alms - Social App for Real-World Impact

A New Approach to Social Networking: Introducing Alms

Several startups are currently exploring innovative concepts for the next generation of social applications. Alms, a new venture, proposes a social network centered around user well-being. This is achieved through engagement with creator-led challenges focused on areas such as personal development and sustainability, and other pursuits with positive societal effects.

Focus on Real-World Engagement

Unlike conventional social apps that prioritize the accumulation of “likes,” Alms is designed to foster tangible, real-world participation. This is accomplished through its challenges and the defined actions required for completion.

According to Alms founder, Alexander Nevedovsky, the core objective is to create an application that actively contributes to a happier and more fulfilling life for its users. This contrasts sharply with the capabilities of many existing social media platforms.

Origins During the Pandemic

Development of the project commenced in early 2020, coinciding with the onset of the pandemic.

Nevedovsky explains that many individuals were experiencing feelings of isolation and sadness due to limited access to friends and family. He believed there was a need for something beyond conventional self-improvement tools like meditation or mood tracking, which, while valuable, don’t necessarily translate into daily, real-world improvements.

Evolving into a Social Community

The initial release of Alms last year, however, lacked a key element for sustained user engagement. While users were initially drawn to the concept, participation rates eventually declined. Recognizing this, the startup strategically shifted its focus towards building a more robust social community.

Onboarding and Interest Selection

Upon launching the redesigned Alms app, users are guided through a brief onboarding process. This involves selecting interests from three primary categories: personal growth, sustainability, and impact.

For example, the “personal growth” category encompasses areas like mental health, wellness, spirituality, and relationships. “Sustainability” centers on environmental and nature-related interests, while “impact” includes activism, volunteering, and community involvement.

Challenges and Step-by-Step Guidance

Following setup, users can follow creators who post challenges or directly join individual challenges. Each challenge consists of a series of steps that must be completed for full participation.

As an illustration, a challenge aimed at enhancing a work-from-home lifestyle might guide users to optimize their workspace, establish work-life boundaries (including scheduled breaks), and incorporate physical activity into their daily routines.

Inspiring Others Through Shared Progress

As users complete each step within a challenge, they are encouraged to share their experiences in the challenge’s feed, inspiring others. However, Nevedovsky emphasizes that accumulating likes and comments is not the primary goal of Alms.

“We envision a significant opportunity to empower experts in these fields – personal growth, sustainability, and various forms of impact – to amplify their reach through our platform,” he states. “We provide them with a scalable means to share their knowledge and content, enabling users to actively implement their recommendations, rather than simply liking or commenting on them.”

Current Creator Base and User Growth

Currently, Alms features approximately 30 creators sharing content through challenges, with an additional 15 in the onboarding process. The company aims to expand this number to a couple of hundred in the coming months. The updated version of the app has already attracted a user base of several thousand.

Community Participation and User Experience

Many challenges have attracted hundreds of participants, creating a sense of collective engagement. However, some users might prefer the option to make story posting optional, as not every step warrants a dedicated post. Overly frequent updates could potentially clutter the feed with less substantial content.

Company Background and Funding

Alms was co-founded with Palta, a startup studio responsible for apps such as Flo.Health, Simple Fasting, and Zing Fitness Coach. Palta holds a majority stake in Alms, and the company currently operates without external investment.

A distributed team of fourteen individuals is dedicated to the development of the Alms app, which is presently not monetized.

Future Monetization Strategies

Nevedovsky indicates that the team is exploring potential monetization models, including a token-based economy or a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) that could offer real-world rewards. This could involve participation in Alms’ governance or access to a creator fund. Initially, these tokens would not be tradeable. In-app tipping is also being considered, but no definitive decisions have been made as Alms continues to refine its product-market fit and expand its user base.

Appealing to Mindful Users

In conclusion, Alms appears to be a compelling option for individuals seeking a more mindful and impactful approach to social media. It provides inspiration and direction for those looking to make positive changes in their lives.

“Many people focus on future outcomes without actively working towards them,” Nevedovsky observes. “An app that provides ideas and guidance from knowledgeable individuals is incredibly valuable, especially when coupled with a supportive community. People on Alms genuinely care.”

Potential Challenges and Availability

The app is well-designed and user-friendly, but it may still face the challenge of retaining users amidst the intense competition for attention on mobile devices.

Alms is currently available as a free download on iOS only.