Veterans of the European startup scene have launched Grouphug, an app that generates memes from WhatsApp group chats, but the founders have bigger plans in store. Led by Felix Petersen, a seasoned B2C founder who previously created apps like Amen and Plazes, Grouphug is currently in a beta phase where users can export text from group WhatsApp chats and create humorous images. However, Petersen hinted to TechCrunch that the company is working on a more comprehensive platform to unlock the potential of WhatsApp groups using generative AI.
The Bigger Picture
The simple meme generation feature is just the beginning. Petersen explained that the real opportunity lies in tapping into the vast, private world of WhatsApp group chats, which are currently not part of the public internet. “We think we’ve cracked AI humor,” Petersen said. “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.”
Funding and Founders
Grouphug 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), and Atlantic Labs. Petersen is joined by co-founders Joseph Djenandji, who recently exited his travel brand LostIn, and Matthew Balazsi, an AI and ML expert with a decade of experience.
Future Plans
While the current app is a lighthearted meme generator, the underlying technology is expected to enable more sophisticated features in the future. As Petersen noted, the private nature of WhatsApp groups presents a unique opportunity for innovation. With its initial funding and experienced team, Grouphug is poised to explore this untapped potential and potentially revolutionize how people interact with their WhatsApp groups.
