Jenny Shao, a former Harvard medical resident, left her career in medicine to launch Robyn, an AI-powered emotional support assistant designed to help users navigate their feelings and personal growth.
Unlike therapy or friendship apps such as Replika or Character.AI, Robyn aims to act as an emotionally intelligent partner rather than a replacement for human relationships or clinical care. “Robyn is not a therapist; it’s someone who understands you deeply and supports you,” Shao explained.
Built with insights from Shao’s neuroscience research under Nobel Laureate Eric Kandel, the app mimics human memory to recall past interactions and learn about each user over time. Through guided chats, Robyn helps users understand emotional patterns, attachment styles, and communication traits.
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To maintain user safety, Robyn includes built-in crisis resources and limits potentially harmful interactions. The app also refuses irrelevant or unsafe requests and offers users mental health resources when needed.
The startup recently raised $5.5 million in seed funding led by M13, with backing from investors such as Google Maps co-founder Lars Rasmussen and early Canva investor Bill Tai. Rasmussen praised Robyn for addressing “a massive disconnection problem” by fostering emotional self-awareness and healthier relationships.
Now available on iOS for $19.99/month or $199/year, Robyn joins the growing wave of AI tools focused on emotional well-being, blending human empathy with intelligent digital support.
