Yope raises $12.3M to build a private social network without algorithms or ads

Focused on private groups of friends and family, Yope has raised $12.3 million in seed funding from investors betting that the future of social networking lies in small, private communities powered by messaging, photo sharing, and, blergh, AI features designed to strengthen real-world relationships. It sounds kinda like old-school Facebook meets the fediverse, but with AI.

techcrunch.com/2026/07/22/yope-raises-12-3m-to-build-a-private-social-network-without-algorithms-or-ads/

the fediverse works because its not trying to make money. if this company raised money already that means people believe they will see a return. so how does it make money?

i cant read the article because i guess techcrinch has i trusive ads and doesnt like my ad blocker

That’s weird. I’m running FF with noscript and ublock origin and am able to read it. But anyway to answer your question it looks like they will have basic and premium user/group types, with the latter being paid.