Lookupp

What Lookupp does

Lookupp is a youth-led nonprofit operating a mobile application that rewards users for remaining off their phones during in-person social interactions. Its core product is the iOS 'Lookupp' app, in which users initiate a 'Lookupp Zone' while with friends or family and accrue points for every minute spent away from their device; if the phone is used for more than three minutes during a zone, the user forfeits all points earned for that session. Accumulated points are redeemable for partner-funded rewards valued between $5 and over $100, including free food, cash, and event tickets. The company is headquartered in Raleigh, NC, with a team of 1-10 and a four-person leadership board (Atiksh Bhan, Co-Founder & CEO; Samin Bhan, Co-Founder & Advisor; Dr. Ellie Ebrahimi, Research Advisor; Crawford Anderson, CFO).

The business model combines charitable donations, processed through Zeffy, with brand partnerships sourced via a dedicated Business Portal. The Business Portal targets consumer brands seeking access to a 13-21 demographic and positions the association as a mental-health and wellness marketing channel; brand deals appear to be sourced through a consultative sales motion with 30-minute onboarding calls rather than self-serve transactions. Distribution is iOS-App-Store-led for consumers and direct-sales-led for enterprise brand partnerships, with an Ambassador Program extending community-led growth.

The organization is supported by the Young Futures Grant and the Taco Bell Ambition Accelerator, and has been recognized through the Congressional App Challenge, the Under Pressure Challenge, and YEPex. It has reported fostering over 12,500 hours of screen-free, face-to-face interaction since launch. The company holds no disclosed patents, no API or SDK offerings, and no AI/ML capabilities in the public record.

Name

Lookupp

Legal name

Lookupp

Website

https://lookupp.net

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Lookupp is a youth-led nonprofit that operates an iOS mobile app rewarding users with brand-funded perks for staying off their phones during in-person interactions with friends and family.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital Wellness Mobile App

NAICS

Amusement Arcades (713120)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Price Comparison, Deals, Cashback & Loyalty Shopping Platforms (BPAMAGAH)

Keywords

• Digital wellness app
• Screen time rewards
• Youth mental health
• Gamified habit tracking
• Brand partnership platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Raleigh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: Lookupp is described as a nonprofit and accepts donations through Zeffy platform. The primary funding source appears to be charitable donations to support operations and reward fulfillment.
2. Business Partnerships (Brand Perks): Businesses partner with Lookupp to offer perks to users who complete Lookupp Zones. This creates value for brands by reaching younger demographics (ages 13-21) and associating with mental health/wellness movement. Revenue model is likely based on partnership fees or co-marketing arrangements.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Lookupp operates a free iOS mobile application that rewards users with points for keeping their phones away during social gatherings ("Lookupp Zones"). Points are forfeited if the phone is used for more than three minutes during a zone, and earned points can be redeemed for partner-funded rewards worth $5 to over $100, including free food, cash, and event tickets. A separate Business Portal enables brands to offer perks to users in exchange for visibility among younger demographics.

Product overview

Lookupp is a youth-led nonprofit mobile application ecosystem that rewards users for being present with people they care about. The core product is the Lookupp Mobile App, which uses a points-based gamification system where users start 'Lookupp Zones' when with friends and family and earn points for staying off their phones. The ecosystem is extended through the Business Portal, which enables brands to partner with Lookupp and offer perks to users. Additionally, the Ambassador Program allows community members to promote the platform in their local areas. Users can earn real rewards worth anywhere from $5 to over $100, including free food, cash, and event tickets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Lookupp Mobile App A free iOS mobile application that rewards users with points for staying off their phones during "Lookupp Zones" started while with friends and family. Points are forfeited if the phone is used for more than three minutes during a zone, and earned points are redeemable for real rewards worth $5 to over $100, including free food, cash, and event tickets. Targets individual youth and young adult consumers ages 13-21.
• Lookupp Business Portal A platform for consumer brands and businesses to partner with Lookupp by offering perks to users who complete Lookupp Zones. Provides brand visibility among younger demographics (primarily ages 13-21), brand reputation association with mental health and wellness, and increased revenue through marketing engagement. Engages via an inquiry form followed by a scheduled 30-minute onboarding call.

Quantifiable outcome

• Users report improved real-world social connections with friends and family

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Congressional App ChallengeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLookupp participated in the Congressional App Challenge, which recognizes innovative applications created by young developers. This provides legitimacy and potential visibility through congressional recognition.
• Under Pressure ChallengeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChallenge program focused on addressing pressure-related issues affecting youth. Lookupp's mission aligns with this challenge's focus areas around mental health and social wellbeing.
• YEPexminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth entrepreneurship and innovation support program that provides resources and mentorship to young founders like the Lookupp team.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Forest: Forest is a gamified focus app that grows virtual trees when users stay off their phone. It shares Lookupp's core mechanic of rewarding screen-free time and targets a similar young, productivity-conscious demographic.
• Opal: Opal is a screen-time and focus management app for iOS that helps users reduce phone use and be more present. It directly competes with Lookupp on the core use case of reducing screen time, though Opal monetizes via subscriptions rather than brand perks.
• Freedom: Freedom is a cross-device app and website blocker designed to help users stay focused and limit distracting screen time. It competes with Lookupp on the productivity/focus value proposition for digitally distracted users.
• ScreenZen: ScreenZen is an iOS screen-time app that uses delayed rewards, friction, and challenges to reduce phone use. It mirrors Lookupp's emphasis on enforced behavioral change rather than passive tracking, though without a brand-perk marketplace.
• One Sec: One Sec is a mindfulness-based app that intercepts social media opens with a breathing pause. It overlaps with Lookupp on the screen-time reduction use case and targets similar mobile-first youth audiences.

Broad incumbents

• Apple Screen Time: Apple's built-in Screen Time feature is shipped natively on every iOS device and provides usage limits, app blocking, and downtime scheduling. It is the most significant indirect competitor to Lookupp because it removes the need for a third-party app for basic screen-time management.
• Headspace: Headspace is a major mental wellness and mindfulness subscription app. It overlaps with Lookupp on the youth mental health and digital wellbeing positioning, but as a much broader incumbent with content, coaching, and enterprise offerings.
• Calm: Calm is a leading mental wellness and sleep app with broad consumer and B2B distribution. It addresses adjacent use cases to Lookupp (stress, sleep, screen-disconnection rituals) but at much larger scale and through a subscription model.

Emerging players

• Sweatcoin: Sweatcoin converts physical activity into a digital currency redeemable for real rewards and brand offers. It uses the same 'earn-for-behavior, redeem-for-partner-perks' mechanics that underpin Lookupp's rewards engine, but for steps rather than screen-free time.
• Achievement: Achievement rewards users with cash for healthy behaviors like walking, sleeping, and logging meals. It overlaps with Lookupp in monetizing behavior change through brand-funded rewards, though targeting health behaviors instead of phone-use behaviors.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lookupp-app
• Instagraminstagram.com/lookupp.app

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lookupp