OpenVibe Receives Backing from Automattic and Others

Openvibe Secures $800,000 Investment for Unified Social Networking

A significant advancement has been made for Openvibe, an innovative application designed to consolidate multiple open social networks. The company announced on Tuesday the successful completion of an $800,000 funding round.

This investment round was spearheaded by Czech Founders VC, with additional backing received from Automattic – the parent company of WordPress.com and Tumblr – and Tensor Ventures.

Expanding Support for Diverse Social Protocols

Launched in 2024, Openvibe initially focused on supporting three prominent open social networks. These networks each utilize distinct protocols for operation: Mastodon employs ActivityPub, Bluesky functions on the AT Protocol, and Nostr serves as the foundation for numerous third-party applications.

Subsequently, Openvibe broadened its compatibility to include Instagram Threads, following the app’s increased integration with ActivityPub and its opening to the developer community.

Addressing Fragmentation in the Open Social Web

According to CEO Matej Svancer, the core concept behind Openvibe is to provide users with a more accessible and user-friendly entry point to the open social web.

The differing protocols utilized by these networks often present challenges for new users, potentially requiring them to switch between applications or restrict their interactions to a single preferred platform.

Openvibe resolves this by enabling users to maintain connections with friends across all supported services within a unified timeline.

Furthermore, the application facilitates simultaneous cross-posting to multiple networks.

Future Development Plans

The newly acquired capital will be allocated to accelerate product development and expand Openvibe’s user base.

Plans include the integration of additional social platforms, refinement of the user interface, and ongoing improvements to the application’s functionality.

Automattic’s Investment and the Open Source Movement

Automattic’s investment is particularly noteworthy, given the company’s historical support for open-source projects.

They frequently back initiatives designed to provide alternatives to dominant technology companies.

However, recent internal issues within the WordPress community, stemming from CEO Matt Mullenweg, have prompted some to question Automattic’s dedication to open-source principles.

Growing Investor Interest in Open Social Protocols

Openvibe’s successful fundraising demonstrates a growing investor interest in applications and services leveraging new open social protocols.

Recently, Mark Cuban, a prominent investor and entrepreneur, issued a call for video applications built on Bluesky’s AT Protocol.

Bluesky itself has secured funding, including a $15 million Series A round last autumn.

Availability and Future Monetization

Openvibe is currently available as a free application on both iOS and Android platforms.

The company anticipates introducing a subscription model in the future to generate revenue.