Key facts
- Yope is building a social network with no algorithms, ads, or public content.
- The platform centers on private "micro communities" for close connections.
- A $12.3 million seed round was led by Northzone, with participation from Inovo, Redseed, and Geek Ventures.
- Yope uses AI to facilitate connections, such as creating mini-games and suggesting real-life meetups.
- The app has nearly 15 million registered users, with over 50% opening it at least five days a week.
- Funding will be used for product development, team expansion, and establishing a US office.
Yope, a startup focused on creating a private social network, has secured $12.3 million in seed funding to develop its platform, which eschews algorithms and advertisements in favor of private "micro communities." The app aims to provide a more personal and expressive space for users, particularly young people, by facilitating direct connections with friends and family.
Led by Northzone, with participation from Inovo, Redseed, and Geek Ventures, the funding round brings Yope's total capital to $20 million. The company's approach is a direct contrast to major social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok, which rely heavily on algorithmic content feeds and advertising.
Bahram Ismailau, Yope's co-founder and CEO, explained that the concept emerged from extensive user interviews, revealing a demand for more private ways to share candid moments. Yope utilizes AI not for content generation, but as a tool to enhance connections, with plans to introduce features like AI-generated mini-games and tools to facilitate real-life meetups.
The platform allows users to create personalized profiles and share content on a "wall" in a collage-like arrangement. Standard social media features such as in-app messaging and widgets are included. Yope reports nearly 15 million registered users, with a significant portion engaging daily, suggesting strong user retention.
The investment will be used to further develop the product, expand the team, and establish a presence in the United States. Northzone highlighted Yope's "fresh, empowering and safe take on social media" as a key factor in their investment decision.