Slow Ventures

Tapestry is a social protocol that allows users to create social apps and allows users to own their data and connections.

Ghost Message enables users to send an anonymous message to pals in a group chat to flirt, make jokes, or pose queries.

Big Whale Labs is a startup focused on enhancing identity and social interactions through zero-knowledge cryptography and distributed computing. The company has developed a decentralized identity verification platform that enables users to create and engage as pseudonymous blockchain identities, while still having verified credentials and reputations associated with them. Their primary product, Ketl, is an application designed for verified founders and venture capitalists to discuss sensitive topics with a strong emphasis on privacy. By utilizing non-fungible tokens (NFTs) built on blockchain technology, Big Whale Labs aims to make online social interactions safer, more enjoyable, and secure, allowing crypto owners to verify their credentials while maintaining anonymity.

Ianacare, Inc. is a company that has developed a technology platform to assist family caregivers in managing the complexities of caregiving. Founded in 2017 and based in Newton Center, Massachusetts, the platform serves as a resource hub for individuals caring for loved ones with chronic illnesses or other challenges. Ianacare connects caregivers, care recipients, and their support networks, facilitating access to practical help such as meal preparation, transportation, respite care, and emotional support. By fostering community and collaboration among caregivers, the platform aims to empower these individuals, ensuring they have the necessary tools and resources to navigate the caregiving journey effectively.

Big Whale Labs is a startup focused on enhancing identity and social interactions through zero-knowledge cryptography and distributed computing. The company has developed a decentralized identity verification platform that enables users to create and engage as pseudonymous blockchain identities, while still having verified credentials and reputations associated with them. Their primary product, Ketl, is an application designed for verified founders and venture capitalists to discuss sensitive topics with a strong emphasis on privacy. By utilizing non-fungible tokens (NFTs) built on blockchain technology, Big Whale Labs aims to make online social interactions safer, more enjoyable, and secure, allowing crypto owners to verify their credentials while maintaining anonymity.

Introducing Clay, the beautiful and private home for all your relationships. Populated from the ground up using your calendar and social history, Clay is the most stunning, powerful way to remember who you’ve met—and what matters to them.

Raya is a private, membership-based social networking platform designed specifically for individuals in creative industries. It enables users to connect, collaborate, and explore opportunities on a global scale. The platform facilitates networking among members who share similar interests, allowing for both professional collaborations and personal connections, including romantic relationships. Access to Raya is restricted to approved applicants, ensuring a curated community of like-minded individuals. The platform's mobile application enhances user experience by providing tools for browsing profiles and initiating interactions.

Ense is a social platform that facilitates the connection between human voices and listeners through audible content sharing. It enables users to instantly record and share various audio formats, including melodies, conversations, and voice memos, in real-time. By focusing on the immediacy and accessibility of audio communication, Ense aims to create a dynamic environment for sharing personal and creative expressions.

Wag is a mobile application used to instantly find trusted and certified dog walkers. You’ll receive a push notification when the walk starts, followed by real-time GPS tracking of the walk. Once the walk is complete, you’ll receive a report card with a photo, notes, the distance traveled, and a pee/poop report.

Fabric is a personal location-based journal that catalogs experiences and interactions. With Fabric, users can automatically preserve a record of places, paths, activities, add friends, and browse photos.

Wag is a mobile application used to instantly find trusted and certified dog walkers. You’ll receive a push notification when the walk starts, followed by real-time GPS tracking of the walk. Once the walk is complete, you’ll receive a report card with a photo, notes, the distance traveled, and a pee/poop report.

Chime is a mobile communication application designed to facilitate video conversations among friends, family, and small groups. The platform allows users to create "Chimes," which are video conversations where participants can contribute throughout the day, resulting in a rich, collective narrative. This feature not only serves as a means of real-time communication but also acts as a lasting memory of shared experiences. By combining the simplicity of mobile communication with the personal touch of face-to-face interaction, Chime provides users with a private channel to engage and connect with loved ones through video chats, enhancing the intimacy of their conversations.

Friendsy is a social networking platform designed specifically for college students, facilitating connections and interactions among them. Launched in 2013 and based in Princeton, New Jersey, Friendsy allows users to browse verified profiles of fellow students, match with those nearby, and initiate conversations. This platform aims to create a friendly environment where college students can chat, compliment, and connect with each other, enhancing their social experiences on campus.

Wag is a mobile application used to instantly find trusted and certified dog walkers. You’ll receive a push notification when the walk starts, followed by real-time GPS tracking of the walk. Once the walk is complete, you’ll receive a report card with a photo, notes, the distance traveled, and a pee/poop report.

Houseparty is an internet company based in San Francisco, California, that operates a social networking platform focused on enhancing online communication through empathy. Founded in 2011, the company specializes in live video streaming and interaction. Its mobile application allows users to engage in group video calls with friends, facilitating real-time communication and social interaction. By integrating with popular social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook, Houseparty enables users to share and influence live video content, creating a unique space for connecting with others.

Nextdoor, Inc. is a social networking platform based in San Francisco that facilitates local conversations among residents. Founded in 2007, the company aims to foster connections within neighborhoods by allowing users to share recommendations, news updates, and resources while also promoting local businesses and services. Nextdoor enhances community engagement by offering features like the Help Map, which enables neighbors to offer assistance to those in need, particularly during crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic. With a presence in multiple countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and several European nations, Nextdoor seeks to create a sense of belonging and support among neighbors, emphasizing the importance of community in people's lives.

WiGo, Inc. is a Boston-based company that specializes in developing a social application designed for college students to coordinate their social activities. Launched in 2014, the platform enables users to see which of their peers are going out, where they are headed, and allows them to invite friends to join their plans. The application offers a daily reset feature, ensuring that each day presents a fresh opportunity for social engagement. By facilitating real-time connections among students, WiGo enhances the college social experience.

Swipe Labs is a mobile communication application developer based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2013. The company focuses on enhancing the intimacy of human interactions by enabling users to privately share photos and videos with small groups of friends. Swipe Labs aims to improve mobile communication experiences through innovative social products that foster closer connections among users.

Chatous, Inc. is an online chat platform that facilitates social discovery through conversation. Established in 2012 by three Stanford Computer Science students, the service employs big data algorithms to enhance user interactions and predict compatibility among users. As individuals engage in conversations, the platform continuously learns from these interactions, refining its algorithm to improve user experience. Based in the United States, Chatous aims to create meaningful connections by leveraging a data-driven approach to social networking.

Hinge, Inc. is a social discovery network that operates a mobile application designed to help users meet new people within their social circles. Founded in 2011 and based in New York City, Hinge offers an alternative to traditional dating app swipe culture by facilitating meaningful connections through smart matches and promoting natural conversations. Users can browse profiles that are validated through Facebook, allowing them to view photos, full names, and shared interests, as well as mutual friends. As of 2018, Hinge operates as a subsidiary of Match Group, Inc.

Change.org is the world’s largest social change platform with over 150 million users in 196 countries. Change.org empowers anyone, anywhere, to create the change they want to see. On Change.org, people everywhere are starting campaigns, mobilizing supporters, and working with decision-makers to drive solutions. Change.org is a certified B-corporation, a new class of companies dedicated to positive impact. Investors include Bill Gates, Arianna Huffington, Ev Williams, Richard Branson, Reid Hoffman, and the Omidyar Network, started by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar.

Yik Yak is a location-based social network that facilitates community engagement by allowing users to share news, ask questions, and connect with others in their local area. Through its smartphone application, users can create and view discussion threads, share jokes, offer support, and interact in a casual manner. The platform aims to foster connections among users by providing a space for relatable and heartfelt content, ultimately enhancing the sense of community.

Parenthoods is a community platform aimed at connecting local parents to foster social interaction and support. The platform allows parents to chat, share experiences, and exchange advice, creating a space for them to meet and assist each other in navigating the challenges of parenthood. By facilitating connections among parents both nearby and globally, Parenthoods enhances the sense of community and collaboration, enabling individuals to share their dreams and individual creations while receiving guidance from others who understand their experiences.

Complex Polygon, Inc. is a product studio based in San Francisco, California, specializing in the design, development, and launch of mobile applications aimed at fostering connections among users. Established in 2013, the company focuses on creating innovative products such as Tag and Swipe. By experimenting with new ideas and reusing existing technology, Complex Polygon leverages its understanding of human behavior to enhance user experiences and innovate more efficiently. Since July 2017, it has operated as a subsidiary of Uber Technologies, Inc.

Product Hunt, established in 2014, is a San Francisco-based online platform that facilitates the discovery and discussion of innovative products. It allows users to submit, browse, vote, and comment on a daily array of mobile applications, websites, hardware projects, and tech creations, fostering a community of product enthusiasts.

Glow, Inc. is a technology company that develops mobile applications and online communities focused on women's health, particularly in areas concerning menstruation, fertility, pregnancy, and menopause. Founded in 2013 and based in San Francisco, Glow offers several applications, including Ruby By Glow, which assists with period and ovulation tracking, and Glow Nurture, designed for pregnancy tracking. The platform provides valuable insights, articles, and tips to support women throughout their reproductive journeys, whether they are trying to conceive, avoiding pregnancy, or coping with miscarriage. Additionally, Glow First is a community program aimed at making infertility treatment more accessible by allowing couples to pool resources and offering financial assistance to those who do not achieve pregnancy through accredited clinics.

Product Hunt, established in 2014, is a San Francisco-based online platform that facilitates the discovery and discussion of innovative products. It allows users to submit, browse, vote, and comment on a daily array of mobile applications, websites, hardware projects, and tech creations, fostering a community of product enthusiasts.

Amino Apps enables people to discover, develop, and express their interests and passions. Founded in 2011, Amino Apps offer a network of communities allowing its users explore and obsess over the things they're into.

Yik Yak is a location-based social network that facilitates community engagement by allowing users to share news, ask questions, and connect with others in their local area. Through its smartphone application, users can create and view discussion threads, share jokes, offer support, and interact in a casual manner. The platform aims to foster connections among users by providing a space for relatable and heartfelt content, ultimately enhancing the sense of community.

WUT, Inc. is a technology company based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2014. It specializes in developing a social messaging application that enables users to send anonymous and ephemeral messages to their friends. The app captures the spontaneous and free-spirited interactions that users enjoy, allowing them to engage in casual conversations through their mobile devices. By focusing on anonymity and temporality, WUT aims to enhance the social messaging experience, making it more dynamic and reflective of real-life interactions.

Quibb, Inc. is a professional network that facilitates the sharing of industry news and analysis. Founded in 2013 and based in San Francisco, the platform enables users to post and discuss newsworthy articles, as well as see what their colleagues are reading. By connecting professionals across various industries and geographies, Quibb allows clients to stay informed about significant events and developments relevant to their fields. The service is available through both online and mobile chat platforms, fostering engagement and informed commentary among users.

Nextdoor, Inc. is a social networking platform based in San Francisco that facilitates local conversations among residents. Founded in 2007, the company aims to foster connections within neighborhoods by allowing users to share recommendations, news updates, and resources while also promoting local businesses and services. Nextdoor enhances community engagement by offering features like the Help Map, which enables neighbors to offer assistance to those in need, particularly during crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic. With a presence in multiple countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and several European nations, Nextdoor seeks to create a sense of belonging and support among neighbors, emphasizing the importance of community in people's lives.

YPlan is a mobile application that simplifies the process of discovering and booking events. Founded in London in February 2012, it offers users a curated list of local events, allowing them to select, pay, and attend activities on the same day. The platform collaborates with over 3,500 event partners globally, providing a diverse range of options for users to explore and enjoy their city. YPlan has garnered more than 1.5 million users and received extensive positive feedback, including over 1,000 five-star reviews on the App Store. The application also integrates with Apple's PassBook for seamless mobile ticketing, enhancing the user experience.

Hangtime, Inc. is a company based in San Francisco, California, that specializes in developing mobile phone applications. Founded in 2011, it offers the Hangtime application, which allows users to view their friends' upcoming social plans, including events such as concerts and poetry readings. This functionality helps eliminate missed opportunities for social interaction by providing a platform where individuals can discover and join activities that interest them. The Hangtime app is accessible on various platforms, including iPhone and Facebook, making it easy for users to stay connected with their friends' future engagements.

Nextdoor, Inc. is a social networking platform based in San Francisco that facilitates local conversations among residents. Founded in 2007, the company aims to foster connections within neighborhoods by allowing users to share recommendations, news updates, and resources while also promoting local businesses and services. Nextdoor enhances community engagement by offering features like the Help Map, which enables neighbors to offer assistance to those in need, particularly during crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic. With a presence in multiple countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and several European nations, Nextdoor seeks to create a sense of belonging and support among neighbors, emphasizing the importance of community in people's lives.

Pinterest, Inc. is a visual discovery engine that enables users to find inspiration for various aspects of their lives, such as recipes, home decor, fashion, and travel. Launched in 2010 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, the platform allows users to save and organize images on curated boards tailored to their personal interests. With a user base of nearly 500 million monthly active users, a significant portion of whom are female, Pinterest facilitates the discovery and sharing of creative ideas. The company generates revenue primarily through digital advertising and is increasingly incorporating e-commerce features within its platform. Although about 20% of its users are located in the US and Canada, this region accounted for approximately 80% of its revenue in 2023.

Couple is an app just for the two of you. It helps you stay connected, and feel close to each other. Whether it's texting, sharing videos, photos, sketching together and more, Couple let's your partner know that you're thinking about them. Couple was part of the YCombinator W2012 batch, and was formerly named Pair until they renamed to Couple on January 31st, 2013.

DIY.org is an online community designed for young people to explore and develop new skills in various activities such as dance, music, chess, singing, and yoga. Founded in 2011 and based in San Francisco, California, the platform allows users to create personal portfolios where they can showcase their projects and achievements. Members can earn skill badges and embroidered patches by completing challenges, fostering a sense of accomplishment and motivation. The platform encourages collaboration and social interaction among users, enabling them to inspire and learn from one another. As of July 2018, DIY.org operates as a subsidiary of littleBits Electronics Inc.

Everyme is a social networking application that allows users to communicate with groups at no cost, offering a more customizable and controlled alternative to traditional SMS messaging. It is accessible on both mobile devices and the web, enabling users to share text, photos, and videos while managing group settings and notifications. The platform emphasizes user privacy, granting individuals sole ownership of their shared content with a straightforward privacy policy that allows for data export and deletion at any time. Users can create personalized websites for sharing daily updates, fostering deeper connections through comments and multimedia sharing. Everyme is a self-funded startup located in San Francisco, California, and is available for download on both Android and iOS platforms.

Twitter is a social networking platform that facilitates the exchange of micro-blogs, known as "tweets," which can be up to 280 characters in length. Launched in 2006, it allows users to send and read tweets through various means, including web browsers, SMS, and mobile applications. With over 400 million monthly visitors and 255 million active users, Twitter serves as a global real-time communications platform. Its diverse user base includes world leaders, athletes, entertainers, and news organizations, contributing to its role as a significant source of information and engagement. The platform is available in more than 35 languages and has a strong presence in major cities worldwide, with headquarters in San Francisco and offices across the United States and internationally.