Yope Raises $12.3M for Private, Algorithm-Free Social Networking App
Yope, a startup building a private social network without algorithms or advertising, has raised $12.3 million in a funding round led by Northzone. The round brings the company’s total funding to $20 million. Other participants include Inovo, Redseed, and Geek Ventures.
The London-based company is developing a platform focused on small, private “micro communities” where friends and family can share photos, videos, messages, and eventually play games. Unlike major social platforms, Yope defaults to private accounts, has no algorithmic feed, and does not show public content. It plans to generate revenue through premium subscriptions rather than ads.
Co-founder and CEO Bahram Ismailau said the idea emerged from extensive user research, including over 100,000 interviews supported by AI tools. The team identified demand among young people for spaces to share more candid content with close contacts, rather than broadcasting publicly as influencers. Many users currently rely on private “spam” or photo dump accounts or messaging apps for personal sharing.
Yope allows users to create customizable profile “walls” with photo collages, stickers, and personalization options. Upcoming features include AI-generated recaps of moments, mini-games for friends, and tools to facilitate real-life meetups. The app emphasizes user control and privacy.
The platform has grown to nearly 15 million registered users. According to the company, users share 10 to 20 million pieces of content weekly, with over 50% of users opening the app at least five days per week. Around 20% of active users have invited older family members to join.
Northzone partner Pär-Jörgen Pärson highlighted Yope’s approach as a contrast to “predatory practices” on larger platforms, emphasizing user control and safety.
The new capital will support product development, team expansion — currently around 35 people — and the establishment of a U.S. office. Yope is available as a free download on iOS and Android.
