Yope raises $12.3M to build a private social network without algorithms or ads
Startup Yope has secured $12.3 million in seed funding to create a private social network free of algorithms, ads, and public content, focusing on “micro communities” where small groups of friends and family interact privately.
As social media has evolved into large-scale entertainment platforms, Yope is building what it believes is the future of online connection: a social network with no algorithms, no ads, and no public content. The London-based startup, led by co-founder and CEO Bahram Ismailau, has raised a $12.3 million seed round led by Northzone, with participation from Inovo, Redseed, and Geek Ventures. The funding brings total investment to $20 million and will be used to further develop the product, grow the team (currently around 35 people), and establish a US office.
Yope is centered on “micro communities”—small groups where friends and family share photos, videos, messages, and soon games. Accounts are private by default, there is no algorithmic feed, and the platform is ad-free, with plans to offer a premium subscription for power users. The idea is not new, but Yope aims to scale by encouraging connections between real-world friends rather than relying on creator content.
The founders conducted over 100,000 interviews using AI tools to understand how young people use social networks. They found that about 30% use “photo dump” or “spam” accounts to share candid photos with a smaller circle, while many don’t post publicly at all. Ismailau noted that young people lack a space for self-expression if they don’t want to be influencers, yet still desire privacy. Yope aims to fill that gap.
Yope does not use AI to create content, but to enhance connections, such as generating mini-games to play with friends (expected in about a month) or helping users arrange real-life meetups. Users create profiles by sharing photos that become cut-out stickers displayed in a collage-like “wall.” They can soon add interests, favorite music, and customize colors and wallpapers, reminiscent of Myspace.
The app has attracted nearly 15 million registered users, with 10–20 million pieces of content shared daily. More than 50% of users open the app at least five days per week, and about 20% of active users have invited an older family member. Northzone partner Pär-Jörgen Pärson called Yope “a fresh, empowering and safe take on social media” in contrast to the predatory practices of Meta, TikTok, or X.
