"Rent a Cyber Friend": A Leading Platform That Pays You to Talk to Strangers Online, Set to Launch at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

Introduction and Platform Idea

Francesco Vitali, co-founder of "Rent a Cyber Friend," revealed that he initially didn't fully grasp his partner Chris Siametis's idea. Vitali wondered, "Who would pay someone just to talk?" But Siametis, a millennial while Vitali is Gen X, firmly believed in his vision. After two decades of working together managing the 48FILM International Short Film Festival, Vitali trusted his partner and decided to embark on this new adventure: a video chat platform that allows users to pay by the minute for casual conversations with a "cyber friend."

"Rent a Cyber Friend" has seen exceptional growth, reaching 3 million registered users without any venture capital funding or marketing spend. The company doesn't even have social media accounts due to a limited team. The startup will participate in Startup Battlefield and will showcase its platform at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 later this month in San Francisco.

The Demand for Human Connection and the Platform's Mission

The company's rapid growth proved Vitali's initial skepticism wrong. Through his own experience with the product, he realized there's an immense demand for human connection, especially in an era where many turn to Artificial Intelligence robots. Vitali asserts that "loneliness is the greatest ailment in our world today." Millions live under the burden of loneliness, suffering from a lack of job opportunities or searching for meaning in their lives. Thus, the idea of establishing a platform that restores human value and makes human connection the core of the experience emerged. Global statistics indicate that over 60% of people feel lonely at some point in their lives, with young people aged 18 to 34 being the most vulnerable. Social media platforms can also increase feelings of isolation, and loneliness is linked to an increased risk of premature death and negative impacts on mental and physical health [Source].

How "Cyber Friend" Works and Safety

"Cyber Friends" undergo an initial verification process to confirm their identity, after which they can set a per-minute rate for their conversations; the platform retains 20% of this fee. Payment isn't solely for companionship; some Cyber Friends charge higher rates if they are accredited academics or experts in a specific field, or if they are proficient in a particular language the user wishes to practice.

Safety and content management represent a significant challenge for any social communication platform, especially those connecting people via real-time video chats. Vitali notes that the platform includes a blocking feature, but as the company continues to grow, it will need to invest more in maintaining a healthy and secure environment. He stated that the next step on the product roadmap is to develop a more robust and efficient system for quickly and accurately vetting potential Cyber Friends.

The Moment of Realization and Future Vision

The crucial turning point for Vitali came shortly after the company's launch, when he connected with a 19-year-old from China. He noticed this person was one of the most active users on the site, spending $200 daily to talk to people. Vitali modified the site to be the only available Cyber Friend and took the opportunity to ask the user about his experience without revealing he was the company's founder.

Vitali recalls: "He said, 'I don't feel safe going out to the mall and meeting strangers, but this site gives me the opportunity to exchange cultures and meet people from all over the world,' and that was the first moment I realized we had something special here."

Vitali still believes that the connections people make in person are irreplaceable. But in an online world where people are drawn to addictive connections or dangerous interactions with Artificial Intelligence robots designed to maximize engagement, this step towards humanity means a lot to him.

Join Us at TechCrunch Disrupt

If you want to learn more about "Rent a Cyber Friend" from the company itself, in addition to exploring dozens of other startups, listening to their pitches, and hearing guest speakers across four different stages, join us at Disrupt, from October 27-29, in San Francisco.