Ex-Netflix and Clubhouse employees launch new social app ‘Why?’

Maya Watson and Lexi Nisita, former colleagues at Netflix and Clubhouse, have ventured into the social app arena with their new creation, why?! The duo, who initially bonded over their shared Minnesota roots and complementary skills while working at Netflix, are now channeling their expertise into a novel social platform.

Watson and Nisita, who both played pivotal roles in building the brand and editorial teams at Clubhouse, decided to co-found why?! after feeling their previous workplace had grown uninspiring. “The workplace just started to feel more dull, empty and less fulfilling,” Watson remarked. Their goal with why?! is to address what they see as a growing sense of disconnection in today’s digital landscape.

On Wednesday, the founders announced a successful $1.65 million pre-seed funding round, led by Charles Hudson, managing partner and founder of Precursor Ventures. This funding will help fuel the development and launch of their innovative app, which blends elements of messaging, networking, and dating into one platform.

Amid what experts are calling America’s “loneliness epidemic,” why?! aims to foster deeper, more meaningful connections. Watson and Nisita have collaborated with therapists and psychologists to design features that promote reciprocal and trustworthy relationships. “We’ve interviewed and worked with some therapists and psychologists that helped us understand some of the key factors of closeness,” Watson said. “People want to be in reciprocal, deep and trustworthy relationships.”

The app, currently in private beta and set to officially launch in the fall, seeks to differentiate itself from other social media platforms through its emphasis on simplicity and intimacy. Key features include question card games for private chats, a daily question on the home feed, a FaceTime-like video chat function, and a weekly prompt to update users on their current activities.

The name why?!, conceptualized by the app’s head of engineering, Cody Zhang, reflects the app’s focus on probing deeper connections. Nisita explained, “We were looking for something that felt like an open-ended question. The most common and profound question you can ask anyone is … why? And then ask it again, and again.”

Watson also shared positive sentiments about the fundraising process, describing it as “oddly delightful” and highlighting the supportive nature of their investors. “Our cap table is amazing,” Watson said. “As women and a founder of color, we feel super fortunate and privileged that we were able to attract investors that we like, we trust, we feel safe with, who each bring unique wisdom and perspective.”