Image Credits:<\/strong> Async<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Right now, Async only has one paid feature. By default, new users can\u2019t choose their username for their personal URL. It\u2019s usually their first name followed by a handful of random numbers. Users can choose to pay $35 per year to customize their profile URL \u2014 this feature is currently on sale at $19 per year.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll launch a premium monthly plan very soon with several pro features \u2014 it\u2019s fairly straightforward,\u201d co-founder and CEO Ilan Abehassera told me. \u201cBut we are working on a prosumer tool. We don\u2019t target companies, we target individuals who have a lot of meetings like Superhuman or Calendly.\u201d<\/p>\n

That interaction with Abehassera took place on Async. I asked several questions in an audio message. He took the time to send me several audio messages to answer all my questions one by one. Reactions are all time-stamped, meaning that you can easily jump to the right audio message. And of course, Async attached a transcription to each audio message.<\/p>\n

Of course, I couldn\u2019t jump in and ask follow-up questions as I would have during a live conversation. But it only took me a few minutes to record my questions, which is much faster than the usual 30-minute phone conversation.<\/p>\n

The alternative would have been a list of questions in an email conversation. But Abehassera\u2019s answers were more authentic and less polished than what they would have been in an email thread. Direct answers are always better than canned replies.<\/p>\n

The startup has raised $4 million from BaseCase, Box Group, Shrug, A*, Apollo Projects (the fund of the Altman brothers), Agla\u00e9 Ventures, Vivek Sodera, Alex Bouaziz and others.<\/p>\n

I have to say that I was a bit skeptical about Async\u2019s usefulness when I signed up. But it\u2019s a well-designed app that could definitely appeal to busy executives, investors or journalists who like to hear other people\u2019s voices.<\/p>\n

Now, Async\u2019s success will depend on the effectiveness of the viral loop. When people click on an Async profile link and record an audio message, they have to create an account to send the message. Similarly, intensive Async users can synchronize their calendar with Async and choose to turn events into Async conversations. That could also lead to new signups. But it also creates a barrier to entry. It\u2019s going to be interesting to see other people\u2019s reactions to Async links.<\/p>\n