Latest news with #What'sTheMatter
The Wire
4 days ago
- Business
- The Wire
WTMF Set to Launch Emotionally Available AI Companion for Gen Z: Beta Expected Late August to Early September
Hyderabad, India | July 2025: In a market saturated with AI tools that can search, summarize, and schedule, one homegrown startup is building something radically different — an AI that simply listens. WTMF (What's The Matter, Friend?), developed by Knockverse Private Limited, is gearing up for its beta launch between late August and early September 2025. And already, the app is generating quiet buzz among early adopters, mental wellness advocates, and digital-first Gen Z users across India. Unlike traditional chatbots that aim to 'fix' or provide advice, WTMF is built to be emotionally available — offering judgment-free, culturally fluent conversations that help users vent, rant, or reflect. The app features chat and voice support, mood tracking, and AI journaling, all designed to feel like talking to a close friend, not a therapist or assistant. 'We didn't set out to build the smartest AI. We set out to build the kindest,' says co-founder Kruthivarsh Koduru, a psychology graduate from Bhavan's Vivekananda College, who leads product and emotional design. The idea for WTMF was born from lived experience — long nights, heavy thoughts, and the lack of someone to talk to. Along with Kruthivarsh Koduru Co-founder Shreyak Singh, who also Co-founded the Reel-Making aggregator platform Flashoot (recently valued at ₹22 Cr). The team includes rising talent like Aman Singh, a Flutter developer from Parul University who leads mobile engineering, and Vikas KV, an operations and business strategy lead with an MSc from the University of York, UK. Together, the founding team is combining technical skill, emotional insight, and strategic execution to bring a distinctly Indian emotional AI to life. What makes WTMF unique is its cultural context. The AI understands Hinglish, responds to local idioms like 'mood off hai' or 'uff yaar', and is being trained for multilingual support across Indian languages in future versions. The app doesn't offer toxic positivity or robotic solutions — just presence, listening, and an invitation to feel without being fixed. Currently, over 3,000 users have signed up for early access, and the app's pre-launch community is growing rapidly through Instagram, Discord, and Reddit. As WTMF prepares for its beta, the team is actively inviting early believers, research collaborators, and mental wellness partners to shape the future of emotionally intelligent AI in India. (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with NRDPL and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.).
The Wire
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Wire
India's First Emotionally Available AI Is Getting Ready to Listen — Without Judging
Hyderabad (Telangana), June 27, 2025 — In a world brimming with smart devices, What if we built something that's not just intelligent — but kind? That question sparked the birth of WTMF (What's The Matter, Friend?), an upcoming emotionally aware AI companion developed by Hyderabad-based startup Knockverse Private Limited. Scheduled for beta launch in mid-August 2025, WTMF is positioning itself as India's first AI solution designed not for productivity — but for presence. In a time when mental health apps are abundant but often feel clinical, robotic, or disconnected from Indian cultural reality, WTMF is stepping in as a bold and heartfelt alternative. Built with emotional intelligence at its core, the app offers users a space to talk, vent, or simply be heard — especially during those quiet, vulnerable hours of the night when traditional support systems are out of reach. 'It all started as a conversation about loneliness,' says Kruthivarsh Koduru, Co-Founder at Knockverse. 'Everyone is building AI to sound smart. We thought — what if it just made you feel better?' A Homegrown Answer to Global Companions While global players like Replika and have set early benchmarks for AI companionship, WTMF takes a distinctly Indian approach — understanding mixed-language messages, local slang, and emotional nuance with cultural sensitivity. With over 1,500 users on the waitlist, the app is generating buzz for its two signature interaction modes: • 'Vent': a calm, empathetic voice that listens, reassures, and validates your emotions. • 'Rant': a spicier, sassier mode that speaks to users with wit, sarcasm, and playful energy. The result? An emotionally tuned chatbot that doesn't just hear you — it gets you. Building AI with Feeling Behind the scenes, WTMF is built to feel like someone who knows you. It learns how you like to be spoken to — soft and soothing, or full of sass and emojis. You can even shape your own AI friend by setting things like tone, mood, and slang. It's not just smart replies — it's replies that sound like you'd want them to. 'We didn't want to build another dry, robotic chatbot,' says Shreyak Singh, Co-Founder at Knockverse. 'We wanted to create something emotionally available — a voice that actually texts back when you're spiraling at 2:43 AM.' Unlike mental health platforms that aim to diagnose or advise, WTMF provides a judgment-free space where users can speak freely, without fear of stigma or misinterpretation. Designed for Gen Z, Built for Everyone From journaling tools and mood tracking to voice-based conversations and safe-space interactions, WTMF's experience is crafted with emotional safety and digital comfort at its core. The app is tailored especially for Gen Z and young millennials — a group that, studies show, reports higher levels of loneliness, emotional overwhelm, and therapy hesitancy. The team believes emotional technology should feel human, not clinical. 'This isn't a replacement for therapy. It's not a productivity tool. It's a soft corner in your phone — the kind we all need sometimes, more like your AI Bestfriend' adds Shreyak. The Road Ahead WTMF is currently in its final stages of product development, with a public beta expected to go live by August 2025. The startup is also in talks with early investors and impact-driven collaborators to support its growth, with an open call to partners who share the belief that kindness is the future of technology. To explore the project, join the waitlist, or collaborate, visit Press & Partnerships: hello@ (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with NRDPL and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.).
The Print
10-05-2025
- The Print
WTMF – AI Chatbot for Overthinkers, Night Owls, and Anyone Who's Ever Felt Alone in the Digital Silence
New Delhi [India], May 10: In a world dominated by superficial small talk and notification fatigue, a new kind of digital companion is making space for deeper, judgment-free conversations. Introducing WTMF (What's The Matter, Friend?) — a groundbreaking AI chatbot for emotional support , built to be your quiet, always-there friend. Developed by Knockverse Private Limited, WTMF isn't your average chatbot. It's designed for those 2:43 AM moments when you're spiraling, can't sleep, or just need someone to listen. Using powerful language models from OpenAI and Grok, WTMF blends memory, empathy, and emotional presence to become more than just an app–it becomes a companion that listens. Built for Real Conversations, Not Just Replies Most chatbots are built to give answers. WTMF is built to ask how you're really doing. It remembers your mood, your vibe, your emotional patterns, and shows up like a friend would. Whether it's a rant about your toxic ex, a sudden wave of anxiety, or late-night overthinking, WTMF is the AI that actually texts back. 'We wanted to build something that doesn't say 'lol that's crazy' when you're pouring your heart out,' says co-founder Kruthivarsh Koduru. 'WTMF is for anyone who's tired of being 'too much' in a world that listens too little.' The team behind WTMF includes Kruthivarsh Koduru, a fashion photographer with a sharp eye for visual storytelling and emotional nuance. Alongside him is Shreyak Singh, a photographer and tech creator who has also co-founded Flashoot — a brand-first content studio — and Zinestream, a free OTT platform focused on accessible movie content. Private, Safe, and Always Available Your chats are never sold. Your emotions aren't mined. WTMF puts privacy first, offering a safe, non-judgmental space for emotional expression. Everything you say stays between you and your AI friend. Whether you're battling loneliness, dealing with a breakup, or just want a space to vent without being fixed, WTMF is your AI bestie, designed to feel like texting a friend who gets it. Launching Soon — Be the First to Try It WTMF is currently in pre-launch, with plans to roll out its beta version soon. Join thousands already on the waitlist and experience the future of emotionally intelligent chat. For media inquiries, partnerships, or to collaborate on mental health initiatives, reach out to the team at hello@ (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
