Faves
SeedRaised Since FeaturedExpert-curated content discovery
A social content curation platform where thought leaders share what they read, watch, and listen to.
About
Faves was a social media app that aggregated curated content from across platforms into a single feed. Founded by Tyler Maloney after graduating from Stanford GSB, the platform let users follow trusted voices — including VCs, tech leaders, and creators — and see all the content those individuals found interesting across Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and more. Within a month of its invite-only launch, Faves amassed a 17,000-person waitlist, with early adopters including Marissa Mayer, VCs at Sequoia and a16z, and Heads of Product at TikTok, Robinhood, Google, and Facebook. The company raised $4M in seed funding from investors including Mark Cuban and Pear VC. Tyler Maloney later pivoted to TeachMe.To, a marketplace for booking local sports and activity lessons, where he serves as CEO.
DailyDropout Take
Faves caught our attention as a clever bet on the curation economy — the idea that in an age of infinite content, who you trust matters more than what the algorithm serves. Tyler Maloney recruited an impressive roster of Silicon Valley insiders as early curators, and the 17K waitlist in a month showed real pull. While the company ultimately pivoted, the insight that expert curation beats algorithmic feeds remains relevant.
Discovery signal: Stanford GSB founder, impressive early adopter list (Marissa Mayer, Sequoia/a16z VCs), rapid waitlist growth, Mark Cuban investment
What Makes Them Unique
Faves recruited Silicon Valley thought leaders to curate content across every social platform into one feed, creating a TikTok-like discovery experience powered by expert recommendations rather than algorithms.
17,000+
Waitlist
$4M
Seed Raised
Target Markets
Founders
Tyler Maloney
Founder & CEO
Stanford GSB graduate. Previously founded Undercover Colors in 2014. Now CEO of TeachMe.To.
Funding History
Lead: Pear VC
Investors
Firms
Individual Investors
Investor, Shark Tank