Note-taking apps are usually aimed at increasing efficiency and productivity. Many of these apps focus on writing down your thoughts quickly, organizing them better, or a combination of both. Napkin (not to be confused with the Accel-backed startup of the same name) hopes to stand out among these apps by focusing on mindfulness. Think of it as a kind of companion to your diary.
Founders David Felsmann and Fabian Wittel, who previously worked in BMW's Group Innovation department, started developing the app in 2022. We first released a web prototype. But back then, the app was more about productivity and helping you outline ideas on a particular topic. They also found that a significant number of users were using Napkin as a mindfulness tool to take time to reflect on ideas that were valuable to them.
Image credit: Napkin.one
The company then shifted its focus to the mindfulness market when it started building an iOS app. The desktop app was maintained for existing users. The startup's mindfulness approach positions it in the health and fitness category, rather than productivity and practicality.
“Every note is very different in nature. We help people capture ideas that change their state of mind. What sparks them to change their perspective or increase their motivation, and then later It's something that I want to reflect on. These are ideas that I gathered on a napkin as a mindfulness practice,” Felsman said.
Users can record ideas such as book quotes through the camera, and those quotes are converted into text. You can also simply type these thoughts. Napkin has hand-picked some early session ideas that you can add to your library. This app uses AI to manage different ideas with auto-generated tags. You can also access these themes and tags again from your home screen at a later date.
Image credit: Napkin.one
Users can archive ideas so that associated flags no longer appear. The app can also understand other languages such as Spanish and German, but it's currently best suited for English.
He pointed out that many people use apps instead of opening social media first thing in the morning and doing some self-reflection. The co-founders said the app is built on the so-called Sense of Coherence (SoC) model. This helps you build a holistic mental model of the world and keeps you grounded.
Napkin is available on the App Store for $6 per month or $50 per year. You can also get a 7-day trial version to test the app.
The company says the app doesn't send nudges or notifications to users because it doesn't want to interrupt user flow. “We don't want to add more noise to our users' lives. We don't want to be an attention-grabbing application in the background, but rather a quiet place that attracts attention,” Felsman said. Ta.
At Napkin, we see ourselves as a partner, not a replacement, for people who write in their journals. In the future, the app could integrate with popular journaling apps and Amazon Kindle, making it easier for users to capture ideas and use them for journaling.
Although the company has not raised any institutional funding, it has received checks totaling about $150,000 in the form of convertible debt agreements from its followers and supporters. Napkin doesn't want to raise money and wants to reach over 10,000 subscribers and achieve sustainability. Currently, there are approximately 4,000 paying users. Once it achieves its goals, the company plans to look into building integrations and apps for other platforms.