Co-Star Astrology Society
AcquiredNew York, US · Founded 2017 · Delaware corporation · 2 known investors
New York astrology app maker behind Co–Star, acquired by AI lab Midjourney in a deal announced July 2026.
Also known as Co-Star · Co–Star · Co–Star Personalized Astrology
Founders & leadership
Co-Star Astrology Society was founded in 2017 by Banu Guler.
Board
Investors · 2
Reported raises · per SEC filings
Form D private placements$20.9M disclosed across 3 rounds · 2018–2021
▶$15MraisedApr 2021 · 22 investors · OtherRule 506(b)
- Banu GulerExecutive Officer, Director
- Anarghya VardhanaDirector
- Kevin ThauDirector
- Offering amount
- $15M
- Amount sold
- $15M
- Minimum investment
- $1
- First sale
- Mar 2021
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware, 2017
- Federal exemptions
- 06b
▶$5.2MraisedApr 2019 · 13 investors · OtherRule 506(b)
- Ben WeitzmanExecutive Officer, Director
- Banu GulerExecutive Officer, Director
- Anarghya VardhanaDirector
- Anna KoppDirector
- Offering amount
- $5.2M
- Amount sold
- $5.2M
- Minimum investment
- $1
- First sale
- Mar 2019
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware, 2017
- Federal exemptions
- 06b
▶$750KraisedMar 2018 · 10 investors · OtherRule 506(b)
- Ben WeitzmanExecutive Officer, Director
- Anna KoppDirector
- Banu GulerExecutive Officer, Director
- Offering amount
- $750K
- Amount sold
- $750K
- Minimum investment
- $1
- First sale
- Mar 2018
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware, 2017
- Federal exemptions
- 06b
Source: SEC EDGAR Form D. Amounts as filed; amended filings shown once at their latest values.
Company profile
researched Aug 2026Co-Star Astrology Society is a New York-based mobile software company that develops Co–Star, a personalized and social astrology application for iPhone and iMessage. The app generates natal (birth) charts and daily horoscopes by charting the real-time position of celestial bodies using NASA data, which is then interpreted through a combination of AI systems and human astrologers. The company describes its editorial voice as "biting truth," and its blunt push notifications became a widely shared cultural artifact among Gen Z and millennial users.
Core product features include adding friends to compare natal charts and view compatibility, personalized daily horoscopes, daily push notifications, and guidance on reading a full birth chart. Paid features include a question-and-answer feature, viewing the full natal chart of a person who does not use the app, a personalized report on romantic patterns, and Eros, a couples feature offering guidance on everyday relationship situations based on zodiac compatibility.
The company launched the app in 2017 and grew it to roughly 4.3 million monthly active users. In spring 2026 it was acquired by Midjourney, an AI lab known for image and video generation tools; the deal was announced on July 24, 2026 with undisclosed terms, and Co-Star's team of about two dozen employees joined Midjourney.
Business model
Consumer mobile application distributed free of charge with in-app purchases. Premium tiers unlock features such as personal question answers, full natal charts of non-users, personalized reports on romantic behavior, and Eros for couples.
Freemium: the app is free with paid in-app purchases and premium features. Some user reviews characterize the in-app purchases as expensive.
Traction
Approximately 4.3 million monthly active users as of the 2026 acquisition reporting; 4.8 average rating from about 206,000 App Store ratings; Editors' Choice designation and two App of the Day features; ranked #50 in the App Store Lifestyle category.
Latest developments
Midjourney's acquisition of Co-Star, first reported by Bloomberg on July 24, 2026, closed in spring 2026 on undisclosed terms. Co-Star's roughly two dozen employees joined Midjourney, and founder Banu Guler remained, with Midjourney CEO David Holz writing that the app "will remain entirely under Banu's control and direction." Reporting frames the deal as part of a broader Midjourney expansion that includes building its first standalone image-generation/consumer app and initiatives such as Midjourney Medical, with Holz saying roughly half a dozen similarly ambitious projects would be announced over the following six months.
▸Full profile — market position, technology, go-to-market, geography, history, risks & controversies
Market position
A widely recognized consumer astrology app with roughly 4.3 million monthly active users, a 4.8-star rating across about 206,000 US App Store ratings, and a #50 rank in the App Store's Lifestyle chart. Coverage describes its cultural footprint as exceeding its user numbers.
Combines NASA astronomical data with human astrologers collaborating with AI, and positions astrology as a social network in which users compare charts with friends rather than reading generic sign-based horoscopes. Its distinct blunt editorial voice is cited as a primary driver of its brand.
Technology
The product charts the exact real-time location of the stars using NASA data, then interprets that data through human astrologers working alongside AI technology to produce birth charts, daily horoscopes, compatibility assessments and push notifications. Charts are computed from a user's birth date and time down to the minute.
Go-to-market
Direct-to-consumer distribution through the Apple App Store, amplified by social media channels (Instagram, TikTok, Twitter), press coverage in outlets such as the New York Times, Vogue and Vanity Fair, celebrity mentions, and organic sharing of screenshots of the app's push notifications. The app has been an App Store Editors' Choice selection and twice named App of the Day.
Consumers interested in astrology and personalized self-reflection content, particularly Gen Z and millennial smartphone users who share and compare charts with friends, partners and coworkers.
Geography
Headquartered in New York, New York, with an on-site office; the company was listed at 401 Broadway, New York in a 2021 funding filing. The App Store listing is in English.
History
Founded in 2017 in New York; the Co–Star app launched the same year. A $15 million financing was recorded in an April 2021 SEC filing. In spring 2026 the company was acquired by Midjourney, with the transaction publicly reported on July 24, 2026.
Risks & controversies
Commentary published alongside the acquisition raises the risk of strategic focus dilution at the acquirer as it expands across astrology, healthcare and spa services, and notes that undisclosed deal terms make it difficult to assess whether the transaction was strategic or opportunistic. User reviews cite high in-app purchase pricing and content repetition; the app's marketing materials address user concerns about data handling.
Compiled by commissioned research from 6 cited public sources — announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.
Key figures
latest reportedCompany-reported or press-reported figures, each dated to when it was claimed — not independently audited.
Timeline · 2
launches, deals, and filingsAI lab Midjourney acquired Co-Star; the deal reportedly closed in spring 2026 and was announced/first reported on July 24, 2026 by Bloomberg. Financial terms were not disclosed. Co-Star's team of roughly two dozen employees joined Midjourney, and Midjourney CEO David Holz stated in a blog post that the app would remain entirely under founder Banu Guler's control and direction. Midjourney indicated the team would help build its first standalone consumer app.
An initial filing recorded a $15 million raise from a $15 million offering, categorized as a Venture - Series Unknown round, with the company listed at 401 Broadway, New York.
$15M source ↗
Dated company events from announcements, filings, and press; legal rows summarize public dockets and regulator releases.
Legal entities · 1
corporate structure▸Research sources · 6
primary sources listed
6 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does Co-Star Astrology Society do?
- New York astrology app maker behind Co–Star, acquired by AI lab Midjourney in a deal announced July 2026.
- Who founded Co-Star Astrology Society?
- Co-Star Astrology Society was founded by Banu Guler in 2017.
- Who are Co-Star Astrology Society's investors?
- Co-Star Astrology Society's investors include Maveron, Spark Capital.
- How much funding has Co-Star Astrology Society raised?
- Co-Star Astrology Society has disclosed $20.9M raised across 3 rounds.
- Where is Co-Star Astrology Society headquartered?
- Co-Star Astrology Society is headquartered in New York, US.