Chptr, an application designed for sharing and preserving memories of departed loved ones, has successfully secured $1.5 million in seed funding. The app offers a platform for individuals to encapsulate the essence of their loved ones’ lives by inviting others to contribute and store stories, images, audio messages, videos, and more in a centralized space.
Founded in 2020 by Rehan Choudhry, the inspiration for Chptr arose when he assisted his wife, a CBS New York news anchor, in creating video tributes for the initial victims of COVID-19 in New York City. Choudhry observed the videos serving as a poignant gathering point for grieving individuals, extending the usual 90-day mourning process. This realization prompted him to develop an accessible solution for everyone, leading to the creation of Chptr.
The app enables users to stay connected with friends and family, facilitating the discovery of lesser-known aspects of their loved one’s life. Users can collect and store memories, recording anecdotes on-the-go within the app. Chptr encourages ongoing conversations and remembrance, aiming to foster a collective celebration of the person’s life among those who cared for them.
Currently boasting nearly 4,000 users spanning 900 memorials, Chptr is experiencing a 20% month-over-month growth. It accommodates memorials ranging from those who passed away a week ago to 25 years ago, emphasizing its inclusivity beyond recent losses.
Chptr distinguishes itself from traditional obituaries and funerals by democratizing the sharing of memories. It aspires to be not only a business-to-consumer (B2C) platform but also has a business-to-business (B2B) focus. The startup seeks to support memorialization efforts for various entities, including news organizations, TV networks, nonprofits, and medical centers. By simplifying the process of collecting life stories, Chptr aims to provide organizations with curated collections directly sourced from a person’s loved ones.
The recent seed funding round, led by Grit Capital Partners and featuring participation from Singularity Capital, Lolita Taub’s Ganas Ventures, Tubbs Ventures, Gaingels, Lucas Venture Group, and Accel Starter, will be allocated to product development and marketing initiatives. This follows Chptr’s $2.4 million pre-seed funding round in the summer of 2022.
Looking ahead, Chptr envisions creating the largest centralized database and learning resource for life stories. The startup aims to build 100 million memorials with contributions from over a billion people, aspiring to construct a content-rich “Wikipedia of life” that ensures the perpetual remembrance of individuals. Chptr is available on both iOS and Android platforms.
