Ten Thousand People Go to Sleep with AI on "Solo Echo" Every Night | A Conversation with Dengke Wang on AI Companionship Products and the Changing Startup Narrative

We often come across Dengke Wang's name on social media and in news reports. His "哄哄模拟器" (Honghong Simulator) once drew widespread industry attention, and his articles periodically go viral on WeChat Moments, sharing stories and feelings that resonate deeply with readers.

When we recently sat down with Wang, he told us he's now pouring all his energy into "Duxiang," an AI companion product. So far, Duxiang has successfully closed a funding round, built up 600,000 users and 50,000 DAUs, and generated a staggering 40,000 organic Xiaohongshu posts.

This week on "Crossroads," you'll hear Wang's observations on AI-era companion products and product insights, his vision for Duxiang, its features, and how the team markets on Xiaohongshu.

We also talked with Wang about his nearly ten years of entrepreneurial experience and the shifts he's observed in "startup narratives." Through this episode, you might understand why an entrepreneur who grew up reading Zhuangzi believes that founding companies is the lifestyle best suited for him — and how he maintains a relatively relaxed state.

A note worth adding here: Wang's stories, methods, and insights may not apply to everyone. Each person has their own path and way of living. But we think his story shows us that some entrepreneurs who don't seem to fit traditional or standard narratives are also walking their own paths in their own ways. The world should have many roads.

🚥 02:41 Dengke Wang's background: started a company as a college senior

03:36 Why he's now focused on Duxiang: what opportunity did he spot?

04:29 Duxiang offers one-to-many asynchronous communication, encouraging users to build long-term, positive relationships with AI

05:21 The main problems with current AI companion products

07:01 Duxiang's North Star metric: the depth of emotional connection users form with AI

08:25 Does pursuing deep emotional connection run into limited commercial value?

09:34 He's documented many possible AI applications; he believes in AI companionship as both an opportunity and a personally interesting direction

11:29 "I'm a very 'light' person, an observer"

12:35 AI will intensify human isolation — can AI offer a positive relationship?

15:15 How user expectations for Duxiang's companionship differ from other apps

17:41 A Duxiang feature: users can "sleep together" with AI

19:50 An "emo mode" users can activate when feeling down

21:45 No paid acquisition; the most important marketing channel is Xiaohongshu

22:21 Xiaohongshu marketing takeaways: the product needs real differentiation; create content yourself; be genuine

26:10 Even with a large budget today, he'd temporarily choose not to do paid acquisition — wait until the product is more universally appealing

27:45 Vision for Duxiang: very high ceiling, floor is a supplementary tool for human emotion

29:09 Viral WeChat articles, and choosing different AI application directions with a friend

31:04 Not particularly obsessed with efficiency, but startups need to run efficiently — how to balance?

32:59 The concept of "AI companion" is still too broad

35:32 Neither 6pen nor Honghong Simulator really caught the "wind"

37:32 He's seen many startup failures; investing too much in wrong or uncertain directions is a major cause

39:10 He seems very relaxed — what does he do to unwind? Don't let yourself get too busy

41:44 His relaxed state comes from reading a lot of Zhuangzi as a child

43:01 The only way to devote all his energy to what he wants to do is through entrepreneurship

44:32 From deciding to start a company as a senior to now, he's never wanted to go back to working for someone else

45:33 "Don't leave the table" is about the table itself, not about winning

47:21 Meeting VCs in a relaxed state — do investors support that?

49:17 On-the-ground feel: domestic investors have become more positive about AI investment in the past two years, but views are also more diverse

52:51 Startup team mentality: graduation day vs. now

55:44 "What people can decide in this world is very limited"

57:02 A more diverse world, startups and mature companies both changing: the importance of individuals will keep growing

58:36 "Brute force miracles" remain key to big company success, but more medium/small teams will live well

01:01:20 Observing young people's characteristics using AI companion products, from Duxiang's user base

01:03:51 Compared to himself fresh out of school: same core, much growth

01:06:02 Best decision made: starting a company, and keeping at it

01:07:19 What catching the wind feels like: things flow smoothly

01:10:21 Aspires to become a company like Nintendo

01:11:19 Catering to mainstream narratives and shaping yourself into what others like doesn't guarantee success; better to be yourself

01:12:34 As a "light person," the wish he hopes to fulfill

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🚦 "Crossroads" is Steve Jobs' metaphor for Apple — standing at the intersection of technology and liberal arts, where great products are born. AI is transforming industries, and we seek out, interview, and bring together a new generation of AI entrepreneurs and active players in the AI era. Together with them, we explore and embrace the new changes and new possibilities.

👦🏻 Host Koji: Co-founded Jiepang / The Fair / Tangdao, launched AI Hacker House, a community space for a new generation of AI entrepreneurs. I believe technology, especially AI, represents the greatest value creation opportunity for our generation. Feel free to reach out to chat, bounce ideas, and connect on what's next. Koji on Jike, Koji's website

👧🏻 Host Ronghui: Worked at a dollar-denominated VC, spent five years as a Silicon Valley correspondent, tracking technology development and business stories. Feel free to reach out to chat and exchange ideas. Ronghui on Jike

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