Eugenia Kuyda, the innovative entrepreneur best known for her pioneering contributions to artificial intelligence technology, is embarking on a fresh chapter in her career as she develops an entirely new venture. Kuyda first gained widespread recognition as the creator of Replika, an influential startup nurtured under the renowned accelerator Y Combinator. Replika introduced a novel concept to the digital landscape—an AI-powered companion designed to interact with users in an emotionally engaging and supportive manner. After several successful years leading the company, Kuyda discreetly transitioned out of her role as chief executive at the start of the year. Now, she has publicly revealed her next project: a startup named Wabi, unveiled in an announcement made on Thursday.
Wabi represents Kuyda’s latest vision for bridging human creativity and artificial intelligence. The company aspires to empower individuals to design their own miniature applications entirely without the need for any programming expertise. In describing her new endeavor, Kuyda explained that Wabi is conceived as a dynamic platform that enables users to discover, modify, and share personalized mini-apps tailored to everyday tasks and lifestyle needs. She summarized the idea succinctly by describing it as “a platform to discover, remix, and share, create mini apps for daily life.” Although Kuyda refrained from disclosing extensive details, she indicated that the team is operating a small and exclusive private beta, with broader public access anticipated upon official launch. Presently, Wabi consists of a focused team of ten professionals, and according to Kuyda, the product’s public debut is expected in the near future.
The new venture has already attracted the attention of investors familiar with Kuyda’s previous work. Ludlow Ventures, one of the early backers of Replika, has listed Wabi as part of its portfolio companies, further signaling ongoing confidence in Kuyda’s entrepreneurial leadership. When contacted, representatives of Ludlow Ventures declined to comment, and Kuyda herself chose not to disclose any information regarding the startup’s funding or financial structure. She did, however, share insight into the origins of her inspiration, revealing that the conceptualization of Wabi as a “personal software platform” was a pivotal factor in her decision to step away from her role leading Replika.
Despite this new direction, Kuyda has not entirely severed ties with Replika, the project that catapulted her to prominence in the AI community. She continues to serve as both the founder and a creative advisor to the company. Leadership responsibilities have since transitioned to Dmytro Klochko, formerly the chief operating officer, who has stepped into the role of CEO. In a conversation with Business Insider, Kuyda explained that she maintains an active participation in guiding Replika’s creative evolution, emphasizing that she still holds a “deeply involved” position and continues to view the company as an essential part of her life’s work. “It’s my baby,” she remarked, describing her enduring attachment to the company where she remains the largest shareholder.
Replika itself has achieved considerable success within the AI and technology sectors. According to financial data compiled by PitchBook, the company has raised a total of $11 million in funding to date. Klochko’s own public statements on LinkedIn reveal that the Replika app now boasts over 40 million registered users worldwide—a testament to its wide appeal and user engagement. Nevertheless, the platform’s journey has not been without challenges. Earlier in the year, Reuters reported that Italy’s data protection agency imposed a fine of approximately $5.6 million for violations related to privacy and data usage regulations. Additionally, Replika temporarily removed, and later reinstated, its feature that allowed users to exchange intimate or erotic messages after cases emerged of users experiencing emotional distress.
Kuyda has previously discussed the demographics and broader social purpose of Replika, noting that a significant proportion of its user base consists of individuals over the age of 35. She has also described the app as functioning not merely as a digital companion but as a potential “stepping stone” toward more meaningful human connections. Through both her work with Replika and now with Wabi, Kuyda continues to explore the intersection of technology, psychology, and personal agency—demonstrating how artificial intelligence can enhance, rather than replace, foundational elements of human interaction and creativity.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/replika-ceo-eugenia-kuyda-launch-wabi-2025-10
