Oxford PhD graduates are behind Vybe, a new social media app that lets users playfully insert themselves into photos,creating shareable memes. This innovation comes on the heels of Google’s recent Pixel 9 feature, allowing users to add missing individuals to group photos.
Vybe’s unique selling point is its easy-to-use interface, allowing users to upload a selfie and seamlessly blend their face into any picture or template. Additionally, the app features a face-swap function for group photos and intelligently adjusts skin tone to ensure a natural look.
The app fosters a social environment with a feed showcasing creations from friends, encouraging users to engage and contribute their own content. Vybe claims a rapidly growing library of over 100,000 user-generated templates,highlighting the platform’s accessibility and ease of use.
While photo editing and face-swapping are central features, Vybe’s founders have broader ambitions. They aim to incorporate augmented reality and generative AI into future tools, emphasizing a focus on social connection.
The company’s potential has attracted $4.75 million in seed funding, led by Stellation Capital, with contributions from prominent investors including NFL player Kelvin Beachum and OpenAI’s Chief Product Officer Kevin Weil.
Vybe’s co-founders, Dr. Mandela Patrick and Dr. Arnab Ghosh, bring a wealth of experience in AI and social media to the table. Both hold PhDs from Oxford and have worked at Meta and Snap, respectively.
The founders envision Vybe as a tool for effortless creativity, drawing inspiration from Snapchat’s success with user-friendly features. They believe that Vybe’s simple and frictionless design, coupled with its unique format, has the potential to go mainstream.
While the social media landscape is competitive, Vybe hopes to differentiate itself by focusing on user engagement and creating a diverse range of formats. However, they acknowledge the importance of avoiding behaviors that might lead to user fatigue.
Vybe is currently available on both iOS and Android platforms, with plans to introduce video and animation support in the future. The company is exploring a range of revenue streams, including brand partnerships, advertising, and subscriptions.
While drawing comparisons to BeReal, an app that faced challenges with growth and monetization, Vybe’s founders and investors express confidence in their ability to succeed through user engagement and diverse content creation.
