eYou Raises €300K Pre-Seed to Build a European Social Media Platform with Real-Time Fact-Checking Baked In

BUCHAREST, ROMANIA – March 17, 2026 – eYou, a new Bucharest-based social media platform, has successfully closed a €300,000 pre-seed funding round from Fil Rouge Capital. This investment is set to propel the development of a distinctly European social network that integrates real-time, AI-powered fact-checking and transparent algorithms, positioning itself as a trust-by-design alternative to dominant platforms like X and Facebook. The startup, co-founded by French serial entrepreneurs Grégoire Vigroux and Jasseem Allybokus, is gearing up for a public launch in May 2026, with a waitlist already accessible via eyou.social.

Addressing the Core Challenges of Digital Discourse

eYou directly confronts two pervasive issues plaguing contemporary social media: the rapid dissemination of misinformation and the formation of ideological echo chambers. The platform's flagship feature introduces an AI-generated assessment that surfaces in a pop-up when users interact with a post. This assessment, drawing from what eYou describes as credible and neutral sources, summarizes the veracity of claims, allowing users to challenge potentially misleading content without disrupting ongoing conversations.

Beyond fact-checking, eYou is pioneering a transparency layer for its feed algorithm. Unlike the opaque recommendation systems prevalent today, eYou empowers users to view and even modify the algorithmic profile constructed about them. This innovative approach is designed to help users deliberately broaden their content exposure, fostering engagement with diverse viewpoints and actively counteracting the isolation of algorithmically reinforced bubbles.

Grégoire Vigroux, eYou’s co-founder and CCO, emphasized the platform's foundational philosophy. "Unlike traditional social networks that amplify engagement at any cost, eYou has been built to prioritise trust," Vigroux stated. "Social media was originally meant to connect people and democratise information. But over time it has also become a powerful engine for polarisation and misinformation. We believe there is a real need, and urgent demand, for a new type of platform built around transparency, accountability and trust."

A European Vision for Digital Trust

Central to eYou's design and market appeal is its deep commitment to European principles of data protection and privacy. Built with GDPR compliance at its core, the platform aims to differentiate itself from US-centric counterparts by aligning with the robust regulatory environment that European users increasingly expect. This strategic choice is framed as a crucial differentiator in a crowded and often criticized digital landscape.

Jasseem Allybokus, co-founder and CEO, articulated this vision further. "Most social platforms today are designed to show users more of what they already agree with. That reinforces echo chambers and allows misinformation to spread faster than facts," Allybokus explained. "eYou introduces a radically different approach to online discussion, one built around European principles of transparency, accountability, and exposure to diverse viewpoints."

Experienced Leadership Backed by Strategic Investment

The eYou team brings a wealth of entrepreneurial and technical expertise. Grégoire Vigroux is a notable figure in the Romanian startup ecosystem, known for co-founding CallPoint New Europe, which scaled to over 1,000 employees before its acquisition by TELUS International. His portfolio also includes BonApp, a mobile food waste app, and Fenix.eco, a refurbished smartphone store successfully sold to Recommerce within 14 months.

Jasseem Allybokus complements this with significant technical depth, having previously served as CTO at Visiperf, a French digital marketing technology company, and co-founded Ecrilib, a creative writing community platform. Together, their combined experience positions eYou with strong leadership for its ambitious mission.

The €300,000 pre-seed funding comes from Fil Rouge Capital's accelerator program. The Croatian-founded early-stage venture fund, which expanded into Romania in 2025 with Matei Dumitrescu as its local Venture Partner, offers initial funding and a pathway to follow-on VC investment of up to €1 million. Fil Rouge Capital boasts a strong track record, having backed over 170 companies since 2014, with successful portfolio exits including DocPlanner and happn.

Matei Dumitrescu, partner at Fil Rouge Capital, expressed confidence in the venture: "The founders bring strong entrepreneurial experience, a clear vision, and they are tackling one of the most important challenges facing digital platforms today: trust. eYou has the potential to become the leading European social media player."

The Road Ahead for a Trust-Centric Social Network

With its public launch slated for May 2026, eYou will be accessible across multiple platforms, including iOS, Android, and both mobile and desktop web. While the platform is open to users globally, its core architecture, regulatory framework, and investor positioning are unequivocally European. This strategic emphasis signals a deliberate move to offer a distinct and integrity-driven alternative in the global social media landscape, aiming to redefine user expectations around trust and transparency online.

FAQ

Q: What are eYou's primary distinguishing features?

A: eYou's main distinguishing features are its real-time, AI-generated fact-checking system, which provides veracity assessments in pop-ups, and a transparent algorithm that allows users to view and edit their profiles to broaden content exposure and avoid echo chambers.

Q: Who are the founders of eYou?

A: eYou was co-founded by Grégoire Vigroux, who serves as CCO, and Jasseem Allybokus, the CEO. Both are French entrepreneurs with extensive experience in the tech and startup sectors.

Q: When is eYou expected to launch publicly, and where will it be available?

A: eYou is targeting a public launch in May 2026. It will be available on iOS, Android, and via both mobile and desktop web, open to users globally while maintaining a strong European design and regulatory focus.