Remento: A Startup Case Study – Preserving Family Stories with AI-Powered Voice

Remento

Remento is an active startup tackling the challenge of preserving family memories. They use AI-powered transcription to convert spoken stories into heartfelt keepsake books, making it easier for families to capture and share the voices of their loved ones.

Founding Year: 2021

Headquarters: Los Angeles, California, United States

Industry: Information

Business Model

B2C, One-sided, Product & Service

• Clients: 
  • Individuals seeking to preserve family memories, particularly those with older relatives.
  • Families looking for meaningful keepsakes and ways to connect with their heritage.
  • People who prefer spoken storytelling over writing, including older individuals and those less comfortable with technology.
• Suppliers: Printing and shipping companies for book production and delivery.

It’s like: Storyworth but with a focus on voice and collaboration

Remento, like Storyworth, helps individuals preserve memories and transform them into a tangible keepsake book.

Both services utilize prompts to guide storytelling. However, Remento differentiates itself through:

• Emphasis on Voice: Remento prioritizes spoken storytelling, using AI-powered transcription to eliminate the need for writing. This makes it particularly accessible for individuals who may find writing challenging.
• Integrated Voice Recordings: Remento’s keepsake books include QR codes linked to the original voice recordings, adding an emotional dimension that is absent in Storyworth.
• Collaborative Features: Remento allows multiple family members to contribute questions and photos, enriching the storytelling process.

Key Pain Points

• Loss of Family Stories: Many people regret not having documented the stories of older generations. This problem is exacerbated by the increasing digitalization of information, leaving fewer tangible records of family histories.
• Difficulty in Capturing Memories: The act of writing down lengthy narratives can be daunting or physically challenging for some individuals, particularly older adults.
• Lack of Engaging Prompts: Recalling and articulating meaningful memories can be difficult without structured guidance or thought-provoking prompts.
• Limited Accessibility: Traditional methods of preserving family history may not be accessible to individuals with limited technological experience.

Solutions Offered

• Simplified Memory Preservation: Remento provides an easy and accessible platform for capturing spoken memories, eliminating the need for writing.
• Guided Storytelling: Weekly prompts delivered via email or text message encourage reflection and facilitate the sharing of meaningful stories.
• AI-Powered Transcription: Remento’s Speech-to-Story technology accurately transcribes spoken words into written narratives.
• Tangible Keepsake Book: The transcribed stories are compiled into a personalized hardcover book, creating a lasting and shareable family heirloom.
• Voice Integration: QR codes within the book link to original voice recordings, preserving the tone and emotion of the storyteller.
• Collaborative Storytelling: Family members can contribute questions and photos, enriching the storytelling experience.

Founding Story

• When and How Founded: Remento was founded in 2021 by Charlie Greene. The idea emerged after Greene began recording conversations with his mother following her cancer diagnosis, aiming to preserve her stories. This personal project highlighted a broader need for accessible tools to document family histories, leading to the creation of Remento.
• Founder’s Problem: Greene was driven by the desire to capture his mother’s life stories, especially after the loss of his father in 2001. The experience underscored the importance of preserving personal narratives for future generations.
• Past Experience: Greene holds a BA in Political Science from Brown University and an MBA from Harvard Business School (Class of 2021). His professional background includes roles in journalism at NBC News, crisis communications at Burson-Marsteller, speechwriting in the Obama Administration, and positions at 21st Century Fox, Disney, and Hulu.
• Co-founder and Team: Alex Massoneau joined as co-founder and CTO. Other key members include Laura Ciccone (Head of Product) and Jake Pomper (Head of Design).
• Solving the Problem: Initially, they facilitated in-person recordings. However, they pivoted to an AI-powered app-based model for scalability and accessibility.
• Continued Growth: They secured $3 million in seed funding and gained significant exposure through Shark Tank, leading to a deal with Mark Cuban.
• Innovation and Technology: Remento utilizes AI-powered Speech-to-Story technology to transcribe spoken memories, making it easy for users to create a keepsake book. The inclusion of QR codes linked to audio recordings adds another layer of emotional connection.

Key Growth Milestones

• 2021: Founding of Remento and initial focus on in-person oral history recordings.
• September 7, 2022: Secured $3 million in seed funding.
• March 10, 2025: Appeared on Shark Tank, securing a $300,000 investment from Mark Cuban.

Market & Competition

Target Market

Remento primarily targets individuals and families seeking to preserve and share personal and family histories. This includes:

• Individuals wanting to capture the life stories of older relatives: This group, particularly those with parents and grandparents, represents a core segment.
• Individuals documenting their own life stories: This encompasses those who want to preserve their memories for future generations.
• Families seeking meaningful keepsakes: Remento appeals to those wanting a tangible, shareable heirloom to pass down.

Market Size and Growth:

• Digital Storytelling Platforms: The global digital storytelling platforms market was valued at approximately USD 415.78 million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 851.34 million by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.68%.
• Digital Storytelling Courses: The digital storytelling courses market was valued at USD 467.5 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 726 million by 2030, with a CAGR of 7.6%.
• Genealogy Products and Services Market: The genealogy products and services market, which overlaps with memory preservation, was valued at USD 3.78 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 8.84 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 11.36% from 2023 to 2030.
• Personalized Gifts Market: The global personalized gifts market is forecasted to grow from USD 29.89 billion in 2024 to USD 54.15 billion by 2033, registering a CAGR of 6.7%.
• Potential New Markets:
• Baby Books: Remento has diversified into baby book products, expanding into the baby memory book segment. This move taps into the personalized baby gifts market, which is a subset of the broader personalized gifts industry.
• Autobiographies: The company can explore use cases for autobiographies, potentially targeting a broader audience beyond family histories. This expansion could position Remento in the self-publishing and personal memoir markets.

Growth Trends:

• Increasing demand for personalized and meaningful gifts: Consumers are seeking unique and sentimental gifts, driving growth in the personalized gifts market.
• Growing interest in genealogy and family history: The rising popularity of genealogy research suggests a growing market for memory preservation tools.
• Technological advancements in AI and digital storytelling: Remento is well-positioned to capitalize on advancements in AI-powered transcription and storytelling tools.

Competitor Landscape

Remento operates in a competitive market with various players offering memory preservation and digital storytelling solutions.

Key competitors include:

• Meminto: Often cited as the best alternative, potentially offering more advanced customization and collaboration features.
• Storyworth: A direct competitor providing a similar service of turning memories into books.
• MyHeritage: Known for DNA testing and family trees, they now offer “MyStories” a service to create printed memory books.

Marketing & Sales

Main Positioning Values: Time

Website & Socials

• Website: Remento.co
• Monthly Visits: Approximately 356.2K monthly visits. Most of which are direct users and organic searches.
• Top Countries: The majority of visitors come from the US (about 66%), with smaller segments from Spain, the UK, Australia, and India.
• Social Media Traffic: Instagram is the dominant social channel (with 28k followers), and a smaller audience from TikTok (12k followers), Facebook (6.2k followers), YouTube, and LinkedIn (1k followers).

Media Coverage

• Shark Tank Appearance: Remento gained significant attention after its feature on ABC’s “Shark Tank” in March 2025, where co-founder Charlie Greene secured a $300,000 investment from Mark Cuban for 10% equity.
• Funding Announcements: The company’s $3 million seed funding round in 2022, led by Upfront Ventures, was reported by PR Newswire.
• Academic Features: Harvard Business School and Brown University highlighted alumnus, Charlie Greene’s entrepreneurial journey and Remento’s mission to preserve family stories.
• Harvard Magazine: Profiled Greene’s personal inspiration behind Remento, detailing how his family’s experiences influenced the creation of the platform.
• Online Discussions: Remento’s innovative approach to memory preservation sparked conversations on platforms like Reddit, where users compared it to similar services and discussed its unique features.

Marketing Strategies

• Target Audience: Remento primarily targets adults aged 30–65 who are interested in preserving family memories. This demographic includes individuals seeking meaningful, personalized gifts and those looking to document family histories for future generations. The platform appeals to users who value storytelling and wish to create lasting legacies through recorded narratives.
• Customer Acquisition: Remento employs a multifaceted approach to attract and engage its audience:
  • Content Marketing: The company shares articles and resources that highlight the importance of memory preservation and storytelling. These materials educate potential users on capturing family histories and the emotional value of such endeavors. For instance, “My Experience with Remento (By Bethany Morris): Bethany Morris”, a mother of four, shares how she uses Remento to prompt and record conversations and special moments with her extended, close-knit family. She reflects on the significance of documenting family stories, especially during the holiday season, and how Remento has facilitated meaningful conversations and memories.
  • Email Marketing: Remento utilizes email campaigns to inform subscribers about new features, promotions, and user success stories. This direct communication fosters a sense of community and keeps users engaged with the platform.
  • Social Media Marketing: The platform maintains an active presence on social media channels, sharing user testimonials, behind-the-scenes content, and tips on preserving memories. This strategy helps build brand awareness and encourages user interaction.
  • Affiliate Marketing: Remento offers an affiliate program that allows partners to earn commissions by referring new members to the platform. This initiative expands the company’s reach through trusted voices in relevant communities.
• Value Proposition: Remento provides an AI-powered solution for capturing and preserving personal stories without the need for writing. The platform offers users a convenient and heartfelt way to document family histories by transforming spoken narratives into professionally designed keepsake books. This service stands out by combining technology with emotional storytelling, catering to those who wish to create lasting legacies for their loved ones.

Product & Innovation

Speech-to-Story Technology

Remento’s AI-powered transcription service converts spoken memories into written narratives, eliminating the need for manual transcription.

QR Code Voice Integration

The inclusion of QR codes linked to original voice recordings within the printed book is a unique feature that enhances the emotional impact and preserves the storyteller’s voice.

User-Friendly Platform

Remento’s platform is designed for simplicity and accessibility, catering to users of all technological abilities.

Baby Book Product

Remento developed a baby book product, indicating a novel approach to capturing early childhood memories.

Financials & Metrics

Revenue Sources

• Subscription Fees: Remento operates on a subscription-based model, offering annual plans at $99 and monthly plans at $12. These subscriptions provide users with access to weekly story prompts, unlimited collaborators, and one hardcover book credit.
• Additional Book Sales: Customers can purchase extra copies of their personalized hardcover memory books. Prices are $69 for books up to 200 pages and $99 for books between 201–380 pages.
• E-book Sales: An e-book version of the keepsake book is available for $49, providing a digital alternative to the physical copy.

Metrics

• Funding and Investments: As of March 6, 2025, Remento has secured a total of $4.3 million in funding across two rounds:
  • Seed Round: On September 7, 2022, Remento raised $3 million in a seed funding round led by Upfront Ventures.
  • Angel Investment: In March 2025, Mark Cuban invested $300,000 for a 10% equity stake in Remento during an appearance on “Shark Tank.”
• Employee Count: 2 to 10 employees as of 22 May 2025.

Structure & Culture

Leadership

Remento is led by co-founders Charlie Greene (CEO) and Alex Massoneau (CTO).

Other positions at Remento include:

• Head of Product
• Senior Product Designer
• Head of Marketing

Team Size

As of May 22, 2025, Remento had about 10 employees.

Culture

• Dream big.
• Set ambitious goals, then make them real
• Act like an owner.
• Champion the mission through initiative and accountability.
• No ego, amigo.
• Be humble and win together.
• Clear is kind.
• Default to transparency and communicate with honesty.
• Respect the user.
• Listen closely and build for the end user.

Impact & Success

Customer Feedback

Users consistently praise Remento for its simplicity, especially for older generations less familiar with technology. The platform’s Speech-to-Story™ technology allows users to record their memories without writing, making it accessible for those who prefer speaking over typing.

Additionally, the inclusion of QR codes in the printed books enables readers to hear the storyteller’s voice, adding an emotional connection to the stories.

For instance, a customer named Shelley shared her experience:

“I loved the QR code that you get to scan. It lets you not only read the book and see the words on the page, but also hear the person say it and see their reaction. You can’t put a price on that.”

Another user, Matthew H., highlighted how Remento’s QR codes brought his storyteller’s voice to life, allowing future generations to connect with the past through both written and spoken words.

Success Stories

Remento has facilitated numerous success stories within its user community, showcasing the impact of its platform in preserving family histories.

For example, a customer named Laura purchased Remento books for multiple family members, including her mother and grandparents. She was delighted by how seriously the entire family took the process of exploring and preserving their stories. Laura emphasized that the ease of use ensured that her kids would have a lasting keepsake of their family’s legacy. 

Another user, Jami, appreciated that Remento’s audio-first approach allowed her family to learn new and surprising things about one another without the need to type. The weekly storytelling sessions provided a reason for her family to connect regularly, enhancing their bond.

Growth & Future

Challenges and Risks

• Competition: The market for memory preservation and digital storytelling is becoming increasingly competitive.
• Maintaining Engagement: Ensuring long-term user engagement and retention for their subscription-based model.
• Scaling Operations: Managing supply chains and ensuring quality as demand increases.
• Technological Advancement: Keeping pace with AI developments and user expectations for transcription and storytelling features.

Future Plans

• Product Expansion: Developing new use cases like baby books and autobiographies.
• Platform Enhancements: Adding features based on user feedback, such as visualizations, advanced editing tools, and enhanced sharing options.
• Community Building: Creating a vibrant community for storytellers on the platform.
• Accessibility: Making family story preservation accessible to everyone, regardless of technical expertise.

Key Takeaways for Entrepreneurs

• Unearth Timeless Needs in a Tech-Saturated World: Remento reminds us that even in our tech-obsessed age, fundamental human needs like preserving family history remain powerful. Don’t be blinded by the allure of the “next big thing” – sometimes the most impactful solutions address timeless needs with a fresh perspective.
• Turn Personal Loss into Entrepreneurial Fuel: The founder’s drive stemmed from the deeply personal experience of losing his father and fearing the same fate for his mother’s stories. Your greatest entrepreneurial inspiration can arise from personal challenges and a burning desire to prevent others from experiencing the same pain.
• Simplicity is Golden, Especially When Catering to Diverse Demographics: Remento’s success hinges on its user-friendly platform, crucial for capturing a broad audience, including those less tech-savvy. Prioritizing simplicity, especially when your target market spans generations, can be a key differentiator.
• Don’t Underestimate the Power of a Good Story: Remento masterfully leverages storytelling in its marketing. From customer testimonials to media features, they understand that authentic stories resonate deeply and build trust. Your product might be stellar, but without a compelling narrative, it’s lost in the noise.
• Early Monetization Isn’t Always the Answer: Remento focused on building a robust product and user base before implementing monetization strategies. While revenue is essential, prioritizing value creation and user acquisition early on can lay a stronger foundation for sustainable growth.