PENEMUE, a Freiburg-based startup developing AI solutions to detect and combat online hate speech, digital violence, and disinformation, has secured over €1.7 million in funding.
The round includes TION Health, Beyond Tomorrow, 4seedimpact, zigzag, Berlin Angel Fund, CGS Consulting and Beteiligungs GmbH, RLM Beteiligungs GmbH, ILG Group, as well as notable business angels, including prominent investors from encourageventures e.V., Black Forest Business Angels, and Business Angels Mitteldeutschland (BAM!) e.V.
“The number of people affected by digital violence is steadily increasing – and it is not only those directly targeted who are impacted, but also everyone who reads along: fans, communities and younger generations,” said Sara Egetemeyer, COO and co-founder, PENEMUE.
Founded in 2023 by Jonas Navid Mehrabanian Al-Nemri, Marlon Lückert, and Egetemeye, PENEMUE is on a mission to make digital communication safer by protecting individuals and organisations from harmful online behaviour.
According to the company, it uses AI to automatically monitor users’ social media comments and direct messages, promptly alerting them to potentially harmful content. It provides one-click options to hide or delete problematic material, or to set up custom automations for protection. It also enables users to take legal action through its app.
Its technology is already employed by clients in sports, politics, media, and business, and the company also collaborates closely with public authorities and official reporting bodies.
“We are building it (PENEMUE) because people, companies and institutions are attacked, intimidated and systematically silenced every day in the digital space. Because hatred and disinformation destroy trust and stability. And because digital communication is anything but secure right now,” commented Jonas Navid Mehrabanian Al-Nemri.
The company claims to have helped protect over 1 billion digital interactions to date. With the fresh funding, the company plans to further develop its platform, expand its capabilities, and scale its impact internationally.
“We can now do even better what we set out to do: Making digital communication more secure worldwide. But the last few months were only the beginning. What comes now will be bigger. Much bigger,” added Al-Nemri.
Read the orginal article: https://www.eu-startups.com/2026/04/penemue-raises-e1-7-million-to-combat-online-hate-digital-violence-and-disinformation-with-ai/
