Berlin-based AI gaming startup Born has secured $15 million in Series A funding to scale its mission of replacing isolated chatbot experiences with social, collaborative AI companions. The round, which brings the company’s total funding to $25 million, saw participation from heavyweights including Accel, Tencent, and Laton Ventures.
Redefining AI Companionship
Fabian Kamberi, CEO and co-founder of Born, argues that the current market for AI companions is fundamentally flawed. He believes existing platforms often exploit users by trapping them in one-to-one, isolating relationships with chatbots, which he claims fuels the modern loneliness epidemic rather than alleviating it.
“It feels like it fuels the loneliness epidemic, instead of making it more fun and giving users the opportunity to make their lives better,” Kamberi stated.
The Success of Pengu
Born’s flagship product, Pengu, serves as a modern, AI-powered evolution of the classic Tamagotchi. Unlike traditional solo-play AI, Pengu requires users to co-parent a virtual pet alongside friends or partners, turning digital interaction into a shared real-world bond.
The app operates on a freemium model, offering a “Pengu Pass” subscription for power users. While Born reports a massive global reach of over 15 million users, the company has not disclosed the specific percentage of paying subscribers.
Expansion and Future Strategy
With the new capital, Born is shifting focus toward several key growth areas:
- New AI Characters: Expanding the Pengu ecosystem with new companions, including an upcoming “learning companion” designed for educational engagement.
- U.S. Expansion: Opening a New York office later this year to spearhead marketing and advanced AI research, led by Head of Finance Enrico Dal Re.
- Advanced Character Engine: Investing in research to ensure AI friends develop consistent personalities, retain long-term memory of interactions, and “grow” alongside the user.
A New Social Product in Development
Born is currently developing a secret, new AI-driven social product specifically targeting the 16-to-21 age demographic. While the project remains in stealth, Kamberi hints that it will focus on “culturally relevant” companions that feel like authentic friends—potentially by sharing social media content like TikToks or Instagram Reels to bridge the gap between AI and real-world interests.
The company leverages OpenAI’s generative models, bolstered by custom safety layers to ensure a secure environment for younger users. By moving away from simple text-based interfaces, Born aims to create a new category of “social AI” that fosters genuine network effects, allowing users to share their AI experiences across their existing social circles.
For investors like Accel, the potential is clear. “We’ve been really impressed by the team’s ability to develop chart-topping apps and their inspiring product vision,” said Luca Bocchio, partner at Accel, highlighting the startup’s ambition to transform how consumers interact with emotionally intelligent AI.