Sunsetting Kardn

I’ve decided to shut down daily operations at Kardn. It’s not because of runway, burnout, or discouragement. It’s simply because I no longer want to build in consumer social. For the past two years, I poured my life into an idea and technology that I genuinely believed in: social search and companionship. But as we built, the data kept pointing toward familiar mechanics, infinite scroll, leaderboards, streaks, followers. We couldn’t meaningfully move retention without drifting toward patterns I never wanted to replicate this early in the product timeline. At some point, I stopped building something I was fully proud of. Not because the technology wasn’t promising, but because consumer behavior didn’t align with what I envisioned and was willing to cater towards. In consumer social, you have to accept that reality, and I didn’t want to build in that direction. Agents, social search, and personal assistants will prevail, but not as standalone destinations. They’ll emerge as part of larger ecosystems. I’m extremely grateful for my good friend and co-founder, and for everyone who has been with me on this journey, including each person and user I’ve had the chance to connect with. Shutting down something I’ve poured so much into is frustrating, but I don’t want anyone to mistake this decision as a loss of inspiration. Everything around us, from the bench at a park to the lamp on your desk, began as someone’s side project. Creation is never wasted. I remain inspired by the builders and dreamers who endure despite hardship, uncertainty, or lack of recognition. Right now, somewhere, someone is creating the next great company with no brand and no audience. Change is created by the most tenacious people. To anyone chasing something ambitious: you will be misunderstood; you will be questioned; you will be doubted. Keep going. It’s time to be great.