How Two Widows Created an App to Revolutionize Grief Support

Karine Nissim and Eloise Bune shared two significant experiences upon their initial meeting: both had recently lost their husbands and both were accomplished tech entrepreneurs.

Overwhelmed by the profound emotions of grief and the unexpected deluge of legal, medical and financial paperwork following their spouses’ deaths, Nissim and Bune found solace in each other’s company. What began as a friendship born of heartache evolved into a partnership driven by a shared sense of hope.

Drawing on Nissim’s successful sale of her startup DogVacay to Rover in 2017 and Bune’s co-founding of Tentrr and Handwriting.io, they envisioned a grief support app encompassing a comprehensive array of resources for individuals coping with loss.

In an interview with TechCrunch, Nissim explained, “We aimed to devise a tailored roadmap that caters to each individual’s unique experience of trauma … When users engage with DayNew, we strive to provide them with organizational, emotional and social assistance.”

Karine Nissim (left) and Eloise Bune
Credit::DayNew

Launched in April 2024, DayNew offers a plethora of resources for those navigating the complexities of grief.

Upon completing a brief questionnaire to outline details of their loss and specify desired support, users gain access to a community feed where they can share their stories and seek support from others undergoing similar experiences. Additionally, the app features a journaling function that allows users to freely express themselves or respond to prompts designed to facilitate the processing of difficult emotions and thoughts. To aid in monitoring their grief journey, DayNew incorporates an integrated mood tracker enabling users to identify patterns. Moreover, the app features a Chat GPT-powered AI chatbot offering guidance on emotional processing.

In addition to its emotional support features, DayNew provides practical assistance to help bereaved individuals manage the myriad of tasks associated with losing a loved one, such as closing bank accounts, liquidating assets and sending reminders to follow up with insurance providers.

While most functionalities are available free of charge, subscribers to the grief support app gain access to the “Find a Buddy” feature, facilitating direct connections with others who have undergone similar losses. Subscribers also have the option to attend online classes or in-person events for a fee.

In a world where grief often remains veiled in silence and isolation, DayNew serves as a beacon of the transformative potential of technology in fostering connection, healing and hope.