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<\/p>\nPosted by Robbie McLachlan, Developer Marketing<\/em><\/p>\n They saw a problem and built the answer. Meet 20 #WeArePlay founders from across the U.S. who started their entrepreneurial journey with a question like: what if reading was no longer a barrier for anyone? What if an app could connect neighbors to fight local hunger? What if fitness or self-care could feel as engaging as playing a game?<\/p>\n These new stories showcase how innovation often starts with finding the answer to a personal problem. Here are just a few of our favorites:<\/p>\n Growing up with dyslexia, Cliff always wished he could enjoy books but found reading them challenging. After moving to the U.S., the then college student turned that personal challenge into a solution for millions. His app, Speechify<\/a>, empowers people by turning any text\u2014from PDFs to web pages\u2014into audio. By making the written word accessible to all, Cliff\u2019s innovation gives students, professionals, and auditory learners a new kind of independence.<\/p>\n As a teen, Jenny funded her computer science studies by teaching herself to code and publishing over 100 games. A passionate cross-country runner, she wanted to combine her love for gaming and fitness to make exercise feel more like an adventure. The result is Run Legends<\/a>, a multiplayer RPG where players battle monsters by moving in real life. Jenny\u2019s on a mission to blend all types of exercise with playful storytelling, turning everyday fitness into a fun, social, and heroic quest.<\/p>\n As engineers, Nino and Stephanie knew the power of technology but found the world of self-care apps overwhelming. Inspired by their own mental health journeys and a gamified app Stephanie built in college, they created Finch<\/a>. The app introduces a fresh take on the virtual pet: by completing small, positive actions for yourself, like journaling or practicing breathing exercises, you care for your digital companion. With over 10 million downloads, Finch has helped people around the world build healthier habits. With seasonal events every month and growing personalization, the app continues to evolve to make self-care more fun and rewarding.<\/p>\n John began coding as a nine-year-old in Nigeria, sometimes with just a pen and paper. After moving to the U.S., he was struck by how much food from events was wasted while people nearby went hungry. That spark led him to create The HungreeApp<\/a>, a platform that connects communities with free, surplus food from businesses and restaurants. John\u2019s ingenuity turns waste into opportunity, creating a more connected and resourceful nation, one meal at a time.<\/p>\n While working as a chemical engineer, Anthony dreamed of creating an idle game like the ones he loved to play, leading him to teach himself how to code from scratch. This passion project turned into his studio Tech Tree Games<\/a> and the hit title Idle Planet Miner<\/a>, where players grow a space mining empire filled with mystical planets and alluring gems. After releasing a 2.0 update with enhanced visuals for the game, Anthony is back in prototyping mode with new titles in the pipeline.<\/p>\n Discover more #WeArePlay<\/a> stories from the US and stories from across the globe.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEj5yKBvGa0SBiOqlRUDDD4X-SODElpjcJPi8vKnnEMS2hboIzF0uc0cK8zRFljuyccVdHGdOFp2CLviCcLZSpqNWqx6q4DhuHBjrEcl25TyB4vCdnur3L2vJgHCAv8Uv095rhc1xTcH7RPjxjEXxt3ZreVI-DhVnEvkrhRx6O5Iqd39L79p4Ug-MW3BxZY\/s1600\/US_Blog_HeaderImage_1200x600px.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nCliff\u2019s app Speechify makes the written word accessible to all<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/div>\nJenny\u2019s game Run Legends turns everyday fitness into a social adventure<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/div>\nNino and Stephanie\u2019s app Finch makes self-care a rewarding daily habit<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/div>\nJohn\u2019s app The HungreeApp connects communities to fight hunger<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/div>\nAnthony\u2019s game studio Tech Tree Games turns a passion for idle games into cosmic adventures for aspiring tycoons<\/span><\/h3>\n
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