SAN FRANCISCO (January 29, 2024) – Meeno, a new relationship advice app powered by AI, today announced its official launch on the App Store in Australia and New Zealand. Founded by former Tinder CEO and Headspace exec Renate Nyborg, the iOS app provides actionable advice for enhancing everyday relationships, from friends to family, from romance to workplace.

After almost a year of research, development, and talking to young people, Meeno believes that meeting young people where they are (on their phone) with technology can be part of reversing the global loneliness epidemic. Meeno isn’t a virtual girlfriend, boyfriend, or clinical therapy app. It instead offers non-judgemental, 24/7, private advice to help people build close, meaningful relationships. Meeno is focused on Gen Z and Millennials (currently 73% of users) and helps people transform everyday relationships by delivering personalized tips and practicing conversations. 

"At Meeno, we’re motivated by the insight that having close, meaningful connections is the number one predictor of both mental and physical health. Yet, with rising social anxiety, people are increasingly struggling to be vulnerable and forge deep bonds. With Meeno, we offer a pocket guide to everyday relationship goals and issues to help users build the skills to nurture fulfilling relationships. Whilst it may seem counter-intuitive, a year of user testing has given us confidence that we can leverage technology for good and reduce social anxiety. We like to think of Meeno as Remy in Ratatouille, except instead of helping people make amazing soup, we’re teaching them to be vulnerable, empathetic and confident in their human interactions!” said Meeno Founder and CEO Renate Nyborg.

With 1 in 3 Aussies feeling lonely, the need for Meeno’s expert-informed, private advice couldn’t be stronger. Meeno’s own data confirms that people are craving support and close connections: 

• The majority of Australians and New Zealanders between 18-34 turn to digital tools for relationship advice. 9 in 10 respondents (86%) admitted using services like Google, ChatGPT, and social media to find solutions when relationships get rocky. (I)

• Less than half (43%) said they feel comfortable being vulnerable about relationship problems with even their closest confidants. This signals a strong preference for the anonymity and unbiased perspective offered by online tools over the messiness and judgment of "real-life" conversations, even with best friends.

With the launch in Australia and New Zealand, Meeno is currently available to download for iOS in Australia, New Zealand and Finland. With future launches planned in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands, interested people can also pre-order Meeno on the App Store.

To date, Meeno has raised nearly $5 million, led by Sequoia Capital with participation from AI Fund and NEA, and will use this funding to further develop its machine learning technologies and mobile app. Since raising Meeno’s pre-seed, Nyborg has hired a California-based team with experience hailing from Duolingo, Headspace, Tinder, Grindr, Apple, Amazon, Instagram, and a variety of AI/ML startups. Meeno’s development is supported by its Board Member, Andrew Ng, a renowned AI leader and the founder of Coursera.

About Meeno

Meeno is a relationship advice app, informed by experts and powered by generative AI. Meeno’s mission is to deliver actionable advice for everyday relationships. Its iOS app harnesses AI/ML to enhance all relationships: from friends to romance, from family to work. Meeno is founded by former Tinder CEO, Renate Nyborg, and backed by Sequoia and Andrew Ng’s AI Fund. To learn more, visit: https://meeno.com/ 

Press Contacts: meeno@smallgirlspr.com 

I. Data from a January 2024 survey of 500 respondents aged 18-34 in Australia and New Zealand