Kinnect, a newly established startup, is on a mission to help individuals privately preserve generational memories, traditions, recipes, and more. Launched this month, the company’s app facilitates the creation of invite-only spaces where users can share images, videos, audio, text, and additional media exclusively with family members.
The company was founded in May 2023 by entrepreneur Omar Alvarez, who previously worked with telehealth brands specializing in mental health. The inspiration for Kinnect stemmed from personal losses Alvarez experienced: his grandfather’s battle with Alzheimer’s and the death of his best friend to Leukemia.
During the early stages of his grandfather’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis, Alvarez’s family struggled with the impending reality that their grandfather’s memories would fade. They sought a solution to record and store these cherished memories but were unable to do so before his grandfather’s passing.
Four years later, Alvarez faced another profound loss when his best friend was diagnosed with Leukemia. His best friend expressed a desire to privately record and save messages for his wife to listen to after he passed away.
Unfortunately, Alvarez’s best friend passed in November last year, just six months before Kinnect’s launch. While Alvarez regrets not having launched Kinnect sooner to help his friend effortlessly capture messages and stories for his wife, he emphasizes that his friend’s wishes and experiences have profoundly influenced Kinnect’s development.
Alvarez chose to name the app “Kinnect” because he believes it epitomizes the most inclusive concept of family, embracing both chosen and biological relationships. He envisions Kinnect as a platform where everyone can preserve generational memories, extending beyond mere blood ties.
“Being Latino and gay, my definition of family includes friends who feel like family,” Alvarez explained to TechCrunch. “The ‘Kin’ in ‘Kinnect’ is meant to be the most inclusive term for family, while the ‘net’ stands for the crucial need to connect and belong. My hope is that Kinnect mitigates feelings of isolation or the lack of belonging.”
Upon launching the app, users are prompted to define their goals. Options include “capture life lessons,” “preserve family history,” “remember loved ones,” and “share moments,” and users can select multiple goals that resonate with them.
Kinnect’s home feed is designed to be familiar, resembling those found on social platforms like Facebook or Instagram, featuring updates such as new comments or uploads within the user’s invite-only network.
A notable feature of the app is “Storybooks,” which allows users to compile memories into digital albums organized by various themes, creating chapters for their family’s ongoing story to be revisited by future generations.
For those uncertain about what to contribute to their family’s Storybook, the app offers a “Guided Storytelling” feature, providing prompts to help users narrate their experiences. For example, it might prompt you to describe your current home and the reasons for moving there. Alvarez notes that while many people want to document their stories, they often struggle with knowing where to begin; hence, this feature was incorporated. Kinnect also plans to integrate AI in the future to tailor these prompts to each family member’s unique context.
The application is designed to cater to individuals of all ages, ranging from teenagers to seniors. Alvarez emphasized the importance of launching a user-friendly platform, particularly for elderly users.
Currently, Kinnect is available exclusively on iOS, with plans for an Android release in the near future.
Kinnect offers its basic features at no cost. However, users have the option to subscribe annually for $70, which provides access to unlimited Storybooks and the ability to upload limitless photos, videos, and audio per Story. This subscription can accommodate up to five family members.
Looking ahead, Alvarez hinted at Kinnect’s ambitions to extend beyond the digital realm and emphasize real-world interactions.
“We strive to avoid being just another tech company fixated on digital solutions,” Alvarez explained. “I recognize the mental health advantages that come from in-person interactions and a sense of belonging. We are contemplating ways to integrate our presence into the physical world as well.”
The startup has secured $100,000 in funding through TechStars’ Rising Stars program, which supports underrepresented founders in the United States. Additionally, Kinnect is participating in an accelerator program by Slauson & Co.
