Martha Stewart is making her mark in the world of artificial intelligence by becoming a co-founder of Hint, an innovative app that harnesses AI to assist homeowners with various aspects of property management. The Hint app, which officially launches today, aims to simplify home maintenance tasks, manage energy usage, and provide insights into air and soil quality. It also allows users to manage insurance claims and store important documents related to their home’s upkeep.
Kyle Rush, the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Hint, emphasizes that Stewart is not just a symbolic figurehead but a deeply involved partner with a significant stake in the company. He noted that they collaborate regularly to refine the app, where Stewart actively provides feedback on its features, brand elements, and overall functionality.
Originally conceived in 2024 as a tool to help homeowners understand decarbonization incentives, the team soon recognized the broader potential of the technology. "We quickly assessed that this could serve as an AI solution for home management," Rush explained. The decision to pivot was driven by the realization that no existing app effectively helps users manage their homes.
The app enables users to create a home profile by entering their address, pulling in data from public sources such as property records, weather conditions, and soil quality. It allows homeowners to upload essential documents like warranties, insurance policies, and inspection reports, creating a comprehensive digital home file.
With this information, Hint can provide homeowners insights into factors such as soil stability and air quality. Users can learn how climate variations or local droughts might affect drainage or insurance rates, and they can obtain vital statistics about energy consumption and the potential risk of floods.
Moreover, users can document their major appliances to receive guidance on maintenance tasks, which can illuminate often-overlooked upkeep needs. For example, while many are aware that a refrigerator’s water filter needs replacing, they might not know they should vacuum the coils to avoid fire risks, or when to service their water heater.
Hint creates a tailored maintenance schedule and sends timely reminders, ensuring homeowners stay on top of their responsibilities. The app's dynamic schedule adapts to the specific conditions of each home, incorporating nuances of the property and the surrounding environment.
Stewart’s extensive experience in home management has been invaluable in shaping the app's development. Users can also add specific tasks, such as replacing a damaged window screen or re-caulking baseboards, to their maintenance routines. The app even features an overall "home score," providing an at-a-glance assessment of how well homeowners are managing their properties.
The built-in AI chatbot allows users to query anything related to their homes or documents, ranging from simple inquiries about last maintenance dates to more complex questions regarding energy costs or homeowner’s insurance specifics.
Before launching Hint, Kyle Rush honed his skills as the engineering lead at mattress startup Casper during its rapid expansion. He has also worked in key tech roles on high-profile campaigns for Obama and Hillary Clinton. Co-founder and CEO Yih-Han Ma has a background as the Senior Vice President at Red Ventures, a digital media and technology firm.
Rush’s vision for Hint stemmed from his interest in applying AI practically to assist homeowners. The app leverages technologies from commercial libraries, predominantly OpenAI, along with Gemini for image processing.
While Hint currently offers its AI functionalities for free, there are plans to introduce a premium subscription with enhanced features for users managing multiple properties. The app is already generating revenue through partnerships with service providers, ensuring that its AI remains unbiased.
Hint, creatively named to combine “home” with “intelligence,” has secured $10 million in funding from various investors, including Montauk Capital and energy-focused partners.
Currently, the iOS app is available at no charge, free from subscriptions and advertisements. Rush’s mission is clear: “We want it to be accessible to every homeowner in the country.”
