About minoki.ai
Why We Built minoki
We started minoki with a simple observation: People are overwhelmed, overstimulated, and often unheard.
In a world filled with noise, it's harder than ever to find quiet — especially the kind that allows for self-reflection. Most tools are built for productivity, not presence. And when people need a space to think clearly, journal honestly, or just breathe, they're left with blank pages, cluttered apps, or the waitlist for a therapist.
But then something surprising happened.
We noticed people turning to AI — not for productivity, but for comfort. To vent. To reflect. To ask for kindness when they had no one else to ask.
That's when it clicked. This wasn't about building another writing app. This was about creating a safe, distraction-free space powered by AI — one that gently guides you inward, helps you explore your thoughts, and reminds you you're not alone.
minoki is…
- A quiet corner of the internet
- A journal that listens back
- A prompt when you're not sure where to begin
- A space to reflect, not perform
We don't pretend to replace therapy. But we believe in the power of being heard, even by a machine. And we believe that in the right environment, reflection becomes healing.
Who We Are
We are Edward Lee and Alric Siu, two college mates turned builders, with experience at Apple and Synaptics.
Over the last few months, Edward found himself stuck in a loop: burnout, short-lived recovery, and the slow crawl of what felt like a midlife crisis. Working at Apple isn't a walk in the park. He tried to push through, but therapy felt daunting, difficult to access, and expensive. Bottling it up became easier, until it wasn't.
Alric explored different paths to improve his mental health. Through that, he saw an opportunity to build something supportive and meaningful for people who don't have access to therapy or aren't ready for it.
We've both faced burnout, some of it resolved, much of it ongoing. We've had nights where we couldn't sleep. We've felt the weight of stress and anxiety in our bodies.
minoki is the tool we wished existed. Something to relax the mind, hold your thoughts with care, and gently guide you into the next day with clarity.
We're building it for ourselves. We hope it helps you too.
What Comes Next
We're just getting started. The first version of minoki will be simple — a calm, single-page experience to chat, journal, and reflect. As we grow, we'll listen closely and build slowly — always with care.
If you're someone who thinks deeply, feels fully, and needs a space to just be — welcome. minoki is for you.