Intro App Secures Funding from Andreessen Horowitz & Kevin Durant

Intro: Revolutionizing Access to Expert Advice

The concept of seeking guidance isn't novel, yet Intro is innovating how individuals connect with highly sought-after professionals through personalized, one-on-one video consultations.

Company Origins and Founding Vision

Founded in 2020, Intro is a Los Angeles-based company established by entrepreneur Raad Mobrem. Previously, Mobrem was the founder of Lettuce, a business operating system later acquired by Intuit in 2014.

Mobrem’s inspiration stemmed from a formative encounter with Kinko’s founder Paul Orfalea during his youth, where he received invaluable entrepreneurial insights.

The Power of Mentorship

“I gleaned more about entrepreneurship in 15 minutes than I could have through any other means,” Mobrem shared with TechCrunch. “That conversation proved deeply inspiring, and Paul subsequently became a lifelong mentor as my own entrepreneurial journey unfolded.”

This experience fueled the creation of Intro, with a core mission to democratize access to individuals excelling in their respective fields. Mobrem observes that many successful individuals benefited from guidance from those who came before them. Expanding this access, he believes, empowers others to acquire knowledge and implement it effectively.

The Intro Platform and Expert Network

Users can establish accounts via the Intro website or iOS app and explore a diverse marketplace of experts spanning style, wellness, business, home design, beauty, and astrology.

The platform already features a curated roster of prominent figures, including stylist Rachel Zoe (also an investor and advisor through Rachel Zoe Ventures), interior designer Nate Berkus, and registered dietitian McKel Kooienga.

Expert Control and Flexibility

For experts, the app provides a self-service system for managing schedules, processing payments, and conducting video calls. Experts retain control over their pricing, availability, and the number of sessions offered.

Cost-Effective Expert Consultations

These “micro consultations,” as Mobrem terms them, typically range from 15 minutes to two hours. Pricing varies based on the expert, starting at $30 for a 15-minute session. Considering the substantial cost of comprehensive services – such as thousands of dollars for a full interior design project – the accessibility of a virtual consultation offers significant value.

Intro’s Revenue Model

Rather than imposing subscription fees on experts, Intro generates revenue through a commission-based structure. The company retains 30% of the fees for calls initiated through its platform, and 10% for calls booked directly by the expert via their integrated tool.

Securing Seed Funding for Expansion

To further its mission of democratizing access, Intro secured $10 million in seed funding, led by Andreessen Horowitz. Additional investors included Seven Seven Six, CAA founder Michael Ovitz, Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon, 23 & Me CEO Anne Wojcicki, Kevin Durant, Tiffany Haddish, and other strategic partners. This brings the company’s total funding to $12 million.

Investor Confidence and Platform Potential

“The Intro team is developing a remarkable product – a marketplace that provides direct access to some of the world’s foremost thinkers and leaders,” stated Andrew Chen, general partner at Andreessen Horowitz. “This platform possesses substantial scalability potential across numerous disciplines and offers experts and creators a means to monetize their influence and diversify their income streams.”

Early Success and User Feedback

During its beta phase, Intro facilitated 500 sessions within the first two months. Mobrem personally contacted early users to gather feedback, discovering that the concise consultations proved remarkably productive.

Future Growth and Expansion Plans

The new funding will be allocated to expanding the team and onboarding additional experts. Currently, the marketplace features approximately 75 experts, with plans to incorporate professionals in career development, business strategy, parenting, and essential life skills, such as first-time home buying.

A New Industry Born from Necessity

While other startups operate in the service provider space, Mobrem believes Intro is pioneering a new sector catalyzed by the global pandemic. He draws parallels to telemedicine, which similarly expanded access to healthcare professionals and improved efficiency.

Commitment to Continuous Improvement

“Our immediate focus is on addressing items on our task list,” Mobrem concluded. “We believe we’ve already created a user-friendly product, but continuous improvement is paramount. Expanding our expert network, by empowering them to earn more, will ultimately provide consumers with greater access to valuable advice.”