Hunch raises $23M for new-age social discovery app

Hunch, a new social discovery app, has raised $23 Million to fuel its global expansion.

The Hunch app was created to transform social interactions and foster honest discussions through open and anonymous conversations and polls. The company is based in Dubai.

The round was led by Alpha Wave, Hashed, and other key investors. It marks a big moment for the app that has rapidly gained popularity, achieving Top 25 status on the Apple App Store and Top 50 on the Google Play Store within just six months of its inception.

The latest investment injection aims to catapult Hunch into the U.S. market and build its presence in India. Users on Hunch participate in creating polls that cover an extensive array of topics, from pop culture and gaming to finance, dating, relationships, anime, and more. These polls act as a bridge, connecting users with similar interests and providing a unique platform for validating opinions.

Hunch has already witnessed the creation of over 115,000 polls, amassing 10 million opinions from users across the nation. The app has become a go-to destination for authentic, meaningful connections, allowing users to engage in judgment-free conversations.

Ish Goel, CEO of Hunch, said in a statement, “We believe Hunch has achieved PMF, and this is a good time to celebrate this news with the community. This investment underscores our commitment to making Hunch the go-to destination for authentic, meaningful connections for young adults.”

Hunch distinguishes itself by promoting genuine, anonymous discussions, offering users a platform to ask questions they might find challenging to pose in real life. Each poll initiates a judgment-free conversation, fostering diverse opinions and connections.

Tak Lee, managing partner at Hashed Emergent, said in a statement, “With fatigue growing among Gen Z around apps that promote vicarious living, there is a big opportunity to build something that promotes being real without the filters.”

The app integrates generative AI at its core, exemplified by its solution to the societal pressure of an ideal profile picture. After answering 15 poll questions on Hunch, users receive an AI-generated avatar, eliminating the need for a real profile picture.

Hunch plans to use the funding to expand its reach in the U.S. and India, introducing new features based on user insights.

Launched in December 2022, Hunch, headquartered in Dubai with offices in India and Singapore, wants to redefine social interactions, prioritizing curiosity over conformity and fostering authentic connections as the ultimate reward.

The company is the brainchild of seasoned co-ounders—CEO Ish Goel, CPO Nitika Goel, and CMO Kartic
Rakhra.

Originally appeared on: TheSpuzz