A Bold Debut at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
When TechCrunch revealed its Startup Battlefield 200 list for 2025, one name stood out for challenging Silicon Valley’s obsession with automation: Rent A Cyber Friend, Inc.
Founded by Francesco Vitali and Chris Siametis, the company will pitch at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 in San Francisco, often called “the Oscars of the startup world.” This is the same arena that once launched Dropbox, Trello, and Cloudflare into the global spotlight.
But for Vitali and Siametis, their vision is not about repeating history. It’s about redefining how technology values human presence.
Fighting the Automation Frenzy
In a digital world racing to replace everything with AI, automation, and algorithms, Rent A Cyber Friend takes a radical stance: a platform where people are paid just for being themselves.
- No filters.
- No staged stories.
- No algorithmic treadmill.
“We wanted to create something that impacts people’s lives without forcing them to perform,” explains Vitali. “It’s about dignity, about being valued simply for showing up.”
Siametis adds, “This is the human economy. Technology should enhance our humanity, not erase it.”
They’ve coined the term HAaS — Human as a Service.
From Obscurity to the Global Stage
Unlike most startups chasing venture capital, Rent A Cyber Friend has grown through bootstrapping and community adoption.
- 2.6 million+ registered users in just two years.
- Annual recurring revenue nearing $1 million.
- Built with zero external funding.
This makes the company an anomaly in Silicon Valley’s VC-fuelled ecosystem. But for Vitali, the real story isn’t about bootstrapping pride. “It’s about people reclaiming value in their own presence.”
Now, with its Startup Battlefield selection, the company has earned a platform to show that the next big disruption may not be AI — but humanity itself.
The Francesco Vitali Factor
Startup Battlefield doesn’t just spotlight products; it also rewards founders who can own the stage.
Few entrepreneurs are natural storytellers. Fewer still can transform a pitch into theatre. Francesco Vitali is one of them.
“Some people build in silence,” says a colleague. “Francesco builds in public. When he speaks, he turns a room.”
At Disrupt 2025, his performance promises to be more than a presentation. It will be a statement. That stage presence may prove to be Rent A Cyber Friend’s biggest advantage.
Human Economy vs. AI Economy
To understand Rent A Cyber Friend’s vision, it helps to compare the AI-driven economy with the Human Economy (HAaS):
| Aspect | AI/Algorithm Economy | Human Economy (HAaS) |
|---|---|---|
| Value Source | Data, automation, algorithms | Human presence & connection |
| User Role | Content creators, data providers | Simply being present & real |
| Goal | Efficiency, scale, automation | Dignity, connection, inclusion |
| Revenue Model | Ad-driven, algorithmic optimization | Direct payments for presence |
| Emotional Impact | Creates pressure, stress | Promotes authenticity, dignity |
| Community Effect | Competitive, performance-based | Supportive, human-centered |
👉 Where AI chases efficiency, HAaS chases dignity.
A Different Kind of Disruption
TechCrunch Disrupt has historically been the launchpad for products that reshape industries. This year, Rent A Cyber Friend introduces a different message:
The future of technology isn’t just faster code; it’s about creating an economy where being human is enough.
For three days in October, in front of investors, founders, and global press, Vitali and Siametis will test this vision. Whether they win the $100,000 prize is secondary. Their true victory lies in challenging the industry to embrace the human economy.
Why This Startup Matters
Rent A Cyber Friend represents more than a product; it’s a cultural reset.
- For users: It provides an income stream through authenticity.
- For the industry: It proves that human connection can scale.
- For the future: It shows that innovation can prioritise dignity.
At a time when loneliness is rising and automation dominates headlines, their bold idea stands out: the most disruptive startup of 2025 may be the one that values people just as they are.
Try It Yourself
The experiment isn’t theoretical. It’s already live. Anyone can join today and see how presence becomes value at:
Because sometimes the future isn’t built in algorithms. Sometimes, it’s created in the simplest exchange of all: one human being showing up for another.
Key Highlights of Rent A Cyber Friend at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
- Startup Battlefield 200 Selection – Named among the world’s most ambitious startups.
- HAaS (Human as a Service) – Monetising human presence, not performance.
- Bootstrapped Success – 2.6M+ users, nearly $1M ARR, no VC funding.
- Founder Advantage – Francesco Vitali’s charisma makes the pitch unforgettable.
- A Counter to AI Trends – Technology built around dignity and humanity.
- Beyond the Prize – The spotlight itself is the win.
- Already Live – Available now at rentacyberfriend.com.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is Rent A Cyber Friend?
A platform where people are paid simply for being themselves, without filters, staged content, or algorithm pressure. - What does HAaS mean?
HAaS stands for Human as a Service, a model that monetises human presence instead of algorithm-driven performance. - How is it different from social media?
Unlike social platforms that reward performance and trends, Rent A Cyber Friend values real presence and connection. - Who are the founders?
It was co-founded by Francesco Vitali and Chris Siametis, who believe technology should prioritise humanity. - Why was it selected for TechCrunch Disrupt 2025?
It was chosen for the Startup Battlefield 200 because of its bold vision to put humans at the centre of tech. - Can anyone join?
Yes. Registration is free, and users can immediately begin participating in the human economy. - What makes it innovative in 2025?
Its innovation lies in valuing humans, not replacing them, flipping the script on AI and automation.
