Hyderabad (Telangana), July 2025 :  In a
world brimming with smart devices, What if we built something that’s not
just intelligent — but kind?

That question sparked the birth of WTMF (What’s
The Matter, Friend?), an upcoming emotionally aware AI companion
developed by Hyderabad-based startup Knockverse Private Limited.
Scheduled for beta launch in mid-August 2025, WTMF is positioning itself
as India’s first AI solution designed not for productivity — but for presence.

In a time when mental
health apps are abundant but often feel clinical,
robotic, or disconnected from Indian cultural reality, WTMF is stepping in as a
bold and heartfelt alternative. Built with emotional intelligence at its core,
the app offers users a space to talk, vent, or simply be heard — especially
during those quiet, vulnerable hours of the night when traditional support
systems are out of reach.

“It all started as a conversation about loneliness,” says Kruthivarsh
Koduru, Co-Founder at Knockverse. “Everyone is building AI to sound smart.
We thought — what if it just made you feel better?”

A Homegrown Answer to Global
Companions

While global players like Replika and Character.AI have set early
benchmarks for AI companionship, WTMF takes a distinctly Indian approach —
understanding mixed-language messages, local slang, and emotional nuance with
cultural sensitivity.

With over 1,500 users on the waitlist, the app is generating buzz
for its two signature interaction modes:

• “Vent”: a calm, empathetic voice that listens, reassures, and validates
  your emotions.

• “Rant”: a spicier, sassier mode that speaks to users with wit, sarcasm,
  and playful energy.

The result? An emotionally tuned chatbot that doesn’t just hear
you — it gets you.

Building AI with Feeling

Behind the scenes, WTMF is built to feel
like someone who knows you. It learns how you like to be spoken to — soft and
soothing, or full of sass and emojis. You can even shape your own AI friend by
setting things like tone, mood, and slang. It’s not just smart replies — it’s
replies that sound like you’d want them to.

“We didn’t want to build another dry, robotic chatbot,” says Shreyak
Singh, Co-Founder at Knockverse. “We wanted to create something emotionally
available — a voice that actually texts back when you’re spiraling at 2:43 AM.”

Unlike mental health platforms that aim to diagnose or advise, WTMF
provides a judgment-free space where users can speak freely, without fear of
stigma or misinterpretation.

Designed for Gen Z, Built
for Everyone

From journaling tools and mood tracking to voice-based conversations and
safe-space interactions, WTMF’s experience is crafted with emotional safety
and digital comfort at its core. The app is tailored especially for Gen
Z and young millennials — a group that, studies show, reports higher levels of
loneliness, emotional overwhelm, and therapy hesitancy.

The team believes emotional technology should feel human, not
clinical.

“This isn’t a replacement for therapy. It’s not a productivity tool.
It’s a soft corner in your phone — the kind we all need sometimes, more like your AI Bestfriend” adds Shreyak.

The Road Ahead

WTMF is currently in its final stages of product development, with a
public beta expected to go live by August 2025. The startup is also in
talks with early investors and impact-driven collaborators to support its
growth, with an open call to partners who share the belief that kindness is
the future of technology.

To explore the project, join the waitlist, or collaborate, visit www.wtmf.ai
Press & Partnerships: hello@wtmf.ai