Openvibe’s intelligent app that integrates a number of open social networks, together with Bluesky, Mastodon, Nostr, and Threads, simply acquired a lift towards its future improvement. The corporate on Tuesday introduced that it has acquired exterior funding of $800,000 in a spherical led by Czech Founders VC, which incorporates backing from WordPress.com and Tumblr guardian firm, Automattic, in addition to Tensor Ventures.
Czech Founders VC and former CTO of Mews Jan Široký additionally invested individually from his agency.
Launched in 2024, Openvibe initially supported three of the extra outstanding open social networks, all of which function utilizing completely different protocols: Mastodon makes use of ActivityPub, Bluesky runs on AT Protocol, and Nostr powers plenty of third-party apps. Openvibe later added assist for Instagram Threads, as that app turned additional built-in with ActivityPub and opened itself as much as the developer group.
As CEO Matej Svancer defined on the time, the concept behind his app was to supply customers a extra pleasant and “easy-to-use gateway” to the open social internet. Due to the completely different protocols these networks make the most of, it may be tough for newcomers who find yourself having to modify apps or restrict their engagement to only their most well-liked platform.
However Openvibe doesn’t simply let individuals keep linked with mates throughout all these providers in a mixed timeline, it additionally permits cross-posting to a number of networks directly.
With the added capital, Svancer plans to speed up product improvement, develop Openvibe’s consumer base, work on integrations with different social platforms, refine the consumer interface, and extra.
As well as, Automattic’s funding is value noting, as the corporate traditionally backs initiatives within the open supply house, significantly these designed to compete with Huge Tech. (Sadly, Automattic CEO and WordPress co-creator Matt Mullenweg has created a lot of division and drama inside the WordPress group over the previous a number of months, which has some questioning his dedication to open supply values.)
Nonetheless, Openvibe’s fundraising alerts that there’s some urge for food amongst buyers for backing apps and providers which are benefiting from the brand new open social protocols. Just lately, for instance, celeb investor and entrepreneur Mark Cuban put out a name for video apps constructing on Bluesky’s AT Protocol. Bluesky has additionally raised funding, most not too long ago its $15 million Sequence A final fall.
Openvibe is accessible as a free app on iOS and Android however expects to later introduce a subscription plan to generate income.
