Natural Selection
自然选择
Natural Selection (自然选择) is a Shenzhen-based AI companionship startup founded in 2024 by Tristan, who spent years building immersive romance games before pivoting to AI . The team is behind two products: EVE, an AI companion whose first teaser drew over a million views on Bilibili in August 2025 (earlier framed as a "3D virtual girlfriend" project), and Elys, an AI social app that went viral in early 2026 . In January 2026 the company announced a round of over $30 million, jointly backed by Alibaba, Ant Group, Qiming Venture Partners, 5Y Capital, Genesis Capital (创世伙伴), Yunshi Capital and others .
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Coverage
One Night in Shenzhen, We Left So Much Behind | 9 Projects at the Hunting Night
A Quick Look at 9 AI Creators in Shenzhen — You Might Just Fall for Them
Young Founder Leads AI Social
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Cyber Avatars Go Viral: AI Social App Elys Blows Up Overnight | We Rapidly Fired 15 Questions at Its Two Founders
Old-paradigm social media, get the hell out of Elys
Elys should be built as an AI-powered Neihan Duanzi.
All against all
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Qiming Weekly: 10 Portfolio Company Updates, Vol. 02, Jan. 20, 2026
Celebrating milestone moments with Qiming Venture Partners' portfolio companies
5Y News｜"Natural Selection" Closes $30 Million Funding Round
Virtual companionship steps into the real world.
"Natural Selection" Raises $30 Million as Alibaba, Ant Group Bet on AI Companions
Virtual companionship steps into the real world.
Finally, Someone's Building a 3D Virtual Girlfriend | WAVES
Love is all you need.
