Because<00:12:57.565> the<00:12:57.645> platform<00:12:58.061> already<00:12:58.286> has<00:12:58.462> a<00:12:58.590> decent<00:12:59.167> number<00:12:59.488> of<00:12:59.568> folks<00:12:59.824> on<00:12:59.968> it.

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Yes.

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So<00:13:02.116> we're<00:13:02.228> seeing<00:13:02.917> that,<00:13:03.398> we're<00:13:03.574> seeing<00:13:04.039> an<00:13:04.279> average<00:13:04.840> engagement<00:13:05.417> time<00:13:06.539> per<00:13:06.843> user<00:13:07.180> per<00:13:07.276> day<00:13:07.436> in<00:13:07.500> the<00:13:07.564> US<00:13:07.981> of<00:13:08.077> about<00:13:08.301> 40<00:13:08.622> minutes.

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And<00:13:10.288> we're<00:13:10.400> seeing<00:13:10.785> people<00:13:11.170> are<00:13:11.266> spending<00:13:11.682> a<00:13:11.811> lot<00:13:12.051> of<00:13:12.211> time<00:13:12.532> customizing<00:13:13.349> and<00:13:13.429> dressing<00:13:13.910> up<00:13:14.070> their<00:13:14.375> avatars.

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So<00:13:15.673> what<00:13:15.833> that<00:13:15.993> means<00:13:16.378> is<00:13:16.619> like,<00:13:17.035> you<00:13:17.115> know,<00:13:17.580> I<00:13:17.917> upload<00:13:18.302> a<00:13:18.334> selfie.

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That's<00:13:19.199> what<00:13:19.375> you<00:13:19.504> do<00:13:19.680> on<00:13:19.760> SoonMe,<00:13:20.241> upload<00:13:20.578> or<00:13:20.706> take<00:13:20.898> a<00:13:20.962> selfie.

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And<00:13:22.790> then<00:13:23.351> our<00:13:23.992> AI<00:13:24.232> generates<00:13:24.713> your<00:13:24.809> avatar<00:13:25.771> and<00:13:25.835> then<00:13:25.995> you<00:13:26.156> can<00:13:26.332> go<00:13:27.133> customize<00:13:27.758> it.

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If<00:13:27.999> I<00:13:28.175> feel<00:13:28.400> like<00:13:28.512> having<00:13:28.816> green<00:13:29.201> hair,<00:13:29.938> I<00:13:30.099> can<00:13:30.339> do<00:13:30.563> that.

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You<00:13:30.916> know,<00:13:31.044> I<00:13:31.124> want<00:13:31.221> to<00:13:31.301> put<00:13:31.461> on<00:13:31.605> glasses.

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I<00:13:32.198> don't<00:13:32.407> have<00:13:32.583> makeup<00:13:33.128> in<00:13:33.224> my<00:13:33.849> avatar.

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I<00:13:34.426> can<00:13:34.651> put<00:13:34.811> on<00:13:34.971> makeup.

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So<00:13:35.388> people<00:13:35.612> are<00:13:35.773> doing,<00:13:36.189> spending<00:13:36.526> a<00:13:36.590> lot<00:13:36.815> of<00:13:36.847> time<00:13:38.177> on<00:13:38.674> that.

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And<00:13:39.235> also<00:13:39.876> people<00:13:40.437> are<00:13:40.597> spending<00:13:41.303> sort<00:13:41.543> of<00:13:41.639> like<00:13:41.880> going<00:13:42.200> back<00:13:42.665> old<00:13:42.793> school.

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Like<00:13:43.868> one<00:13:44.028> of<00:13:44.108> our<00:13:44.284> most<00:13:44.846> popular<00:13:45.231> features<00:13:45.872> is<00:13:46.433> sending<00:13:46.850> voicemails.

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Like<00:13:48.213> if<00:13:48.438> I<00:13:48.630> see<00:13:48.935> your<00:13:49.240> intro<00:13:49.737> on<00:13:49.897> SoonMe,<00:13:50.619> I<00:13:50.939> really<00:13:51.324> like<00:13:51.645> what<00:13:51.805> you<00:13:51.966> have<00:13:52.142> to<00:13:52.238> say.

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So<00:13:53.345> I'm<00:13:53.569> gonna<00:13:53.746> send<00:13:54.002> you<00:13:54.066> a<00:13:54.147> voicemail<00:13:54.772> and<00:13:54.868> it's<00:13:55.029> like<00:13:55.205> an<00:13:55.430> immediate<00:13:56.071> knee-jerk<00:13:56.632> reaction.

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Like<00:13:58.332> for<00:13:58.476> me<00:13:58.717> to,<00:13:59.102> you<00:13:59.134> know,<00:13:59.278> me<00:13:59.503> wanting<00:13:59.839> to<00:13:59.936> start<00:14:00.160> a<00:14:00.240> conversation<00:14:01.026> with<00:14:01.203> you.

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So<00:14:02.405> those<00:14:02.710> are<00:14:02.742> like<00:14:02.966> the<00:14:03.127> two<00:14:03.448> very<00:14:03.832> popular<00:14:04.314> features<00:14:04.891> that<00:14:04.987> we,<00:14:05.628> experiences<00:14:06.414> that<00:14:06.639> we're<00:14:06.751> seeing<00:14:07.296> on<00:14:07.473> SoonMe.

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People<00:14:09.301> do<00:14:09.461> get<00:14:09.686> to<00:14:09.782> photo<00:14:10.167> reveal<00:14:10.503> stage<00:14:11.450> and<00:14:11.546> we're<00:14:11.706> seeing<00:14:12.251> that,<00:14:12.813> you<00:14:12.893> know,<00:14:14.417> Like<00:14:14.979> I,<00:14:15.301> it's<00:14:15.542> actually<00:14:15.879> the<00:14:16.120> metrics<00:14:16.666> are<00:14:16.747> higher<00:14:17.165> than<00:14:17.390> what<00:14:17.550> I<00:14:17.727> expected<00:14:18.354> is<00:14:18.530> that<00:14:18.691> people<00:14:19.012> continue<00:14:19.511> to<00:14:19.880> continue<00:14:20.234> talking<00:14:20.619> to<00:14:20.780> each<00:14:20.941> other<00:14:21.728> even<00:14:21.969> after<00:14:22.306> revealing<00:14:23.174> their<00:14:23.335> photos.

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So<00:14:23.833> it's<00:14:24.058> not<00:14:24.395> like<00:14:24.861> after<00:14:25.199> you<00:14:25.520> reveal<00:14:25.841> a<00:14:25.906> photo,<00:14:26.082> you're<00:14:26.243> like,<00:14:26.629> okay,<00:14:27.352> I'm<00:14:27.529> done<00:14:27.770> with<00:14:27.946> you.

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I<00:14:28.332> don't<00:14:28.573> like<00:14:28.975> what<00:14:29.119> you<00:14:29.216> look<00:14:29.441> like.

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So<00:14:29.842> let's<00:14:30.083> stop<00:14:30.324> this<00:14:30.485> conversation.

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Overwhelmingly,<00:14:32.429> like<00:14:32.831> there's<00:14:33.072> like<00:14:33.297> 80%<00:14:33.699> of<00:14:33.795> people<00:14:34.277> who<00:14:34.357> continue<00:14:34.679> talking<00:14:35.081> to<00:14:35.161> each<00:14:35.322> other<00:14:36.125> after<00:14:36.318> revealing<00:14:36.768> photos.

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Oh<00:14:37.491> wow.

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That's<00:14:38.294> cool.

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Yeah.

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Have<00:14:40.367> you<00:14:40.463> raised<00:14:40.704> money?

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We<00:14:42.472> have.

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So<00:14:44.626> we<00:14:44.803> raised<00:14:45.188> our<00:14:45.446> first<00:14:46.169> seed<00:14:46.490> round<00:14:46.876> last<00:14:47.358> year<00:14:47.840> after<00:14:48.178> we<00:14:48.403> launched<00:14:48.821> our<00:14:49.030> prototype<00:14:50.096> in<00:14:50.192> July.

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And<00:14:52.454> then<00:14:53.180> that<00:14:53.407> was<00:14:53.568> $200,000,<00:14:55.166> which<00:14:55.408> is<00:14:55.730> what,<00:14:56.133> you<00:14:56.165> know,<00:14:56.471> got<00:14:56.777> us<00:14:57.019> to<00:14:58.147> launch<00:14:58.726> in<00:14:58.888> multiple<00:14:59.371> countries.

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And<00:15:00.482> then<00:15:00.644> we<00:15:00.740> got<00:15:00.982> to<00:15:01.127> a<00:15:01.159> scale<00:15:01.610> of<00:15:01.787> about<00:15:02.126> 100,000<00:15:03.624> app<00:15:03.850> downloads.

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And<00:15:04.936> now<00:15:05.179> we're<00:15:05.406> raising<00:15:05.811> our<00:15:05.908> second<00:15:06.395> seed<00:15:06.719> round<00:15:07.205> of<00:15:07.432> $1.5<00:15:08.243> million,<00:15:08.729> of<00:15:08.891> which<00:15:09.150> 20%<00:15:09.799> has<00:15:09.847> been<00:15:11.682> committed.

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Oh,<00:15:12.483> that's<00:15:13.510> cool.

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And,<00:15:14.873> uh,<00:15:15.995> I<00:15:16.108> actually<00:15:16.396> talked<00:15:16.717> to,<00:15:17.118> probably<00:15:17.519> when<00:15:17.776> you<00:15:18.000> were<00:15:18.561> at<00:15:18.738> Facebook,<00:15:19.684> uh,<00:15:19.860> Mark<00:15:20.181> Zuckerberg.

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I<00:15:20.983> guess<00:15:21.143> it's<00:15:21.304> now<00:15:21.464> Meta,<00:15:21.865> but<00:15:22.025> at<00:15:22.121> the<00:15:22.250> time,<00:15:22.667> uh,<00:15:22.971> it<00:15:23.052> was<00:15:23.148> still<00:15:23.388> Facebook.

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And,<00:15:25.217> uh,<00:15:25.778> we<00:15:25.938> talked<00:15:26.275> a<00:15:26.291> lot<00:15:26.596> about<00:15:27.622> some<00:15:27.879> of<00:15:27.975> the<00:15:28.215> subjects<00:15:28.761> you<00:15:28.921> and<00:15:29.065> I<00:15:29.081> have<00:15:29.242> touched<00:15:29.546> on<00:15:29.707> here<00:15:29.803> in<00:15:29.883> this<00:15:30.108> conversation,<00:15:30.765> which<00:15:30.990> is<00:15:31.150> like<00:15:32.032> internet<00:15:32.385> safety,<00:15:33.892> content<00:15:34.518> moderation,<00:15:36.362> what<00:15:36.619> the<00:15:36.763> future<00:15:37.420> of<00:15:37.565> the<00:15:37.661> metaverse<00:15:38.383> might<00:15:38.687> look<00:15:38.864> like.

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Obviously<00:15:39.730> he's<00:15:40.131> pretty,<00:15:40.932> uh,<00:15:41.414> all<00:15:41.606> in<00:15:41.814> on<00:15:41.911> that.

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Changing<00:15:42.698> his<00:15:42.955> name<00:15:43.277> to<00:15:43.502> it<00:15:43.823> and,<00:15:44.322> uh,<00:15:45.126> going<00:15:45.448> as<00:15:45.609> deep.

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And<00:15:46.107> he<00:15:46.252> gets<00:15:46.493> in<00:15:46.574> some<00:15:46.735> controversy<00:15:47.346> every<00:15:47.539> once<00:15:47.764> in<00:15:47.796> a<00:15:47.844> while<00:15:48.086> whenever<00:15:48.279> he<00:15:48.423> pops<00:15:48.729> his<00:15:48.825> head<00:15:48.986> up,<00:15:49.131> particularly<00:15:49.630> like<00:15:49.806> in<00:15:49.871> a<00:15:50.000> recent<00:15:50.275> like<00:15:50.518> Rogan,<00:15:51.961> um,<00:15:52.382> interview.

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How<00:15:53.274> do<00:15:53.355> you<00:15:53.598> think,<00:15:55.057> one,<00:15:55.462> like<00:15:55.706> if<00:15:55.770> you<00:15:55.933> ask<00:15:56.176> Zuck<00:15:56.516> to<00:15:56.759> invest,<00:15:57.327> because<00:15:57.635> he<00:15:57.700> should,<00:15:58.443> um,<00:15:58.766> and<00:15:58.944> two,<00:16:01.126> how<00:16:01.287> do<00:16:01.368> you<00:16:01.530> think<00:16:02.984> companies<00:16:03.712> and<00:16:03.792> social<00:16:04.132> media,<00:16:04.520> like,<00:16:04.827> like<00:16:04.988> how<00:16:05.166> should<00:16:05.473> all<00:16:05.586> of<00:16:05.716> us,<00:16:05.894> and<00:16:06.136> even<00:16:06.378> us<00:16:06.847> as<00:16:07.090> users<00:16:07.898> who<00:16:07.979> maybe<00:16:08.238> are<00:16:08.480> unfamiliar<00:16:09.111> with<00:16:09.289> like<00:16:10.152> What's<00:16:10.457> happening<00:16:10.954> in<00:16:11.034> the<00:16:11.114> metaverse?

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How<00:16:11.595> should<00:16:11.755> we<00:16:11.916> be<00:16:12.140> thinking<00:16:12.461> about<00:16:12.781> the<00:16:12.878> future?

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Because<00:16:13.599> I<00:16:13.615> think<00:16:13.775> it's<00:16:14.032> scary<00:16:14.400> to<00:16:14.561> a<00:16:14.577> lot<00:16:14.737> of<00:16:14.865> people.

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Yeah.

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Yeah.

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So<00:16:17.446> I<00:16:17.526> think<00:16:17.911> one,<00:16:18.953> yes,<00:16:19.290> I<00:16:19.434> would<00:16:19.594> love<00:16:19.851> for<00:16:20.348> Zuck<00:16:20.716> to<00:16:20.813> come<00:16:21.117> in<00:16:21.438> and—.

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Yeah,<00:16:21.887> go<00:16:22.015> ahead<00:16:22.175> and<00:16:22.576> do<00:16:22.800> this,<00:16:23.089> Zuck.

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What<00:16:24.323> the<00:16:24.483> heck?

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I<00:16:25.221> did<00:16:25.942> send<00:16:26.263> him<00:16:26.808> a<00:16:27.289> DM<00:16:27.722> on<00:16:27.866> Instagram<00:16:28.363> because<00:16:28.972> I<00:16:29.068> love<00:16:29.373> whatever<00:16:29.709> he<00:16:29.870> posts.

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You<00:16:30.575> slid<00:16:30.831> into<00:16:31.008> his<00:16:31.152> DMs.

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Great.

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I<00:16:32.771> did,<00:16:33.076> but<00:16:33.220> I<00:16:33.316> didn't<00:16:33.460> get<00:16:33.573> a<00:16:33.637> response<00:16:34.214> back<00:16:34.502> yet.

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That's<00:16:35.336> true.

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So<00:16:36.201> if<00:16:36.346> I<00:16:36.522> do,<00:16:36.779> I'll<00:16:38.830> let<00:16:39.247> you<00:16:39.343> know.

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I<00:16:39.648> witnessed<00:16:40.049> him<00:16:40.209> firsthand<00:16:40.786> speaking<00:16:41.235> at<00:16:41.267> Q&A.

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Zuckerman's<00:16:41.957> and<00:16:42.118> his<00:16:42.359> leadership<00:16:43.002> at<00:16:43.179> Facebook.

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And<00:16:43.821> it<00:16:43.902> was<00:16:44.062> very<00:16:44.303> inspiring,<00:16:44.930> which<00:16:45.107> is<00:16:45.267> what<00:16:45.492> really<00:16:45.734> led<00:16:45.991> me<00:16:46.633> to<00:16:46.778> build<00:16:46.955> my<00:16:47.276> own<00:16:47.421> company.

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And<00:16:48.401> as<00:16:48.562> far<00:16:48.803> as<00:16:48.947> your<00:16:49.108> second<00:16:49.526> question,<00:16:49.992> how<00:16:50.233> should<00:16:50.490> we<00:16:50.715> think<00:16:50.876> about<00:16:51.199> it?

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I<00:16:52.267> think<00:16:52.655> with<00:16:52.914> metaverse,<00:16:54.031> we're<00:16:54.273> moving<00:16:54.759> in<00:16:54.920> the<00:16:55.082> direction<00:16:58.561> of<00:16:58.981> giving<00:16:59.450> people<00:17:00.258> more<00:17:00.581> freedom<00:17:01.082> of<00:17:01.178> expression,<00:17:02.211> but<00:17:02.599> yet<00:17:03.002> a<00:17:03.099> private<00:17:03.809> and<00:17:03.906> safe<00:17:04.325> experience.

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And<00:17:05.907> avatars<00:17:06.553> allow<00:17:06.956> you<00:17:07.053> to<00:17:07.214> do<00:17:07.456> that.

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It's<00:17:08.328> like<00:17:08.651> you<00:17:08.748> get<00:17:09.070> more<00:17:09.233> freedom,<00:17:09.813> you<00:17:09.978> have<00:17:10.376> that<00:17:10.558> privacy,<00:17:11.072> and<00:17:11.205> you<00:17:11.254> don't<00:17:11.900> feel<00:17:12.253> like<00:17:12.718> you're<00:17:12.879> splashing<00:17:13.457> yourself<00:17:14.244> all<00:17:14.501> over<00:17:14.742> social<00:17:15.223> media<00:17:15.448> and<00:17:15.689> everybody.

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Like,<00:17:17.375> I<00:17:17.792> feel<00:17:18.033> like,<00:17:18.370> you<00:17:18.451> know,<00:17:18.932> so<00:17:19.157> what<00:17:19.398> really<00:17:19.639> bugs<00:17:20.040> me<00:17:20.201> is<00:17:20.361> when<00:17:20.474> I'm<00:17:20.682> on<00:17:20.827> these<00:17:21.068> platforms<00:17:21.710> and<00:17:21.790> celebrities<00:17:22.529> will<00:17:22.690> like<00:17:22.995> post<00:17:23.252> your<00:17:23.476> photos<00:17:23.974> or<00:17:24.054> there's<00:17:24.295> a<00:17:24.359> new<00:17:24.616> cover<00:17:25.002> or<00:17:25.098> whatever<00:17:25.483> coming<00:17:25.805> out,<00:17:25.885> there's<00:17:26.142> like<00:17:26.286> so<00:17:26.543> much<00:17:26.784> backlash<00:17:27.282> sometimes<00:17:27.972> over<00:17:28.229> photos,<00:17:30.060> right?

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And<00:17:30.782> I'm<00:17:30.959> just<00:17:31.264> like<00:17:31.440> feeling,<00:17:31.986> I'm<00:17:32.404> just<00:17:32.629> like<00:17:32.789> thinking<00:17:33.431> who,<00:17:33.688> like<00:17:34.009> the<00:17:34.170> receiver,<00:17:34.812> at<00:17:34.909> the<00:17:35.053> receiver<00:17:35.615> end,<00:17:36.017> it<00:17:36.097> feels<00:17:36.643> really<00:17:36.980> bad.

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Right?

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Like<00:17:38.666> to<00:17:39.372> get<00:17:39.629> judged<00:17:40.015> so<00:17:40.513> much.

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I<00:17:40.834> mean,<00:17:40.930> celebrities,<00:17:41.701> obviously<00:17:42.343> they<00:17:42.504> wanna<00:17:42.777> be,<00:17:43.162> you<00:17:43.258> know,<00:17:43.547> in<00:17:43.708> media<00:17:44.029> and<00:17:44.206> be<00:17:44.366> talked<00:17:44.768> about,<00:17:45.571> be<00:17:45.731> it<00:17:45.876> positive<00:17:46.454> or<00:17:46.534> negative<00:17:46.936> press.

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But<00:17:47.417> me<00:17:47.642> personally,<00:17:48.300> like<00:17:48.477> a<00:17:48.541> normal<00:17:48.927> person<00:17:49.826> does<00:17:50.067> not<00:17:50.388> want<00:17:50.629> that.

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I<00:17:51.094> wanna<00:17:51.351> be<00:17:51.512> online,<00:17:52.074> I<00:17:52.299> wanna<00:17:52.459> interact<00:17:53.503> with<00:17:53.664> other<00:17:53.840> people,<00:17:54.386> I<00:17:54.547> wanna<00:17:54.804> follow<00:17:55.189> people<00:17:55.526> that<00:17:55.687> I'm<00:17:55.847> interested<00:17:56.474> in,<00:17:57.052> but,<00:17:57.533> and<00:17:57.678> I<00:17:57.919> want<00:17:58.160> people<00:17:58.401> to<00:17:58.481> have<00:17:58.593> a<00:17:58.722> dialogue<00:17:59.219> with<00:17:59.460> me,<00:17:59.701> but<00:17:59.926> I<00:17:59.942> don't<00:18:00.167> wanna<00:18:00.327> be<00:18:00.488> judged.

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And<00:18:01.307> I<00:18:01.532> think<00:18:02.174> being<00:18:02.511> in<00:18:02.672> metaverse<00:18:03.394> and<00:18:03.555> being<00:18:04.021> in<00:18:04.261> augmented<00:18:04.823> reality,<00:18:06.510> it<00:18:06.766> will<00:18:07.072> give<00:18:07.248> us<00:18:07.409> that<00:18:07.569> freedom<00:18:07.890> of<00:18:07.939> expression.

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Expression<00:18:08.613> without<00:18:09.191> sacrificing,<00:18:10.283> you<00:18:10.379> know,<00:18:11.086> I<00:18:11.134> don't<00:18:11.583> know,<00:18:11.824> our<00:18:11.905> mental<00:18:12.226> health.

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And<00:18:13.751> for<00:18:14.088> SoonMe,<00:18:14.698> do<00:18:14.795> you<00:18:15.581> plan<00:18:15.854> to<00:18:16.063> always<00:18:16.705> have<00:18:17.042> dating<00:18:17.428> as<00:18:17.588> the<00:18:17.685> focus,<00:18:18.182> or<00:18:18.247> is<00:18:18.391> this<00:18:18.568> just<00:18:18.793> kind<00:18:18.889> of<00:18:18.969> the<00:18:19.049> beginning<00:18:20.254> vertical<00:18:21.040> and<00:18:21.121> you<00:18:21.217> plan<00:18:21.394> to<00:18:21.522> go<00:18:21.618> to<00:18:21.683> other<00:18:21.924> verticals?

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Yes.

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So<00:18:24.107> we—<00:18:24.846> dating<00:18:25.697> is<00:18:26.034> the<00:18:26.178> beginning,<00:18:26.756> but<00:18:27.061> we<00:18:27.222> do<00:18:27.543> plan<00:18:27.961> to<00:18:28.362> expand<00:18:28.844> it<00:18:29.004> to<00:18:30.369> everybody.

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What<00:18:31.718> it<00:18:31.814> means<00:18:32.215> is<00:18:32.456> like<00:18:32.793> finding<00:18:33.243> communities.

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Online.

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And<00:18:35.427> we<00:18:35.733> have<00:18:36.134> already<00:18:36.488> started<00:18:36.938> to<00:18:37.098> pave<00:18:37.435> the<00:18:37.596> way<00:18:37.998> for<00:18:38.142> that.

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Like,<00:18:39.428> um,<00:18:39.990> we<00:18:40.568> recently<00:18:41.195> launched<00:18:41.612> trending<00:18:42.094> tab.

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What<00:18:42.897> that<00:18:43.203> means<00:18:43.540> is<00:18:43.765> that<00:18:44.006> we're<00:18:44.102> surfacing<00:18:44.906> top<00:18:45.227> trending<00:18:45.628> content<00:18:46.271> on<00:18:46.432> SoonMe,<00:18:47.620> um,<00:18:48.038> to<00:18:48.343> all<00:18:48.520> other—<00:18:48.938> to<00:18:49.147> users<00:18:49.580> in<00:18:49.709> their<00:18:50.030> areas.

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So<00:18:51.476> let's<00:18:51.685> say<00:18:52.118> if<00:18:52.359> your<00:18:53.082> voice<00:18:53.404> recording,<00:18:53.821> your<00:18:53.966> soundbite,<00:18:54.930> is<00:18:55.171> really<00:18:55.508> popular<00:18:56.295> on<00:18:56.408> SoonMe,<00:18:57.018> like<00:18:57.195> you're<00:18:57.356> getting<00:18:57.677> a<00:18:57.757> lot<00:18:57.982> of<00:18:58.078> likes,<00:18:58.400> which<00:18:58.625> are<00:18:58.721> not<00:18:58.962> shown<00:18:59.444> to<00:18:59.829> other<00:19:00.086> users,<00:19:00.568> but<00:19:00.954> we<00:19:01.131> know<00:19:01.693> that<00:19:02.014> your<00:19:02.432> soundbite<00:19:02.978> is<00:19:03.138> popular.

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So<00:19:04.327> we<00:19:04.503> will<00:19:04.728> show<00:19:05.065> that<00:19:05.403> to<00:19:05.611> other<00:19:05.788> people<00:19:06.174> in<00:19:06.270> your<00:19:06.575> area<00:19:07.378> that<00:19:07.635> who<00:19:07.731> may<00:19:07.940> not<00:19:08.197> have<00:19:08.438> seen<00:19:08.679> you<00:19:08.839> in<00:19:08.920> Discovery,<00:19:09.883> but<00:19:10.044> they<00:19:10.205> can<00:19:10.429> just<00:19:10.606> like<00:19:10.847> choose<00:19:11.248> to<00:19:11.393> have<00:19:11.570> a<00:19:11.650> dialogue<00:19:12.196> with<00:19:12.373> you<00:19:12.469> and<00:19:12.614> see<00:19:12.838> what<00:19:12.999> you're<00:19:13.176> saying.

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Similar<00:19:13.802> to<00:19:13.898> what<00:19:14.139> like<00:19:14.300> TikTok<00:19:14.766> is<00:19:14.878> doing,<00:19:15.649> but<00:19:15.809> like<00:19:15.986> with<00:19:16.211> avatars<00:19:16.693> plus<00:19:16.950> voice.

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Yeah,<00:19:18.395> that's<00:19:18.700> cool.

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And<00:19:19.985> kind<00:19:20.178> of<00:19:20.242> similar<00:19:20.724> to<00:19:20.820> like<00:19:21.109> what<00:19:21.270> Clubhouse<00:19:21.928> was<00:19:22.089> trying<00:19:22.330> to<00:19:22.410> do,<00:19:23.117> right?

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Yeah.

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But<00:19:24.739> with<00:19:25.204> avatars<00:19:25.863> and,<00:19:26.168> and<00:19:26.329> voice,<00:19:26.650> which,<00:19:26.827> which<00:19:26.987> I<00:19:27.067> think<00:19:27.292> is<00:19:27.389> really<00:19:27.549> fascinating.

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How<00:19:28.432> do<00:19:28.496> you<00:19:28.689> monetize<00:19:29.394> SoonMe?

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So,<00:19:31.399> so<00:19:31.559> the<00:19:31.720> way<00:19:32.025> we're<00:19:32.121> going<00:19:32.265> to<00:19:32.425> monetize<00:19:32.939> SoonMe<00:19:33.644> is<00:19:33.885> that<00:19:34.446> we're<00:19:34.607> going<00:19:34.719> to<00:19:34.783> sell<00:19:36.034> virtual<00:19:36.691> goods.

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We're<00:19:37.333> not<00:19:37.429> monetizing<00:19:38.616> right<00:19:38.856> now,<00:19:39.017> by<00:19:39.193> the<00:19:39.338> way.

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Our<00:19:40.059> goal<00:19:40.364> is<00:19:40.685> to,<00:19:41.727> you<00:19:41.807> know,<00:19:41.984> monetize<00:19:43.010> early<00:19:43.347> next<00:19:43.732> year<00:19:44.069> or<00:19:44.229> end<00:19:44.389> of<00:19:44.453> this<00:19:44.710> year,<00:19:45.031> depending<00:19:45.512> on<00:19:45.736> how,<00:19:47.100> you<00:19:47.180> know,<00:19:47.356> fast<00:19:47.821> we're<00:19:48.062> able<00:19:48.238> to<00:19:49.040> get<00:19:49.265> to<00:19:49.425> the<00:19:49.521> scale<00:19:49.986> that<00:19:50.147> we're<00:19:50.307> looking<00:19:50.628> for.

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So<00:19:51.029> we're<00:19:51.125> going<00:19:51.526> to<00:19:51.686> monetize<00:19:52.328> with<00:19:52.568> virtual<00:19:53.050> commerce<00:19:53.755> and<00:19:53.900> paid<00:19:54.092> features.

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So<00:19:54.654> some<00:19:54.895> key<00:19:55.120> examples<00:19:55.763> are<00:19:55.923> like<00:19:56.582> giving<00:19:56.984> users<00:19:58.429> paid<00:19:58.750> tools<00:19:59.136> like<00:19:59.377> custom<00:19:59.875> stickers.

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What<00:20:01.642> that<00:20:01.802> means<00:20:02.124> is<00:20:02.268> like,<00:20:02.461> if<00:20:02.670> I<00:20:02.766> want<00:20:02.911> to<00:20:02.943> see,<00:20:03.328> oh,<00:20:03.633> how<00:20:03.971> would<00:20:04.196> I<00:20:04.372> look<00:20:04.613> like<00:20:05.400> eating<00:20:05.657> popcorn<00:20:06.525> at<00:20:06.621> a<00:20:06.637> movie<00:20:07.103> with<00:20:07.264> this<00:20:07.505> guy,<00:20:08.292> I<00:20:08.388> can<00:20:08.613> create<00:20:08.950> couple<00:20:09.288> stickers,<00:20:10.316> like<00:20:10.717> with<00:20:10.958> both<00:20:11.199> our<00:20:11.440> avatars.

00:20:12.018 --> 00:20:15.632
So<00:20:12.227> that's<00:20:12.548> something<00:20:12.950> I<00:20:13.046> can<00:20:13.271> purchase<00:20:13.849> on<00:20:13.946> SoonMe<00:20:14.958> digital<00:20:15.311> store.

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So<00:20:16.323> other<00:20:16.500> things<00:20:16.821> like<00:20:16.982> participating<00:20:17.785> in<00:20:17.929> events<00:20:18.363> to<00:20:18.508> find<00:20:18.813> romantic<00:20:19.134> connections.

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Connections<00:20:19.856> or<00:20:20.016> other<00:20:20.193> meaningful<00:20:20.658> connections.

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And<00:20:22.341> also<00:20:23.238> people<00:20:23.864> customizing<00:20:24.585> their<00:20:24.825> avatars<00:20:25.242> with<00:20:25.467> branded<00:20:25.883> content.

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So<00:20:27.631> think<00:20:27.887> like<00:20:28.128> Meta<00:20:28.544> digital<00:20:28.945> store<00:20:29.410> integration<00:20:30.532> and<00:20:30.837> allowing<00:20:31.879> users<00:20:32.376> to<00:20:32.536> give<00:20:32.776> virtual<00:20:33.257> goods<00:20:33.722> like<00:20:33.899> flowers,<00:20:34.460> clothes,<00:20:34.796> accessories<00:20:35.486> to<00:20:35.646> each<00:20:35.806> other.

00:20:36.063 --> 00:20:38.355
So<00:20:36.143> those<00:20:36.447> are<00:20:36.479> some<00:20:36.640> of<00:20:36.720> the<00:20:36.848> key<00:20:37.024> ways<00:20:37.329> we<00:20:37.425> will<00:20:37.569> be<00:20:37.650> monetizing.

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I<00:20:39.269> think<00:20:39.910> this<00:20:40.214> is<00:20:40.391> going<00:20:40.792> to<00:20:41.176> play<00:20:41.513> well<00:20:42.715> for<00:20:43.020> us<00:20:43.420> than<00:20:43.533> an<00:20:43.901> ad-based<00:20:44.559> model<00:20:45.039> that<00:20:45.216> a<00:20:45.344> lot<00:20:45.536> of<00:20:45.665> these<00:20:45.777> social<00:20:46.258> media<00:20:47.107> apps<00:20:47.684> use.

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And<00:20:49.207> I<00:20:49.368> think<00:20:49.784> it's<00:20:49.993> also<00:20:50.538> going<00:20:50.602> to<00:20:50.730> protect<00:20:51.131> people's<00:20:51.452> privacy<00:20:52.413> if<00:20:52.574> we<00:20:52.670> sort<00:20:52.975> of<00:20:53.135> like<00:20:53.536> stay<00:20:53.840> away<00:20:54.097> from<00:20:54.337> like<00:20:54.722> ad-based<00:20:55.459> monetization<00:20:56.165> strategy.

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Yeah.

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Do<00:20:57.287> you<00:20:57.383> plan<00:20:57.624> to<00:20:57.704> like<00:20:59.387> do<00:20:59.547> some<00:20:59.788> of<00:20:59.852> that<00:21:00.028> commerce<00:21:00.493> with<00:21:00.654> like<00:21:00.830> cryptocurrencies<00:21:01.776> and<00:21:01.856> things<00:21:02.096> like<00:21:02.193> that?

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Down<00:21:03.715> the<00:21:03.796> line,<00:21:04.437> we're<00:21:04.677> thinking<00:21:04.998> about<00:21:05.319> it<00:21:06.264> down<00:21:06.521> the<00:21:06.665> line.

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You<00:21:07.323> know,<00:21:07.483> we<00:21:07.707> will<00:21:07.884> let<00:21:08.349> users<00:21:08.765> create<00:21:09.326> their<00:21:09.567> SoonMe<00:21:10.368> NFTs<00:21:11.795> and<00:21:12.436> also<00:21:13.014> possibly<00:21:13.735> launch<00:21:14.376> SoonMe<00:21:15.082> cryptocurrency<00:21:16.284> that<00:21:16.476> they<00:21:16.621> can<00:21:16.925> use<00:21:17.182> to<00:21:17.423> buy<00:21:17.664> stuff.

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That's<00:21:19.351> probably<00:21:19.833> going<00:21:20.026> to<00:21:20.155> be—<00:21:20.556> we're<00:21:20.717> still<00:21:21.022> thinking<00:21:21.360> through<00:21:21.826> what<00:21:22.067> that<00:21:22.244> would<00:21:22.404> look<00:21:22.629> like.

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So<00:21:23.368> that's<00:21:23.674> going<00:21:23.770> to<00:21:23.915> come<00:21:24.477> after<00:21:25.136> this<00:21:25.377> first,<00:21:26.968> you<00:21:27.064> know,<00:21:27.932> wave<00:21:28.430> of<00:21:28.655> like<00:21:28.816> getting<00:21:29.153> to<00:21:29.250> scale,<00:21:30.342> monetizing<00:21:31.708> on<00:21:31.949> avatars<00:21:32.753> and<00:21:32.929> then<00:21:33.170> going<00:21:33.636> towards<00:21:34.054> NFTs<00:21:34.681> and<00:21:34.777> crypto.

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Yeah.

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And<00:21:36.561> it<00:21:36.625> probably<00:21:36.882> makes<00:21:37.107> sense<00:21:37.364> to<00:21:37.509> kind<00:21:37.670> of<00:21:37.750> wait<00:21:37.991> and<00:21:38.055> see<00:21:38.232> how<00:21:38.393> that<00:21:38.537> whole<00:21:38.650> space<00:21:39.116> is<00:21:39.196> going<00:21:39.293> to<00:21:39.357> shake<00:21:40.144> out,<00:21:40.385> right?

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That<00:21:41.301> space<00:21:41.687> is<00:21:41.767> going<00:21:42.072> through<00:21:42.185> some<00:21:42.474> things.

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And,<00:21:43.679> uh,<00:21:43.935> waiting<00:21:44.257> to<00:21:44.353> see<00:21:44.642> kind<00:21:44.802> of<00:21:44.883> where<00:21:45.059> the<00:21:45.782> cards<00:21:46.167> fall.

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It<00:21:46.520> makes<00:21:46.761> a<00:21:46.825> lot<00:21:46.986> of<00:21:47.050> sense.

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Well,<00:21:48.495> uh,<00:21:49.234> thank<00:21:49.458> you<00:21:49.539> again<00:21:49.892> so<00:21:50.052> much<00:21:50.357> for<00:21:50.823> coming<00:21:51.144> on.

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Where<00:21:52.124> do<00:21:52.268> you—<00:21:52.750> last<00:21:52.991> question<00:21:53.328> for<00:21:53.552> you,<00:21:54.997> like,<00:21:55.158> what<00:21:55.270> do<00:21:55.399> you<00:21:55.559> hope<00:21:56.137> SoonMe<00:21:56.619> accomplishes<00:21:57.325> in<00:21:57.422> the<00:21:57.566> world?

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What<00:21:58.144> type<00:21:58.321> of<00:21:58.449> difference<00:21:58.786> do<00:21:58.851> you<00:21:58.931> hope<00:21:59.124> it<00:21:59.204> makes?

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I<00:22:01.275> really<00:22:02.543> feel<00:22:03.202> that<00:22:03.908> the<00:22:04.004> reason<00:22:04.630> I<00:22:04.807> founded<00:22:05.610> and<00:22:05.835> built<00:22:06.027> SoonMe<00:22:06.958> is<00:22:07.215> because<00:22:07.681> I<00:22:07.841> want<00:22:08.098> people<00:22:08.484> to<00:22:08.644> have<00:22:09.447> positive<00:22:10.040> experiences<00:22:10.890> in<00:22:10.986> the<00:22:11.147> world<00:22:11.612> and<00:22:11.789> not<00:22:12.125> feel<00:22:12.430> the<00:22:12.575> pressure.

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I<00:22:13.553> think<00:22:13.858> I<00:22:14.034> want,<00:22:14.997> I<00:22:15.141> want<00:22:15.382> to<00:22:15.542> improve<00:22:15.879> people's<00:22:16.440> mental<00:22:16.906> health.

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I<00:22:17.724> want<00:22:17.916> to<00:22:17.964> make<00:22:18.141> a<00:22:18.269> positive<00:22:18.846> impact<00:22:19.392> there<00:22:19.649> because<00:22:20.194> I<00:22:20.290> think<00:22:21.076> we<00:22:21.237> are<00:22:21.333> sort<00:22:21.654> of<00:22:21.814> in<00:22:21.894> a<00:22:21.910> mental<00:22:22.440> health<00:22:22.696> crisis<00:22:23.322> right<00:22:23.643> now,<00:22:23.755> especially<00:22:24.541> when<00:22:24.701> it<00:22:24.782> comes<00:22:25.183> to<00:22:25.343> teens.

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I'm<00:22:25.744> seeing<00:22:26.001> so<00:22:26.386> much<00:22:26.706> research<00:22:27.252> come<00:22:27.444> out<00:22:27.669> where<00:22:27.813> people<00:22:28.214> are<00:22:28.295> like,<00:22:28.712> oh<00:22:28.792> my<00:22:28.952> God,<00:22:29.193> I<00:22:29.273> feel<00:22:30.460> so<00:22:30.717> much<00:22:30.957> pressure<00:22:31.583> on<00:22:31.679> these<00:22:31.775> social<00:22:32.225> media<00:22:32.481> platforms<00:22:33.123> comparing<00:22:33.764> myself<00:22:34.310> to,<00:22:34.727> you<00:22:34.823> know,<00:22:35.369> like<00:22:35.593> people<00:22:35.930> in<00:22:36.090> my<00:22:36.732> communities.

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And<00:22:38.094> it's<00:22:38.254> just<00:22:38.558> like<00:22:38.975> people<00:22:39.600> are<00:22:39.712> suicidal.

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Like,<00:22:41.042> you<00:22:41.074> know,<00:22:41.282> there<00:22:41.362> are<00:22:41.539> some<00:22:41.843> people<00:22:42.244> who<00:22:42.340> feel<00:22:42.740> that<00:22:43.045> way.

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And<00:22:45.288> I<00:22:45.384> just<00:22:45.785> hope<00:22:46.089> that<00:22:46.650> being<00:22:46.986> on<00:22:47.082> SoonMe<00:22:47.547> and<00:22:47.771> connecting<00:22:48.348> with<00:22:48.492> people<00:22:49.053> on<00:22:49.230> SoonMe<00:22:49.935> can<00:22:50.095> sort<00:22:50.415> of<00:22:50.736> relieve<00:22:51.296> young<00:22:51.553> people<00:22:52.098> of<00:22:52.194> that<00:22:52.418> pressure<00:22:53.379> and<00:22:53.476> they<00:22:53.700> can<00:22:53.860> feel<00:22:54.453> sort<00:22:54.821> of<00:22:55.863> have<00:22:56.039> that<00:22:56.199> freedom<00:22:56.664> of<00:22:56.760> expression<00:22:58.587> and<00:22:58.923> while<00:22:59.244> maintaining<00:22:59.788> their<00:22:59.965> privacy<00:23:00.606> and<00:23:00.702> safety.

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So<00:23:01.487> I<00:23:01.647> think<00:23:02.032> if<00:23:02.272> we<00:23:02.368> can<00:23:02.592> make<00:23:02.769> that<00:23:02.929> happen,<00:23:04.051> I<00:23:04.275> will<00:23:04.435> be<00:23:04.996> I'll<00:23:05.172> be<00:23:05.204> a<00:23:05.252> very,<00:23:05.493> very<00:23:05.733> happy<00:23:06.118> person.

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Well,<00:23:07.417> my<00:23:07.641> word,<00:23:07.881> if<00:23:07.962> you<00:23:07.994> make<00:23:08.218> that<00:23:08.378> happen,<00:23:08.683> you've<00:23:08.843> made<00:23:09.020> it.

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You've<00:23:09.260> made<00:23:09.420> a<00:23:09.500> huge<00:23:09.757> difference.

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Tanvi,<00:23:10.767> thank<00:23:11.023> you<00:23:11.103> so<00:23:11.360> much<00:23:11.584> for<00:23:11.665> everything<00:23:12.049> you<00:23:12.129> do<00:23:12.226> in<00:23:12.322> the<00:23:12.466> world,<00:23:13.748> for<00:23:13.909> coming<00:23:14.149> on<00:23:14.213> the<00:23:14.293> show.

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I'm<00:23:14.710> sure<00:23:14.871> we'll<00:23:15.015> have<00:23:15.175> you<00:23:15.271> on<00:23:15.367> again<00:23:15.656> as<00:23:15.752> this<00:23:15.977> thing<00:23:16.073> grows.

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And<00:23:17.499> good<00:23:17.740> luck<00:23:18.077> and<00:23:18.141> congrats<00:23:18.702> on<00:23:18.798> everything<00:23:19.119> you've<00:23:19.279> built<00:23:19.519> with<00:23:19.615> SoonMe.

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Sounds<00:23:21.026> good.

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Thank<00:23:21.459> you<00:23:21.539> so<00:23:21.828> much,<00:23:22.084> Clint.

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Thanks<00:23:22.645> for<00:23:22.725> having<00:23:23.046> me.

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It<00:23:23.206> was<00:23:23.431> great<00:23:23.831> talking<00:23:25.995> to<00:23:29.121> you.