## Grouphug Aims to Infuse WhatsApp Groups with AI-Powered Humor
A new startup called Grouphug is emerging from stealth mode with plans to leverage artificial intelligence within WhatsApp groups. Founded by veterans of the European startup scene, including Felix Petersen, the brains behind Amen and Plazes, Grouphug is initially launching with a simple, yet intriguing feature: generating memes from the archive of a group WhatsApp chat.
However, the meme generator is just the tip of the iceberg. Petersen hinted to TechCrunch that the company’s long-term vision is far more ambitious. Grouphug is developing a platform designed to unlock hidden value within WhatsApp groups using generative AI.
“We think we’ve cracked AI humor,” Petersen explained. “For now, Grouphug will create jokes based on what happened in the group. We turn your WhatsApp chats into memes. But then we have other plans for it.”
Grouphug aims to tap into a largely unexplored data source: the private conversations taking place within WhatsApp groups. Unlike public platforms like Reddit or X, these chats remain outside the purview of the public internet, presenting a unique opportunity for AI-driven insights and applications.
The company has already secured €1.5 million ($1.7 million) in pre-seed funding, led by Berlin-based Blueyard VC, with participation from Tiny VC, Charles Songhurst (a Meta board member), Atlantic Labs, and others. Joining Petersen on the founding team are Joseph Djenandji, who recently exited his travel brand LostIn, and Matthew Balazsi, an expert in AI and ML with over a decade of experience.
While the full scope of Grouphug’s AI-powered WhatsApp platform remains under wraps, the startup’s initial offering suggests a focus on humor and engagement. It remains to be seen how Grouphug will navigate the privacy considerations inherent in accessing and analyzing personal conversations, but the company’s vision of unlocking the potential of WhatsApp groups through AI is certainly intriguing.
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