London-based startup Refute combats disinformation targeting companies, raising £2.3 million in pre-seed funding. Disinformation attacks, fueled by geopolitical instability and AI, pose significant reputational and financial risks to businesses.
Refute's Approach
Unlike passive monitoring tools, Refute actively detects and responds to disinformation campaigns by identifying "threat actor" behaviors. This two-pronged approach differentiates Refute from competitors like Bluesky, OpenAI, and ChatGPT, which primarily focus on detection.
Co-founder Tom Garnett's background in national security informs Refute's strategy, applying similar technology used to combat criminal activity to the commercial sector. Co-founder Vlad Galu's experience with disinformation in 1990s Romania further strengthens the company's mission.
Investment and Future
The pre-seed round, led by Playfair and Episode 1, highlights the growing concern surrounding disinformation. This funding will enable Refute to further develop its platform and expand its reach in protecting businesses from online threats.