Can a New Social Platform Rethink Social Media’s Impact?
Two of Silicon Valley’s best-known social media pioneers are backing a fresh attempt to rethink how people interact online. Twitter co-founder Biz Stone and Pinterest co-founder Evan Sharp have secured new funding for their startup, West Co, which aims to address what they see as the long-term negative effects of social media on users’ wellbeing.
The company has quietly begun rolling out its first product, offering an early glimpse into how its founders hope to reshape digital interaction.
West Co Secures $29 Million in Seed Funding
According to reports, West Co has raised $29 million, with Spark Capital leading the seed funding round. The details have been assembled by the Financial Times through a combination of interviews, regulatory filings, and job listings connected to the startup.
This funding signals strong investor confidence in the company’s vision—particularly notable given the crowded and often controversial social media landscape.
A Startup Born From Reflection on Social Media’s Consequences
Evan Sharp, who serves as CEO of West Co, has been open about the motivation behind the venture. He explained that the company emerged from a deeply reflective question:
“What could I build that might help address just some of the terrible devastation of the human mind and heart that we’ve wrought the last 15 years?”
This statement points directly to growing concerns around mental health, attention economics, and the broader societal impact of social platforms developed over the past decade and a half.
Inside Tangle: An App Built Around Intention
West Co’s first product, Tangle, launched in November as an invite-only app. Rather than focusing on endless feeds or viral content, Tangle opens with a simple but deliberate prompt:
“What’s your intention for today?”
Users are encouraged to share their goals with friends, a feature designed to help them, in Sharp’s words, “plan with intention, capture the reality of their days, and see the deeper threads that shape their life.”
The approach reflects a shift away from engagement-driven metrics toward more mindful, purpose-led digital interactions.
A Platform Still Taking Shape
Despite the early launch, West Co’s founders are clear that Tangle is still evolving. Biz Stone told the Financial Times that the app could undergo significant changes before it becomes widely available to the public.
This openness to iteration suggests the company is still experimenting with how best to balance social connection, personal reflection, and long-term user wellbeing.
Rethinking the Future of Social Apps
With experienced founders, substantial early funding, and a mission rooted in addressing social media’s unintended consequences, West Co represents a notable attempt to redefine what a social platform can be. Whether it can truly counter the damage its founders acknowledge remains to be seen—but the experiment itself reflects a broader shift in how the tech industry is reassessing its past.
0 Comments