Group messaging app IRL raises $170 million and is currently valued at $1.17 billion

Launched in June 2019, IRL said it has over 12 million monthly active users.

By:REUTERS
| Updated on: Aug 21 2022, 18:01 IST
The San Francisco-based startup’s messaging platform works like WhatsApp to create private group chats but also allows for public groups to form,
The San Francisco-based startup’s messaging platform works like WhatsApp to create private group chats but also allows for public groups to form, (IRL/The Verge )

Group messaging app IRL, short for in real life, on Tuesday said it raised $170 million in a funding round led by SoftBank Group Corp's Vision Fund 2 that valued the company at $1.17 billion. The San Francisco-based startup's messaging platform works like WhatsApp to create private group chats but also allows for public groups to form, said IRL CEO Abraham Shafi. 

Launched in June 2019, IRL said it has over 12 million monthly active users.The funding will be used to expand the business internationally and put in place a trust and safety team to monitor public groups. Until that team is in place, Shafi said IRL will only make verified groups publicly discoverable.

You may be interested in

MobilesTablets Laptops
7% OFF
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
  • Black Titanium
  • 8 GB RAM
  • 256 GB Storage
28% OFF
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G
  • Green
  • 12 GB RAM
  • 256 GB Storage
Google Pixel 8 Pro
  • Obsidian
  • 12 GB RAM
  • 128 GB Storage
Apple iPhone 15 Plus
  • Black
  • 6 GB RAM
  • 128 GB Storage
Also read
Looking for a smartphone? To check mobile finder click here.

While there are many messaging apps, Shafi said apart from Chinese messaging app WeChat, owned by Tencent Holdings Ltd, none offered public group chat along with private messaging. 

“So the big play is, we really have the opportunity to be the WeChat for the rest of the world,” he said.

IRL could allow ads to promote events or people but this would not be a core revenue stream, he said.

Catch all the Latest Tech News, Mobile News, Laptop News, Gaming news, Wearables News , How To News, also keep up with us on Whatsapp channel,Twitter, Facebook, Google News, and Instagram. For our latest videos, subscribe to our YouTube channel.

First Published Date: 21 Aug, 18:01 IST
NEXT ARTICLE BEGINS