Boardy, an AI-driven professional networking startup, announced on Thursday that it has successfully closed a $3 million pre-seed funding round. The company was co-founded by CEO Andrew D’Souza along with brothers Ankur and Abhinav Boyed. The idea originated in March, with development taking place over the summer, culminating in an official launch this month. The process is straightforward: users provide their phone number to Boardy. ai and receive a call from Boardy, an AI voice assistant. During the call, users share details about their current projects, and Boardy searches its network for potential connections that could be of assistance. Currently, this network comprises a few thousand individuals, initially drawn from D’Souza’s connections with investors, founders, and creators, which has since expanded. Boardy primarily serves those seeking to connect with customers and investors, and has also aided users in securing spots in accelerator programs and finding co-founders. According to D’Souza, “If Boardy identifies someone who could be a good match based on their backgrounds and compatibilities, he will facilitate a double-opt-in introduction. ” Once both parties agree, Boardy introduces them via email. Users can also call Boardy weekly for new introductions. D’Souza explained that the company was founded in response to the increasing loneliness stemming from social media. Research indicates that America is experiencing a loneliness epidemic that predates the pandemic.

He expressed concerns that AI could worsen this issue, as it may threaten jobs and human interaction. In contrast to other startups creating AI companions—sometimes with unsettling outcomes—Boardy leverages AI to foster human connections. “We developed Boardy to envision a future where AI enhances our connectivity and where humans and AI work together to address some of society’s most pressing challenges, ” D’Souza stated. Prior to Boardy, D’Souza co-founded and led the e-commerce firm Clearco. After nearly ten years, he transitioned out when the company required a more seasoned executive for capital markets, allowing him to pursue new ventures. Fundraising for Boardy was relatively easy, as most of the investments came from individuals D’Souza met during his time at Clearco. HF0 was the principal investor, joined by others like 8VC, Precursor, Afore, FJ Labs, and NextView. “Looking ahead, I hope to connect with more investors through Boardy, ” he mentioned. The new capital will be used to further develop and refine Boardy’s AI, making it smarter and more empathetic. The team is also working on expanding Boardy’s network to enhance user connectivity. Currently, Boardy faces minimal competition, although there are companies exploring AI social networking, such as Butterflies and SocialAI. Several AI firms assist in building consumer agents and managing interactions, but D’Souza believes Boardy stands apart, emphasizing that the AI agent “operates independently. ” “You can seek assistance from Boardy, and he’ll endeavor to help you, but without compromising others in his network, ” he added. “You can’t dictate Boardy’s actions, which ultimately makes him more reliable. ”