Zebra Raises $1.1M to Revolutionize Messaging with Photo & Voice

A New Social App Inspired by Clubhouse: Introducing Zebra

A novel voice-centric social application, drawing significant inspiration from Clubhouse, presents a unique and engaging method for maintaining connections with cherished friends and family. Zebra deliberately omits video functionality, instead prompting users to instantly capture photos and accompany them with spontaneous voice updates.

Asynchronous Sharing and Casual Connection

Zebra prioritizes sharing that doesn't require immediate responses, yet also facilitates direct calls between users who are concurrently active within the app. This creates a relaxed and enjoyable experience for individuals seeking to connect without the potential distraction of Instagram’s continuous, advertisement-filled stream.

The Team Behind Zebra and Initial Funding

Currently, Zebra is being developed by a compact team of two: Dennis Gecaj, the CEO and a product designer located in Berlin, and Amer Shahnawaz, the head of engineering, formerly of Snap Maps at Snapchat. The initial funding round was spearheaded by Seven Seven Six, Alexis Ohanian’s new venture firm established in June.

The app is scheduled for a formal launch in August, but is presently available for pre-order via the App Store and as a beta version through TestFlight.

Ohanian's Perspective on the Audio Revolution

“We are undeniably witnessing an audio revolution, which has spurred the emergence of numerous new social platforms and content formats centered around audio,” stated Ohanian, emphasizing that Zebra’s distinctive combination of photos and voice was a key factor in his investment decision.

Voice as a Richer Alternative to Text

Gecaj believes that social networking based on voice offers a more nuanced experience compared to platforms dominated by text. While platforms like Instagram offer voice messaging and calls (by disabling the camera), voice often takes a secondary role to video. However, video calls can be demanding and require significant commitment – a trend reflected in the decline of Zoom usage as the pandemic progressed.

Zebra: Social Audio for Close Connections

Unlike Clubhouse, which Gecaj acknowledges as a “huge inspiration,” Zebra is designed for intimate social audio interactions within one’s immediate circle. “With the reopening of society, we identified a significant opportunity for an asynchronous format to cater to this need,” he explained to TechCrunch.

Encouraging Natural Growth Through "Talking Photos"

Gecaj anticipates that Zebra’s innovative “talking photos” will resonate with users and drive organic growth. New users can invite friends individually, without needing to share their entire contact list (a necessity, as the app requires connections to function). The app’s intuitive and uncluttered interface simplifies this process.

The Concept of "Zebra" – Seeing What You're Talking About

The app’s name, “Zebra,” reflects the idea that people appreciate visual context when communicating. Traditionally, this would involve sending a photo followed by a voice message. However, Zebra streamlines this by making photo capture the primary action. The app launches directly to the camera, allowing users to snap a picture, record a voice snippet, and share it with friends and family displayed below the camera view.

A Shift in Social Platforms: Creators vs. Connections

Zebra isn’t concerned about convincing users to download yet another app. Gecaj foresees a growing divergence between platforms geared towards content creators and those designed for maintaining personal relationships.

“I believe we’ll see a separation between platforms for entertainment and those for connecting with friends,” Gecaj shared with TechCrunch.

Appealing to Those Disengaged with Video

Furthermore, Gecaj hopes that Zebra’s dual emphasis on voice and photos – two elements often overlooked or actively de-emphasized by other platforms – will attract individuals less interested in video content.

“We also believe that text messaging lacks the emotional depth of voice… and voice has been largely ignored,” Gecaj stated. “Voice possesses a unique richness and power that no other medium can replicate.”