BeFake, unlike other AI apps, doesn't require users to upload multiple selfies to start and applies AI-powered changes in under 30 seconds. The app generates revenue through subscriptions, which allow users to create AI images outside the time window or more than once per day. The company has seen triple-digit week-over-week growth since its launch on the App Store and Google Play. The seed funding round was led by Khosla Ventures, with participation from Next Coast Ventures, Maveron Ventures, Peter Thiel, Joe Lonsdale, and WS Investments.
Key takeaways:
- BeFake, a social networking app that uses AI technology to allow users to customize their photos, has raised $3 million in seed funding. The app was created by Alias Technologies, an applied AI company founded by Kristen Garcia Dumont and Tracy Tracy Lane, former executives of gaming giant Machine Zone.
- The app allows users to snap photos with both the front and back cameras and then customize their photos using AI technology. Users can use in-app presets or custom prompts to create AI-augmented visuals.
- Unlike other AI apps, BeFake doesn't require users to upload dozens of selfies to get started and applies its AI-powered changes in under 30 seconds. The augmented photos can be shared with friends or in the main discovery feed where AI creators could build a following.
- BeFake generates revenue through subscriptions which allow users to pay for the compute time to create the AI images. The subscriptions cost $2.99/week, $9.99/mo. or $99.99/year. However, the company does send a consistent push notification daily to alert users to a 20-minute block of time when they can use the app to make their AI images for free.