As a child, I remember the heavy weight of anxiety that filled my mind and body every time I was away from home or walked into school. The feeling of stepping out from the comfort of home into an unknown world was overwhelming, and now, I see the same worry mirrored in my daughter’s eyes. It’s a quiet struggle that so many kids endure alone, as their big feelings often go unnoticed or unexpressed. The difficulty of putting complex emotions into words leaves parents, teachers, and caregivers in the dark about how to best support them.

When I was young, my comfort came from a stuffed pillow my grandmother made for me—a silent, steady companion that somehow made things feel safer. Today, my daughter and many other children turn to their stuffed friends for comfort, though they too can only provide so much. Seeing this, we realized every child should have access to care, comfort, and understanding from a trusted companion whenever they need it.

This led us to create Erly—a digital buddy-building platform combining AI and empathetic design, transforming a child’s favorite stuffed friend into an engaging, responsive companion. Erly enables children to bring their beloved buddies to life digitally, allowing for meaningful, two-way interactions. It helps children build emotional intelligence, social skills, and self-confidence in a safe and nurturing environment, providing them with care, comfort, and companionship through the trusted faces of the buddies they already love.

Our team of experts in AI, product development, and child psychology has designed Erly to be both a technological advancement and a heartfelt companion. With lifelike conversations and expressive interactions, Erly creates a safe space where kids can feel supported and heard, empowering them to live anxiety-free lives full of adventure and happiness.