About the Company

Recall is an AI-powered browser extension that helps users build a personal knowledge base from the content they consume online. The tool stores content in a knowledge graph, automatically finding connections and resurfacing relevant information when needed. This approach addresses the common issue of users saving content but rarely revisiting it. Recall aims to help people leverage the vast amount of content available online more effectively.

Idea Behind Company

Paul Richards conceived the idea for Recall while working at Maltego, where he used technology to map relationships in information. He noticed a personal need to organize and revisit saved online content. Traditional tools like Notion and Evernote were tedious for this purpose. Thus, he envisioned a tool that would store content in a knowledge graph and resurface it when related information appeared, solving a widespread problem of forgotten saved content.

Creating the Company

In early 2022, Paul started developing Recall as a side project while freelancing to support himself. After a few months, he had a minimal viable product (MVP) that could build a database of interesting content. However, initial user retention was poor, prompting Paul to consider pivoting or persevering. He eventually took a break to refocus on his freelance work, still uncertain about Recall's future. A persistent user's request for a Dark Mode feature, and a subsequent honest post on HackerNews, would soon change the trajectory of Recall.

Launching the Business

After implementing Dark Mode, Paul posted about Recall on HackerNews, which garnered significant attention and feedback. This post led to a spike in site traffic, signups, and an unexpected email from a potential investor. Within 24 hours, Paul secured a $120,000 investment, enabling him to work on Recall full-time and hire additional help. He onboarded Igor Gligorevic as a co-founder to accelerate development and began refining the product based on user feedback to improve retention.

Earnings

Since launching, Rise Lean has employed multiple strategies to attract and retain customers, including guest posting, podcast appearances, and SEO. Leslie avoided costly advertising methods, instead building authority and trust within her audience. Her approach has led to consistent client acquisition, a high email open rate, and a sustainable business model. She plans to scale the B2C model and explore B2B opportunities, aiming for broader impact while maintaining client experience and results.