Berlin-based startup Born, led by CEO and co-founder Fabian Kamberi, has secured a $15M Series A, bringing its total funding to $25M from backers including Accel, Tencent, and Laton Ventures. The company, formerly known as Slay, is building AI companions designed to foster connection rather than isolation, with a focus on shared experiences.
Born’s flagship app Pengu, a generative AI-powered virtual pet, encourages users to co-parent and play with friends or partners, attracting more than 15 million users worldwide. With fresh funding, the company plans to release new characters, expand its AI research, and open a New York office led by Enrico Dal Re.
Kamberi emphasized that the future of consumer AI lies in emotionally intelligent companions that deepen real-world relationships, moving beyond one-to-one chatbot models.
Featured image: Credit: Born
