A tiny Portland technology startup has secured backing from the investment fund led by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Shelpful, a four-person firm, plans to use artificial intelligence (AI) to assist individuals in managing their lives and pursuing self-improvement projects. Altman’s investment firm, Apollo Projects, will invest $3 million to support Shelpful’s technology development and operations. Although the investment amount may not be significant for a technology startup, Altman’s involvement instantly elevates the profile of the Portland-based company.
Shelpful’s main objective is to help people efficiently handle daily tasks while dedicating time to self-care and pursuing long-term goals, such as language learning or fitness. The company licenses OpenAI’s technology to provide regular reminders through the WhatsApp messaging service. For those who prefer a more personalized touch, clients can additionally seek feedback from a real person known as a Shelper. Shelpful offers the option to exclusively communicate with a Shelper, five days a week, without AI involvement.
Sharon Pope, co-founder and CEO of Shelpful, stated that the human interaction factor provides a unique experience, as people tend to respond better when someone personally expects something from them. Shelpful’s pricing ranges from $35 per month for the AI plan to $160 per month for coaching exclusively from real individuals. The company currently has two employees in Portland, including Pope, one in San Francisco, and one in California. Their Shelpers work as independent contractors.
Sam Altman has been a well-known figure in Silicon Valley, but he gained nationwide recognition following the launch of OpenAI’s popular ChatGPT AI service. Shelpful licenses OpenAI’s technology to power their own service. Pope previously worked with Altman at Loopt, a location-sharing company he founded, and later at the Y Combinator startup incubator. Altman showed interest in investing in Shelpful after hearing about the company through a former colleague. Pope requested to defer Altman’s investment until the company had grown and she concluded her work at another company.
Shelpful has plans to develop its own app to eliminate dependence on WhatsApp for client interactions. Additionally, the company aims to collaborate with physical therapists and other specialists who can utilize Shelpful’s service to help their clients stay on track with their goals. Pope envisions Shelpful becoming a follow-up structure for any pursuit individuals are determined to stick with.
In conclusion, the Portland startup Shelpful has received backing from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s investment fund, Apollo Projects. With Altman’s involvement, the company’s visibility in the industry is set to rise significantly. Shelpful’s goal is to utilize AI technology to help individuals manage their daily tasks while allowing time for self-improvement projects. Clients have the option to augment the AI service with feedback from real individuals called Shelpers. Shelpful intends to develop its own app and collaborate with specialists to further enhance their service. The company’s pricing plans cater to various needs and budget levels.
