Exclusive: Eigen raises a seed round from Benchmark to build the world's first 'mutual friend'

Key Points:

• Eigen, a stealth AI startup focused on creating shared, synchronous experiences to reduce loneliness, has raised $15 million in a seed round led by Benchmark, with angel investors including Pinterest founder Ben Silbermann and Dreamer founder David Singleton.
• Founded by 22-year-old Paul Scherer, who self-taught coding and moved from Germany to San Francisco, Eigen aims to differentiate itself from AI companions like Replika by emphasizing pro-social technology that enriches real friendships rather than replacing them.
• The company’s vision challenges the current hyper-personalization trend in tech by seeking to build AI experiences that benefit communities collectively, addressing widespread social isolation highlighted by recent surveys.
• Eigen is assembling a unique "U-shaped" team combining experienced tech veterans and young creative builders, including former founders and a screenwriter, to innovate on product design and development.
• The seed funding will primarily support hiring efforts as Eigen works to develop its technology and prove its concept of fostering genuine human connection through AI.