Lobster Raises Seed Funding from Sparklabs to Deepen Private Social Connections for Gen Z

South Korean startup Lobster has secured seed investment from Sparklabs for its AI-powered private mobile social messenger, Mumble.

Mumble is designed for users in their teens and twenties who want to build closer, more authentic relationships with people they already know — a deliberate departure from the performative culture of mainstream social media. The app centers on two core features: “Maeileoja,” which uses AI to distill a user’s daily mood and activities into a five-character summary, and “Random Box,” a daily question prompt that friends answer together to spark genuine exchanges and deepen their bond.

The founding team brings a strong track record in consumer mobile. Lobster’s CEO previously co-founded Toss, one of Korea’s most widely used fintech platforms, and was an early member of MadSmart, the team behind TikTok’s Korean predecessor that was later acquired by SK Planet. The current team includes alumni from LINE and Moloco.

Sparklabs cited Lobster’s mobile product expertise and a broader cultural shift in social media as key factors in its investment decision. The firm noted a growing trend among younger users away from public self-expression and toward smaller, more intimate digital spaces where people communicate candidly with close friends.

“Mumble aims to go beyond simple messaging or journaling — it’s about creating a service where users’ emotions and daily lives flow naturally to the people closest to them,” the company said. “We’ll use this investment to refine the product so more users can express themselves comfortably and stay connected with the people who matter most.”