Openvibe Raises $800K to Connect Open Social Networks

Openvibe, an app that combines different open social networks, has secured $800,000 in new funding.

The investment round was led by Czech Founders VC, with support from Automattic, the parent company of WordPress.com and Tumblr, and Tensor Ventures. Former Mews CTO Jan Široký also invested separately.

Openvibe launched in 2024 to help users connect across multiple platforms like Mastodon, Bluesky, Nostr, and Threads. These platforms run on different protocols, making it difficult for users to interact across them.

Openvibe simplifies this by providing a single app where users can follow friends, view a combined timeline, and even post to multiple networks at once.

CEO Matej Svancer said the new funds will be used to improve the app, grow its user base, refine the design, and integrate more social platforms.

Automattic’s involvement is significant because the company often supports open-source projects that compete with Big Tech.

However, Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg has recently faced criticism within the WordPress community, raising questions about his dedication to open-source principles.

Despite this, investors remain interested in open social platforms. Recently, billionaire Mark Cuban called for video apps built on Bluesky’s AT Protocol, and Bluesky itself raised $15 million in a Series A round last fall.

Openvibe is free to download on iOS and Android, but a subscription plan is expected in the future to generate revenue.