Founder Spotlight Ep6: Solving social disconnection led to a broad and unique approach to addressing anxiety and stress with James Veraldi

James Veraldi is the founder of Loop, a simple way for users to simulate any situation they find stressful, anxiety provoking or pressure packed. He shares his journey at Fullscreen, musical.ly/TikTok, the founding of Loop before the rise of social audio during the pandemic and his pivot towards a product that helps you prepare for anything in your day to day.

Matthew Lee: “You launched Loop, tell us more about how that started.”

James Veraldi: “The problem was around loneliness and social disconnection through the effects of social media and technology… A lot of people misunderstand it as physical isolation, but it’s a mental isolation.”

Matthew Lee: “Was there any thought of going after the Clubhouse market during the pandemic?”

James Veraldi: “It felt like it wouldn’t be a wise move to just chase Clubhouse. We would be chasing something that probably doesn’t have longevity and we were right about that, so I’m glad we made that decision. And it would have pushed us even further”

Matthew Lee: “What are you working on now?”

James Veraldi: “A simple way for people to simulate any situation they find stressful, anxiety provoking, pressure packed… You watch or listen to yourself in that scene, it’s an incredibly practical and immersive way to prepare for anything in your day to day.”

Matthew Lee: “What advice do you have for our founders?”

James Veraldi: “Being a founder is hard…only start something if you have deep deep conviction in the problem in the space in what you are working because you are going to need that conviction to carry you through adversity.”