✝️ From Doubt to Devotion: How Hallow Became the #1 Prayer App

In partnership with

Hey Deal Lifters! 🚀

Ever thought a personal spiritual journey could spark a global movement? Meet Alex Jones (no, not that one), the visionary behind Hallow—the world's leading Catholic prayer and meditation app. Let's delve into how a quest for deeper faith transformed into a tech sensation.

StartEngine’s $30M Surge — Own a Piece Before June 26

Private markets are having a moment, thanks to companies like StartEngine.

The leading alternative investing platform is helping everyday investors like you access deals once reserved for VCs and insiders, including exposure to private market titans like OpenAI, Databricks, and Perplexity.¹

How’s it going? In Q1 2025, StartEngine pulled off $30M in revenue, its biggest quarter ever (based on unaudited financials).²

But StartEngine isn’t just a middleman. The company earns 20% carried interest on select pre-IPO offerings, unlocking value for shareholders when these deals succeed.³

How can you tap into this diversification play? By investing in StartEngine.

StartEngine has crowdfunded $85M+ to date, and you can join 45K+ shareholders before the company’s current round closes on June 26.

Invest in StartEngine

_{Reg A+ via StartEngine Crowdfunding, Inc. No BD/intermediary involved. Investment is speculative, illiquid & high risk. See OC and Risks on page.}

🧠 The Epiphany: Merging Mindfulness with Faith

Raised Catholic, Alex drifted from his faith during his youth. Exploring secular meditation apps left him yearning for something more spiritually fulfilling. This led him to rediscover ancient Catholic practices like Lectio Divina and Ignatian spirituality. Realizing a gap in the market, Alex, along with friends Erich Kerekes and Alessandro DiSanto, launched Hallow in December 2018.

📲 Building the MVP: A Modern Tool for Ancient Practices

The initial version of Hallow offered guided audio sessions rooted in Catholic tradition, including meditative prayers, the Rosary, and Scripture-based reflections. The app aimed to provide a simple, user-friendly platform to foster a relationship with God through guided prayer and meditation.

🚀 Rapid Growth: From Humble Beginnings to Global Reach

Starting with modest earnings of about $6,500 per month, Hallow's authenticity resonated with users. By early 2021, it surpassed 1 million downloads. Fast forward to May 2023, the app had over 10 million downloads and, in February 2024, it became the first religious app to reach #1 on Apple’s App Store, surpassing giants like Netflix and Spotify.

💰 Funding the Mission: Backed by Faith and Capital

Hallow has raised over $157 million across six funding rounds. Notably, a $50 million Series C round was completed in May 2023, led by Goodwater Capital. The app's investors include prominent names like Peter Thiel and Drive Capital, underscoring the confidence in Hallow's mission and business model.

🌟 Celebrity Endorsements: Amplifying the Message

Hallow's reach expanded with endorsements from celebrities like Mark Wahlberg and Jonathan Roumie (known for portraying Jesus in The Chosen). Wahlberg starred in a 2024 Super Bowl commercial for Hallow, encouraging collective prayer during the big game.

📈 The Impact: A Testament to Faith and Innovation

As of 2025, Hallow boasts over 20 million downloads and more than 500 million prayers prayed through the app. It's not just an app; it's a movement that's bringing people closer to their faith through technology.

🧠 Deal Lift Takeaway: Mission-Driven Success

Alex Jones and his team aren't just building a company; they're on a mission to make prayer accessible in the digital age. Their journey illustrates how aligning personal conviction with innovation can lead to extraordinary success.

So, what's your mission? Could your passion be the foundation for the next big thing?

Feel inspired? Share your thoughts and let us know which unconventional idea you're ready to turn into the next big thing! 💡

What Top Execs Read Before the Market Opens

The Daily Upside was built by investment pros to give execs the intel they need—no fluff, just sharp insights on trends, deals, and strategy. Join 1M+ professionals and subscribe for free.

Join 1M+ professionals and subscribe for free.