Twitter co-founder Biz Stone and Pinterest co-founder Evan Sharp are betting they can fix social media's ills with a new venture, West Co. The startup recently secured $29 million in funding, with Spark Capital leading the seed round, signaling strong investor confidence in their vision.

West Co.'s initial product, Tangle, an invite-only app launched in November, is designed to encourage intentionality. According to Sharp, who serves as CEO, the app emerged from a desire to address the "terrible devastation of the human mind and heart" caused by the current social media landscape. Tangle prompts users to define their daily intentions and share them with friends, aiming to foster mindful planning and reflection. While specific user metrics for the invite-only app are not yet public, the substantial seed funding suggests investors see potential in this approach.

The launch of West Co. arrives at a crucial juncture for the social media industry. Years of scrutiny over data privacy, mental health impacts, and the spread of misinformation have eroded public trust. This has created a market opportunity for platforms that prioritize user well-being and foster more meaningful connections. The success of Tangle, or a future iteration of West Co.'s product, could influence the direction of social media development, potentially pushing the industry towards more responsible and user-centric designs.

Stone and Sharp bring significant experience to this challenge. Stone's role in co-founding Twitter provides him with deep insights into the dynamics of large-scale social networks. Sharp's experience at Pinterest, a platform known for its positive and aspirational content, offers a contrasting perspective. Their combined expertise positions West Co. to potentially disrupt the existing social media paradigm.

While Tangle is currently in its early stages and Stone acknowledges the app could undergo significant changes before a full public launch, the company's mission and the founders' track record suggest a potentially significant impact on the future of social media. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether West Co. can translate its vision into a product that resonates with a wider audience and truly addresses the concerns surrounding the current social media environment.