eYou raises €300K to build an European social media platform focused on trust

A new Bucharest-based startup is betting that the future of social media in Europe will be built not on engagement, but on trust.

eYou, a platform designed to combat online misinformation and rebuild confidence in digital conversations, has secured €300,000 in pre-seed funding from Fil Rouge Capital ahead of its planned public launch in May.

Built in Romania but targeting a global audience, eYou integrates real-time fact-checking tools directly into the user experience — allowing people to verify claims and challenge misleading information as discussions unfold.

From frustration with social media to a European alternative

The idea for eYou emerged from the personal experience of co-founder and CCO Grégoire Vigroux, a serial entrepreneur and investor active across Central and Eastern Europe.

“I actually loved Twitter in the early days,” he says. “But last year I logged in and my feed was dominated by posts from Elon Musk — even though I had never followed him.”

For Vigroux, the experience highlighted how easily major platforms can be shaped by ownership and algorithmic priorities.

A second moment reinforced his concerns: a message sent by Pavel Durov to Romanian users via Telegram on the morning of a presidential election, alleging foreign interference.

“When something like that happens just before people vote, you realise how powerful these platforms have become in shaping public opinion,” he says.

These experiences led Vigroux and co-founder and CEO Jasseem Allybokus to build what they describe as a European alternative — one aligned with regional values around privacy, transparency, and digital sovereignty.

Real-time fact-checking at the core

At the centre of eYou’s product is a built-in fact-checking system embedded under every post.

Users can click a dedicated button to analyse content in real time. The system breaks down posts — which can contain up to 3,000 characters — into individual claims, assigns each a credibility score, and provides explanations based on neutral, verified sources.

This approach aims to tackle one of social media’s most persistent problems: the rapid spread of misinformation, which studies suggest can travel significantly faster than factual content.

“We want users to challenge misinformation without interrupting the flow of conversation,” says Vigroux.

The platform also introduces a reputation system. Users who consistently share accurate information are rewarded with greater visibility, while those spreading misleading content are algorithmically deprioritised.

Multiple AI models to reduce bias

Recognising that fact-checking is inherently complex, eYou avoids relying on a single AI model.

“Four large language models compete in real time to provide the most accurate response,” Vigroux explains. “Because each model has its own biases, combining them reduces the risk of a single perspective dominating.”

The system is also designed to detect nuance — including satire. In internal testing, it successfully identified humorous content from outlets such as The Onion, flagging it appropriately rather than misclassifying it as factual reporting.

Rethinking engagement and algorithms

Beyond fact-checking, eYou is rethinking how users interact on social platforms.

Instead of passive reactions, users who disagree with a post must explain why — encouraging more thoughtful debate. The interface combines this with lighter features like emoji reactions to maintain a sense of social interaction.

Crucially, the platform introduces algorithmic transparency. Users can view and edit the profile the system builds about them, influencing how content is recommended and helping them escape echo chambers.

Moderation, identity, and open questions

Like all emerging social platforms, eYou faces challenges around moderation and harmful content.

The company is עדיין refining its approach, weighing options between outright bans and algorithmic suppression for categories such as conspiracy theories or hate speech.

“Finding the right balance between freedom of expression and moderation is difficult,” Vigroux says. “We’re still defining where that line should be.”

At launch, onboarding will prioritise speed and accessibility, with users self-declaring age requirements. More robust identity verification may be introduced later, while bot detection relies on proprietary systems developed in-house.

Building with a “tiny team”

In contrast to many venture-backed startups, eYou operates with a deliberately lean structure.

The company has been built almost entirely by its two founders, with Jasseem Allybokus leading technical development. Rather than scaling headcount, the startup works with external partners for functions like marketing and user acquisition.

“We follow a ‘tiny team’ philosophy,” says Vigroux. “We collaborate with specialised entrepreneurs instead of building large internal teams.”

An European bet on trust

As debates around misinformation, platform power, and digital sovereignty intensify across Europe, eYou is positioning itself at the intersection of all three.

“Social media was meant to democratise information,” Vigroux says. “But it has also become an engine for polarisation and misinformation.”

With fresh funding secured and a launch on the horizon, the startup is betting that a transparency-first, trust-driven model can offer a viable alternative in a crowded — and increasingly scrutinised — social media landscape.