If you’ve ever shared a funny moment in a WhatsApp group, Grouphug might soon be your new favourite app. Still, partly in stealth mode, this startup wants to turn your everyday group conversations into clever memes using artificial intelligence. And while it may seem like a fun tool, there’s more behind the scenes.
Grouphug is the brainchild of Felix Petersen, a well-known name in Europe’s startup world. You might remember him from earlier apps like Amen and Plazes. Alongside him are co-founders Joseph Djenandji, who recently sold his travel brand LostIn, and Matthew Balazsi, who brings a decade of experience in AI and machine learning.
Currently, Grouphug offers a simple but amusing feature—you can export a group WhatsApp chat and watch it turn into a collection of funny, AI-generated images. It’s a light-hearted way to reflect on your group’s in-jokes and past conversations. But this is just the beginning.
The bigger picture behind the memes
According to Petersen, the meme generator is only the first step. Grouphug is working on something bigger: a platform that uses AI to create more meaningful and engaging content from private group chats. While social platforms like Reddit or X (formerly Twitter) offer public spaces for interaction, WhatsApp groups are private, often filled with rich conversations that stay hidden from the rest of the internet. That’s the gap Grouphug wants to fill.
“We think we’ve cracked AI humour,” Petersen said in an interview. “Grouphug will create jokes based on the group’s events. We turn your WhatsApp chats into memes. But then we have other plans for it.”
The idea is simple—find value in what’s already shared in your daily chats. Whether it’s a laugh, a moment of nostalgia, or a summary of key events in a group, Grouphug believes there’s a new way to use AI for everyday enjoyment.
Backed by major investors and ready to grow
Although still early in its journey, Grouphug has already attracted strong support. The startup has secured €1.5 million (US$1.7 million) in pre-seed funding. This round was led by Berlin-based Blueyard VC, with participation from Tiny VC, Meta board member Charles Songhurst, Atlantic Labs, and several other investors.
This funding suggests that blending AI with private social interactions is catching the interest of big names in tech and venture capital. While Grouphug is not fully public yet, the team’s experience and the investors backing them hint at exciting developments ahead.
If you’re curious, you can try the current version by uploading your WhatsApp group chats and seeing what the AI comes up with. But don’t be surprised if the app changes quickly—Petersen and his team plan to roll out more features that will likely go far beyond humour.
For now, Grouphug is keeping its full plans quiet. But one thing is clear: this isn’t just about memes—it’s about rethinking how you interact with your digital social circles privately and playfully.
