A stealth-mode startup called Grouphug is emerging from the shadows with a bold plan: to unlock the hidden value of WhatsApp group chats using generative AI. While the app currently offers meme creation from exported chat histories, its founders are hinting at a much more ambitious vision.
Led by European startup veteran Felix Petersen — known for apps like Amen and Plazes — Grouphug is starting small but thinking big. The app lets users export the text from WhatsApp group conversations and turn them into humorous memes. But according to Petersen, that’s just the beginning.
“We think we’ve cracked AI humor,” he told TechCrunch. “For now, Grouphug will create jokes based on what happened in the group. But then we have other plans for it.”
Unlocking the AI Potential of Private Group Chats
Petersen views WhatsApp groups as a massive untapped territory for AI — especially since, unlike Reddit or X, group chats are private and not indexed on the public internet.
“There is this world of group chats… Everything that’s in WhatsApp groups is not part of the public internet. That’s an opportunity.”
The goal is to develop a platform that uses AI to generate value from these private conversations — be it insights, summaries, personalized media, or perhaps even in-chat AI companions.
$1.7M Pre-Seed to Power the Vision
Grouphug has already raised a €1.5 million (~$1.7 million) pre-seed round. Backers include:
- BlueYard VC (lead)
- Tiny VC
- Charles Songhurst (Meta board member)
- Atlantic Labs
Joining Petersen are co-founders:
- Joseph Djenandji, founder of the multi-channel travel brand LostIn
- Matthew Balazsi, an AI/ML specialist with over a decade of experience
What’s Next for Grouphug?
While meme generation is the app’s first public-facing feature, the stealth startup clearly has a more expansive roadmap. Grouphug is positioning itself to reimagine communication within group chats through AI — a space few startups have meaningfully tapped.
For now, users can test the beta meme tool and get a glimpse of Grouphug’s creative AI engine in action. But the real innovation appears to be yet to come.
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