Capsule, a startup based in Paris, is aiming to revolutionize how individuals consume news through an app that is reminiscent of Spotify for news content. By combining AI technology with meticulous editorial curation, Capsule provides users with a fresh way to consume news from articles, newsletter snippets, tweets, and other social media updates effortlessly.
Users will notice that the interface of Capsule is user-friendly, taking inspiration from the easy swipe design of platforms like TikTok and other social media apps. News stories are displayed in a vertically scrollable feed, showcasing headlines along with images or snapshots of social media posts, enticing users to read summaries with a simple tap or explore the full content on the original publisher's website through a direct link.
The co-founders, Jérôme Boé and Arthur de Villemandy, bring their unique backgrounds to the project—Boé with his previous venture Snax, a short-format video app, and de Villemandy with his newsletter "Magma," focused on business insights.
Boé envisions Capsule as a means to make quality news accessible to everyone and has plans to categorize the news world into curated "playlists" in the future, improving discovery and recommendations similar to how Spotify does with music. He stresses that Capsule goes beyond just aggregating links like traditional news platforms. The goal is to provide an enhanced reading experience by combining in-depth research, cross-references, and interactive elements akin to a comprehensive newsletter.
A team of 10 international freelancers, selected for their passion for reading and diverse perspectives, is at the core of Capsule's curation process. Boé believes that AI alone cannot replace the nuanced editorial process required to select content that aligns with Capsule's focus on trends and insights for modern leaders. Quality and relevance of content take precedence over metrics like social engagement.
The curation team ensures that around 20 to 30 carefully chosen insights are introduced daily on Capsule, covering important news, emerging trends, and subtle cues. The editorial team then verifies the authenticity of the sources and condenses the content into a concise format.
In addition to individual articles, Capsule utilizes AI to recommend a range of related news stories, enhancing users' understanding and exposure.
Capsule sets itself apart from other news apps by not limiting the variety of news sources in its feed, having established connections with over 400 different news platforms.
Currently, Capsule is a self-funded startup with a team of four members, with plans to explore a freemium model based on future growth and development. Currently, the iOS app is available for free download, introducing users to a fresh approach to news consumption.
