Yubo
Yubo is a Paris-based social discovery platform serving young adults (18+) through real-time livestreams, swipes, and messaging across 140+ countries, with proprietary safety infrastructure including 100% age verification and AI-powered content moderation.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersParis, France
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Yubo does
Yubo (operated by Twelve-App SAS) is a Paris-headquartered social discovery platform founded in 2015 that serves young adults across 140+ countries through real-time livestreams, profile swiping, direct messaging, and group chats. The platform distinguishes itself from mainstream social media by eliminating follower counts, likes, and algorithmic feeds, centering instead on authentic friend connections among approximately 80 million registered users. Effective November 2025, Yubo transitioned to an exclusively 18+ platform, aligning with global age assurance regulations in the UK, US, and Australia.
The platform's architecture is built around a safety-by-design and privacy-by-design philosophy. Yubo was the first major social platform globally to implement 100% age verification (September 2022) through a partnership with Yoti using facial age estimation technology, processing over 290 million age checks with an 87% first-attempt success rate. It also pioneered real-time AI-powered video moderation for livestreams (2020) and launched SafeBlur in November 2024—an AI tool that automatically blurs inappropriate content in direct messages. The app is distributed exclusively through the Apple App Store and Google Play, with Stripe handling direct checkout for US iOS users.
Yubo's revenue model is built entirely on user-paid premium features rather than advertising. The freemium core app generates revenue through YuBucks (virtual currency for visibility and interaction tools) and auto-renewing subscription packs, processed via app store billing or Stripe. The company reports approximately €60 million in annual revenue with profitability in major markets after 10 years of operations, having last raised external capital in November 2020 ($56.35M Series C, led by Alven and others, totaling ~$74.5M across four rounds).
Yubo firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Yubo
- Legal name
- Twelve-App SAS
- Website
- https://yubo.live
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Yubo is a Paris-based social discovery platform serving young adults (18+) through real-time livestreams, swipes, and messaging across 140+ countries, with proprietary safety infrastructure including 100% age verification and AI-powered content moderation.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Yubo industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Social Discovery Platform
- NAICS
- Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210), Information (51), Broadcasting and Content Providers (516)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)
- akta.pro primary industry
- User-Generated Content (UGC) & Short-Form Video Platforms (BPAMAJAH)
Keywords
Where Yubo is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Paris
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Yubo business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- In-App Virtual Items (YuBucks): YuBucks are virtual coins users purchase to unlock or activate special features such as increased visibility tools, enhanced interaction features, and profile boost tools. YuBucks are personal, non-transferable, non-refundable, and have no monetary value outside the app. This is the primary revenue driver.
- Subscription Packs: Subscription packs offer access to specific digital items and features. Subscriptions automatically renew for the same duration and conditions unless cancelled. Prices vary by country, promotional offers, and pack size. Revenue managed through app stores (Apple App Store, Google Play) and Stripe for U.S. iOS direct checkout.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Free core app — no charge to download and access main social discovery features including swipes, Lives, chats, and basic profile tools. |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | YuBucks — virtual coin packs for unlocking premium in-app features and visibility tools. |
| Subscription | Monthly | Subscription Packs — recurring subscriptions offering access to specific digital features and content. |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Yubo product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Yubo is a mobile-first social discovery platform that enables young adults (Gen Z, 18+) to make authentic connections through real-time group livestreams (Lives), profile swiping, direct messaging, and interest-based tags. The free core app monetizes through optional in-app purchases of YuBucks (virtual currency) and recurring Subscription Packs, with safety integrated throughout via 100% age verification, real-time video moderation, and AI-powered content filtering tools.
Product overview
Yubo is a social discovery platform built as a single unified mobile app (available on iOS and Android) that enables young adults to connect through real-time livestreams (Lives), profile swiping, direct messaging, and group chats. The core product is free to use with optional premium features including YuBucks virtual currency and Subscription Packs for enhanced visibility and interaction tools. Safety is integrated throughout via 100% age verification (via Yoti), real-time video moderation, SafeBlur AI content filtering, SAFE Mode, Muted Words, and Verified Profiles. The platform operates across 140+ countries with a global community focused on authentic connection rather than followers or algorithmic manipulation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Yubo Core App The flagship free-to-download mobile social discovery app for iOS and Android enabling young adults aged 18+ to connect through livestreams, swipes, group chats, and direct messaging without follower counts or algorithmic feeds.
- YuBucks (Virtual Currency) In-app virtual coins purchased by users to unlock or activate premium features such as increased visibility tools, enhanced interaction features, and profile boost tools. Personal, non-transferable, non-refundable, and have no monetary value outside the app.
- Subscription Packs Auto-renewing subscription packages offering access to specific digital items and premium features. Prices vary by country, promotional offers, and pack size. Billing processed via Apple App Store, Google Play, or Stripe for U.S. iOS direct checkout.
- SafeBlur AI-powered safety tool that automatically scans and blurs inappropriate or offensive content in direct messages. Supports multiple languages and operates across 140+ active countries. Includes user reporting prompts and opt-out capability.
Quantifiable outcome
- 79% of surveyed users feel safer on Yubo compared to other platforms because of age verification
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Yubo
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Yubo technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration11 records
AI capability10 records
Feature6 records
Yubo partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- YoticoreYoti provides facial age estimation technology to Yubo under a partnership that enables Yubo to verify the age of 100% of its users. Yoti's technology analyzes facial features from a live in-app selfie and estimates age without retaining the image or facial geometry data — only the age result is shared with Yubo. This partnership has enabled over 290 million age checks and made Yubo the first major social platform globally to implement comprehensive platformwide age verification since September 2022.
- National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)coreNCMEC is a key safety partner for Yubo in combating child sexual exploitation online. Yubo works with NCMEC to report suspected cases of exploitation, shares relevant information, and collaborates on awareness and prevention efforts. NCMEC's VP John Shehan serves on Yubo's independent Safety Board.
- The Diana AwardminorYubo collaborates with The Diana Award on anti-bullying initiatives and youth empowerment programs. The Diana Award's Deputy CEO Alex Holmes serves on Yubo's independent Safety Board.
- Technology CoalitioncoreYubo is a board member of the Technology Coalition, working alongside other major platforms to address serious online harms — including child sexual exploitation — at an industry level.
- Internet Watch Foundation (IWF)coreYubo is a member of the IWF, collaborating with other platforms and organizations to combat online child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and strengthen reporting pathways globally.
- Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT)minorYubo is a member of GIFCT, contributing to cross-platform efforts to counter terrorism and violent extremist content online.
- ThornminorThorn is a technology company dedicated to combating child sexual exploitation. Thorn's Product Director Travis Bright serves on Yubo's independent Safety Board. Yubo collaborates with Thorn to strengthen reporting pathways and improve response to harmful content.
- NSPCC (UK)minorYubo collaborates with the NSPCC (UK) to strengthen child safety reporting pathways and support resources for users in the United Kingdom.
- Cyberbullying Research CenterminorYubo partners with the Cyberbullying Research Center on awareness campaigns and educational resources addressing online bullying among young people.
- The Trevor ProjectminorYubo partners with The Trevor Project, a nonprofit focused on crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ youth, on awareness campaigns and support resources.
- SwitchboardminorYubo partners with Switchboard, an LGBTQ+ support organization, on resources and awareness initiatives for the platform's community.
- e-EnfanceminorYubo partners with e-Enfance, a French organization focused on children's online safety, to support awareness and educational resources.
- Good ThinkingminorYubo collaborates with Good Thinking, a UK mental health platform. Good Thinking's Clinical Director Dr. Richard Graham serves on Yubo's independent Safety Board.
- INHOPEminorYubo collaborates with INHOPE, an international network of hotlines for reporting illegal content online involving children, to strengthen cross-border reporting and response.
- Point de ContactminorYubo collaborates with Point de Contact, France's reporting platform for illegal content online involving minors.
- Kids Helpline (Australia)minorYubo works with Australia's Kids Helpline to strengthen support resources and reporting pathways for young users in Australia.
- StripecoreStripe powers Yubo's in-app checkout for certain purchases made by U.S. iOS users, acting as the Merchant of Record. Stripe handles payment processing and refund management for these transactions under its Link product.
- Middle Tech Europe (MTE)minorMiddle Tech Europe is a coalition of mid-sized European tech platforms co-founded by Yubo CEO Sacha Lazimi. Members include Reddit, Discord, Pinterest, Automattic, Patreon, and Dailymotion. The coalition advocates for proportionate regulation in the EU, positioning Yubo as a thought leader in tech policy.
- OutGeekWomenminorYubo hosted a Women in Tech event in collaboration with OutGeekWomen, demonstrating its commitment to diversity and inclusion in the tech workforce.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves7 records
Yubo competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Reddit: Large community-led social platform with mature moderation stack; coalition partner in Middle Tech Europe and benchmark for adult-skewing social UX.
- Instagram: Meta-owned photo/video social network that competes for the same young-adult social-discovery use case as Yubo and has rolled out similar safety features.
Direct peers
- Discord: Voice- and text-based social platform with a large Gen Z user base, multi-modal group rooms, and safety investments comparable to Yubo's 'Lives' and chat experiences.
- Snap (Snapchat): Mobile-first ephemeral social platform that shares Yubo's Gen Z audience, AR lens integration, and ongoing investment in youth safety tooling.
- TikTok: Dominant short-form video and live social platform that competes directly for young-adult attention globally and has invested heavily in age-assurance and moderation.
- BeReal: Authentic, low-pressure social app with no follower counts; shares Yubo's 'friends not followers' positioning and similar Gen Z demographic skew.
- VSCO: Creative social platform with a teen/young-adult user base; comparable creator-tool orientation and ongoing investment in safe community standards.
Others
- Yoti: Provider of the facial age-estimation technology Yubo has integrated for 100% user verification; comparable as a partner in the trust-and-safety value chain.
Emerging players
- Lemon8: ByteDance lifestyle social platform targeting Gen Z that competes for attention in lifestyle discovery; relevant emerging peer in the same category.
- Locket Widget: Intimate, friends-only social widget with a Gen Z user base; comparable 'friends not followers' positioning and small-headcount product-led operating model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Yubo social profiles
Digital presenceYubo compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Yubo financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Yubo leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Yubo funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors8 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Yubo M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Yubo
What does Yubo do?
Yubo is a mobile-first social discovery platform that enables young adults (Gen Z, 18+) to make authentic connections through real-time group livestreams (Lives), profile swiping, direct messaging, and interest-based tags. The free core app monetizes through optional in-app purchases of YuBucks (virtual currency) and recurring Subscription Packs, with safety integrated throughout via 100% age verification, real-time video moderation, and AI-powered content filtering tools.
Is Yubo a public or private company?
Yubo is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Yubo founded?
Yubo was founded in 2015. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Yubo based?
Yubo is headquartered in Paris, France, in the Europe region.
How does Yubo make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. In-App Virtual Items (YuBucks) is the primary driver. The others are subscription Packs.
Who are Yubo's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Reddit and Instagram. Direct peers are Discord, Snap (Snapchat), TikTok, BeReal and VSCO. Yoti is listed as an others. Emerging players are Lemon8 and Locket Widget.
Does Yubo have an API?
No public API is recorded for Yubo.
What industry is Yubo in?
Yubo's product category is Social Discovery Platform. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAMAJAH, User-Generated Content (UGC) & Short-Form Video Platforms. Its NAICS code is 516210 and its SIC code is 7372.