Biz Stone, one of the co-founders of Twitter and Evan Sharp, the co-founder of Pinterest, are working on a new social media startup called West Co. The two tech leaders say they want to build something very different from today’s social platforms something that can reduce the emotional and mental harm caused by social media over the past 15 years.
West Co has already attracted strong investor interest. According to reports, the company has raised around $29 million in seed funding, led by venture capital firm Spark Capital. The funding will be used to develop the company’s first product and expand the team. West Co quietly launched an invite-only version of its first app, called Tangle, in November.
Although the startup has kept a low profile, more details have slowly emerged through interviews, regulatory filings, and job postings. Evan Sharp, who is the CEO of West Co, said the company was born from a serious and personal question. He asked himself what kind of product he could create that might help address what he described as the “terrible devastation” that social media has done to people’s minds and emotions over the last decade and a half.
Unlike traditional social media apps that focus on likes, shares, followers and constant scrolling, Tangle is designed to be calmer and more thoughtful. When users open the app, they are asked a simple question: “What’s your intention for today?” Instead of posting photos or opinions for public attention, users are encouraged to share their goals, plans or thoughts for the day with a small group of friends.
The idea behind Tangle is to help people live with more awareness and purpose. By sharing intentions, users can support each other, stay focused on what matters most, and reflect honestly on how their days actually unfold. Over time, the app aims to help users see deeper patterns in their lives, such as habits, priorities and personal growth.
Few portals suggested that Tangle is still in an early testing phase and could change a lot before it is officially released to the public. The company is experimenting with different features and learning from early users to understand what truly helps people feel better rather than more stressed or distracted.
The founders believe that social media does not have to be harmful by design. Instead of pushing constant engagement and comparison, they want to create a platform that encourages reflection, balance and meaningful connections. West Co’s approach reflects a growing trend among tech leaders who are now questioning the long-term effects of the products they helped create.
As concerns about mental health, screen addiction, and online toxicity continue to grow, apps like Tangle represent an attempt to rethink what social media can be. Whether it can truly fix the damage caused by earlier platforms remains to be seen but West Co’s early vision suggests a strong desire to build a healthier and more human-centered digital experience.
