From Frustration to Startup: Why an Adulting App Was Inevitable

Despite her Ivy League degrees and a stint at Goldman Sachs, Genevieve Bellaire had no idea how to set up her 401(k), understand her health insurance, or manage a lease. “I was educated but just so unprepared to navigate life as an adult,” said Bellaire, who holds both a JD and an MBA. “I didn’t know what I didn’t know—and neither did anyone around me.” She needed something to automate adulthood.

That realization became the spark for Realworld, a startup Bellaire launched in 2018 with a mission: to make life management not just possible, but practical. What started as an onboarding tool for recent college grads has evolved into a full-blown AI-powered digital life organizer app—a kind of operating system for young adults trying to get their lives in order. Backed by nearly $8 million in venture capital, including from Bezos Expeditions and Fitz Gate Ventures, Realworld is now leaning into automation, positioning itself as the AI assistant for adulting.

From Frustration To Startup: Why An Adulting App Was Inevitable

Bellaire wasn’t alone in her struggles. As the oldest sibling in her family, she had no older brother or sister to guide her, and she found herself making costly mistakes in her 20s. “I started talking to colleagues and friends and realized this wasn’t a ‘me’ problem—it was a ‘we’ problem,” she explained.

Initially, Realworld launched as a B2B solution: a digital capstone curriculum sold to over 100 colleges across the U.S. that taught personal finance, healthcare basics, and apartment-hunting tips to soon-to-be graduates. However, when the pandemic struck in 2020, Bellaire and her team recognized that the institutional model was limiting. “It became clear the real need wasn’t in the schools—it was with individuals,” she said.

That pivot—to a direct-to-consumer mobile app—coincided with Realworld’s first significant funding round in 2021. That accomplishment is even more notable given that only about 2% of companies founded solely by women raise venture capital. The company now counts investors like The Helm, Amplifyher Ventures, and TTV Capital among its backers.

“Genevieve and her team have demonstrated exceptional vision and execution from the outset,” said Jim Cohen, General Partner at Fitz Gate Ventures. “This next iteration for the platform represents a significant leap forward in automation… Realworld is empowering individuals to focus on what truly matters.”

AI-Powered Life Management Tools That Do The Work For You

Today, Realworld isn’t just a resource—it’s a co-pilot for real life. The platform utilizes artificial intelligence to help users not only learn what to do, but also actually to do it.

Users can upload documents, such as leases or health insurance cards, and receive AI-powered summaries of key dates and obligations. Realworld sends personalized reminders for tax deadlines, license renewals, and even dental appointments. And through its “life moments” feature, users can press a button—such as “I’m pregnant,” “I’m moving,” or “I lost my job”—and receive an action plan with checklists, deadlines, and relevant tools.

“It’s kind of like life in a box,” Bellaire said. “We’re finally in the last chapter—automating adulthood.”

In January 2025, Realworld launched a major product update that leverages agentic workflows and generative AI, part of a broader trend in consumer tech toward AI-driven task management. Platforms like Google Discover and Google’s AI Overviews increasingly prioritize tools that integrate data, documents, and deadlines into seamless digital experiences.

The timing is right: The global personal productivity software market is projected to reach $150 billion by 2030, as Millennials and Gen Z seek tools that help them simplify and take control of everyday life.

“Realworld has helped me finally feel on top of my life—like I wasn’t constantly forgetting something important,” said Madeline Ryan, a 31-year-old member in Washington, D.C. “It’s like having an assistant for adulthood.”

Overcoming Founder Roadblocks As A Nontechnical Solo Female CEO

For Bellaire, her legal training turned out to be a hidden advantage. “Law school taught me pattern recognition,” she said. “That helped me see that this wasn’t an isolated issue—it was a gap no one was filling.”

She also credits her JD/MBA background with the ability to break down complex systems into digestible parts. That skill shaped Realworld’s early educational content and now powers its AI engine, which turns life-chaos into structured guidance.

Still, the road hasn’t been easy. As a nontechnical, solo founder, Bellaire had to teach herself product design, build an investor network from scratch, and fundraise remotely during the height of the pandemic. “It was just Zoom meeting after Zoom meeting from my kitchen table,” she said. “No events, no in-person connection—it was tough.”

What helped? “Founders supporting founders,” she said. “Other entrepreneurs helped me read the tea leaves and avoid big mistakes. That community was essential.”

What’s Next: Scaling The OS For Adulthood

With a growing user base, strong investor support, and a product tailor-made for the AI era, Bellaire is betting that Realworld can become the go-to platform for managing modern life.

She’s also working on a book—a life management manual aimed at the millions of young adults who were never given a playbook.

“Everyone deserves a system that helps them stay on top of life,” Bellaire said. “We’re just the first to build it—and we’re making automating adulthood not just possible, but transformational.”