Yope Raises $12.3 Million for Ad-Free Social Network

Yope is building a friends-only network around private “micro-communities,” rejecting the algorithmic feeds, advertising and public content that underpin larger social platforms. Co-founder and CEO Bahram Ismailau said the London-based team used AI tools to conduct more than 100,000 user interviews, identifying demand among young people who want to share without performing for a broad audience. Yope is betting on subscription-based premium features instead of ads, making its ability to convert strong engagement into paid demand central to the business case.

On July 22, 2026, Yope said it raised $12.3 million in a seed round led by Northzone, bringing total funding to $20 million. The company reports nearly 15 million registered users, with 10 million to 20 million photos, videos and stickers shared each week; more than half open the app at least five days a week. The financing will support AI-generated mini-games, tools for arranging real-world meetups and a U.S. office as Yope expands its private-by-default platform.