Affiniti by Founders by LightShed Ventures

Overview

• Podcast Episode: Founders by LightShed Ventures
• Date: January 31, 2025
• Duration: 46:51

Featured Companies and Founders

Status

• Founder: Fai Nur
• Description: A simulated social media game powered by AI, similar to Sims for social media.
• Key Features:
  • Merges social media, fandom, entertainment, AI, and interactive gaming.
  • Surpassed 500,000 Daily Active Users (DAUs) in its first month.
  • Users spend an average of over 80 minutes per day.
  • Real-time AI NPCs create personalized social networks.
  • Direct messaging with AI NPCs and upcoming multiplayer features.
• Monetization: Generated over $400,000 in gross revenue early on.
• Mission: Transform users into active creators and influencers.
• Goals: Expects to reach 1 million DAUs shortly, with 10 million as a long-term goal.

Affiniti

• Founder: Aaron Bai
• Description: A fast-growing SMB fintech platform.
• Funding: Raised over $62M in capital.
• Features:
  • Partners with industry trade associations to deliver financial tech solutions tailored for SMBs.
  • Products include credit cards, loans, and expense management technology.
• Vision: Become a tech-driven JP Morgan Chase for small businesses.
• Discussed Topics:
  • Product distribution and trade associations.
  • Success compared to competitors like Brex and Ramp.
  • Plans for product expansion.
  • Customer acquisition and trust-building strategies.

Breach

• Founder: Eyhab Aejaz
• Description: A global insurance underwriter for the crypto space.
• Focus: Creates regulated solutions for crypto enterprises and individuals.
• Key Points:
  • Serves as risk management tools for digital assets.
  • Discussed regulatory landscape and competitive advantage.
  • Challenges with underwriting crypto due to limited historical data.

Telly

• Founder: Ilya Pozin
• Description: Transforms TV experience with a dual-screen, ad-supported television.
• Features:
  • 55-inch 4K HDR main display and a secondary smart screen.
  • Offers interactive experiences and a variety of services, including Zoom video calls and smart home controls.
• Business Model: Free to consumers, supported by advertising.
• Discussion Points:
  • Advertiser engagement and monetization.
  • Privacy management and future innovations.

Workweek

• Founder: Adam Ryan
• Description: A platform for niche professions combining content, community, and software.
• Details:
  • Operates across 8 professional verticals.
  • Content created by industry experts.
  • Monetizes beyond advertising.
• Ambitions: Aims to become a billion-dollar business.

Key Concepts and Innovations

• AI and Gaming Fusion: Status is pioneering in blending interactive gaming with social media.
• SMB Fintech Solutions: Affiniti focuses on custom solutions for small businesses, often overlooked by larger fintech companies.
• Crypto Insurance: Breach is addressing the insurance needs in the burgeoning crypto market.
• Ad-Supported TV: Telly offers a novel model of free, high-tech televisions subsidized by advertising.
• Creator-Driven Platforms: Workweek leverages the expertise of industry creators for tailored content and community engagement.

Goals and Future Plans

• Status: Aim for significant growth in user base and engagement.
• Affiniti: Expand product offerings and trade association partnerships.
• Breach: Continue pioneering insurance solutions for digital assets.
• Telly: Enhance consumer interaction and advertising models.
• Workweek: Scale to a billion-dollar valuation by leveraging niche content and community.