Cocoon’s social app for close friends gets VC backing to chase Path’s dream

INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
commercial and too influencer-y, the result is that your most important relationships have been relegated to the lowest common denominator
tool on your phones: your texting app.Cocoon, a startup from a couple of ex-Facebook employees that went through YC earlier this year, is
hoping to create the dedicated software that you use for that most important group chat in your life
The iOS-only app is a bit of a cross between Life360, Slack and Path.While Life360 is the app for concerned parents, Cocoon wants to be the
app for curious long-distance families who want to check on their family and closest friends more easily
The app is structured around a Slack channel-like feed where photo, text and location updates can be pushed alongside threaded replies
or work based on group-designated locations
similarity there
to Cocoon is what goes down in the small groups you have in iMessage or any of your other chat apps
A lot is still in flux just one day after launch and the founders are hoping they can learn more about what people want from the app from
its earliest users.Like Path, the startup has a noble goal but a social app with dramatically lessened network effects certainly seems like
it might have some sustainability issues
pricing model to sustain the business
cash to sustain things on their own for a while
Cocoon wrapped a $3 million seed round in May led by Lerer Hippeau with Y Combinator, Susa Ventures, Norwest Venture Partners, Advancit
Capital, Foundation Capital, iNovia, Shrug Capital and SV Angel also participating.