Co–Star

Co–Star Astrology is a technology company operating in the digital wellness and social networking market, founded in 2017 by Banu Guler, Anna Kopp, and Ben Weitzman. The New York-based firm has secured approximately $21 million in funding through several rounds, including a $15 million Series A led by Spark Capital in April 2021. The initial idea for the app came to CEO Banu Guler, a former fashion industry professional with a background in psychology from NYU, after gifting a custom astrological chart at a baby shower, which became a focal point of conversation. This experience highlighted an opportunity to use astrology as a tool for deeper, more intimate social interactions, addressing what Guler perceived as rising levels of loneliness and anxiety.

The company's primary offering is a mobile application that provides hyper-personalized horoscopes by combining data from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory with the insights of human astrologers, all processed through a proprietary AI engine. Unlike traditional horoscopes that rely only on a user's sun sign, Co–Star creates a full natal chart based on the user's exact date, time, and place of birth, mapping the positions of the planets and stars. This allows for more detailed and nuanced daily insights. The app's core features include daily horoscope updates, personality analysis, and the ability to add friends to compare astrological compatibility. In July 2023, the company launched "The Void," an in-app feature allowing users to ask specific questions and receive AI-generated answers based on their personal astrological data.

Co–Star operates on a freemium business model. The application is free to download and use, generating revenue primarily through in-app purchases for premium features. These paid services include advanced chart readings and the ability to ask questions in "The Void" beyond an initial free interaction. The company targets a digitally native audience, primarily young adults, and has seen significant adoption, with reports indicating that a substantial percentage of young women in the U.S. have downloaded the app. The platform is positioned as a social experience, designed to facilitate reflection and connection among its users.

Keywords: astrology app, horoscope, artificial intelligence, NASA data, social networking, wellness tech, natal chart, personalized astrology, Banu Guler, venture capital, freemium model, mobile application, spiritual technology, relationship compatibility, daily insights, AI-powered, astrology-tech, digital astrology, zodiac, planetary movements