AI agents, IRL socializing, and vibe coding: Where top consumer investors are placing bets
Venture capitalists are increasingly investing in social startups that leverage AI to foster human connection, moving away from the media-centric models of previous social giants. Key areas of interest include 'vibe coding,' AI-driven dating apps, and platforms designed for real-world socialization.
Why it matters
This shift indicates a potential evolution in the internet economy, where AI is used to facilitate genuine social interaction rather than just content consumption.
Investors Niko Bonatsos (Verdict Capital), Marina Girgis (Precursor Ventures), and Amy Wu Martin (Menlo Ventures) are backing social startups in the AI era. Kimberly White/Getty Images; Courtesy of Precursor Ventures; Courtesy of Menlo Ventures Top consumer VCs are betting on AI apps that make the internet more social. Vibe coding, AI dating, and IRL social platforms are attracting fresh capital. Investors said agents can reshape how consumers connect and create. Investors are hunting for social media startups that can spark new connections and nurture existing ones. "Social media companies started based on connection," Shawn Carolan, a partner at Menlo Ventures, said of the previous wave of giants like Facebook and Instagram. Carolan said these companies "evolved into media companies" and abandoned that connection. That leaves an opening in the market.
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