In a world obsessed with followers, filters, and fleeting attention, one visionary is daring to redefine what connection truly means. Francesco Vitali, co-founder of Rent A Cyber Friend, Inc., is leading what many are calling the Human Connection Revolution — and now, his company is taking center stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, Silicon Valley’s most prestigious startup battlefield.
Out of thousands of global applicants, Rent A Cyber Friend has been selected among the Top 200 startups to exhibit — a recognition that marks more than just technological innovation. With 2.7 million registered users, zero paid acquisition, and a rapidly growing recurring revenue stream, the company represents a seismic cultural shift. It’s not just a platform — it’s the birth of an entirely new digital category: The Human Connection Economy.
Redefining Connection in the Post-Social Era
When asked about the milestone, Vitali’s focus isn’t on competition, but on contribution.
“We’re not focused on rankings or numbers. Whether it’s the Top 20 or the Top 2 doesn’t really matter,” he says. “What matters is being part of this remarkable journey — learning, connecting, and being part of a community that truly believes in founders as humans first.”
He credits the TechCrunch Startup Battlefield team, including Michael Schick and Isabelle Johannessen, for fostering a rare sense of equality and support among all 200 startups.
“They treat everyone with genuine care and professionalism — that’s rare in this industry,” Vitali notes. “For me, that’s already a win — to grow, to connect, and to be part of something that believes in people before profit.”
From Visibility to Value
In Vitali’s words, “Rent A Cyber Friend is the infrastructure of the post-social era.”
He explains,
“For twenty years, technology trained us to chase visibility. But visibility without value is emptiness. Rent A Cyber Friend reverses that. It gives people a way to earn through who they are, not what they post. No filters, no followers, no performances — just real conversation, instantly.”
This simple yet radical premise has made Rent A Cyber Friend a global phenomenon. Unlike social media, which monetizes attention, this platform monetizes authenticity.
“We’re not the next platform,” Vitali asserts. “We’re the next system.”
The Antidote to Social Media
Investors have already dubbed the startup “the antidote to social media” — and Vitali agrees.
“Social platforms sold us connection and delivered isolation. Rent A Cyber Friend does the opposite,” he says. “Thousands of users connect daily for real-time, encrypted video conversations — to talk, share, learn, or simply be seen. It’s not about followers; it’s about fellow humans.”
He describes this as the next evolution — “from scrolling to speaking, from performing to participating.”
Cyber Friend PRO: Connection Meets Opportunity
Now, with Cyber Friend PRO, the company is expanding into professional ecosystems.
“Cyber Friend PRO turns connection into opportunity,” Vitali explains. “Professionals — from coaches to designers, therapists, or consultants — can offer live, instant video sessions within the same ecosystem. You open the app, go live, and earn. We’re merging human connection with professional access — safely, instantly, globally.”
It’s a new vision of the digital economy, where connection itself becomes a source of income — and empowerment.
Built on Trust, Not Traffic
Perhaps most impressive is the company’s organic growth — achieved without a single paid campaign.
“When something is real, it spreads naturally,” Vitali says. “People today are overwhelmed by artificial everything — AI, ads, algorithms. They crave truth. And when they find it, they share it.”
That truth began years ago in a series of debates with his long-time business partner, Chris Siametis.
“Chris had the original idea long before video-based communication became a daily habit,” Vitali recalls. “He believed there should be a platform where anyone could instantly start a secure video call and speak — in real time — with another human being anywhere in the world. I thought it was too bold, maybe even impossible. But Chris has that rare intuition — he sees trends before they happen. Eventually, he convinced me — and I’m glad he did.”
Their partnership, he says, thrives on mutual respect, shared values, and a belief that technology should make people feel more human, not less.
Safety, Scale, and the Future
As Rent A Cyber Friend scales globally, its top priority remains safety.
“We’re launching Cyber Friend PRO memberships, AI-assisted matchmaking, and new Safe Space categories like grief and anxiety support,” Vitali reveals. “But above all, our focus is safety. We’re implementing advanced user authentication to ensure every interaction is real, verified, and respectful.”
He adds,
“Trust is everything in human connection. When people know they’re safe, they can open up, communicate, and build something meaningful. In a world driven by automation, human time — and human trust — are the most valuable currencies left.”
The Human Connection Economy Has Begun
As our conversation winds down, Vitali’s tone carries a quiet certainty — the kind that defines founders who know they’re building something bigger than themselves.
“The social media age is ending,” he declares. “The Human Connection Economy has begun. Machines can simulate empathy, but they can’t replace it. Humans can’t be replaced by AI.”
He smiles before adding his signature mantra:
“Viva the Human Connection Economy. For HUMAN First.”
You can be part of the movement at www.RentACyberFriend.com
