Eight, the Portuguese dating application, is securing a €3M seed funding round.
The app launches every night between 8 and 9pm, allowing verified users to connect through 30-second video introductions and immediate live calls. It is currently operational in Portugal and the UK. CEO Afonso Simão, who previously created Miofar, a fitness brand that generated over $1.2 million in revenue, leads the company.
Eight, a Portuguese video-centric dating app, is in the process of raising a €3 million seed round, having secured €256,600 thus far. The app operates on a straightforward principle: it does not feature photo profiles, lengthy text exchanges, or passive swiping.
Each night from 8 to 9pm, human-verified users log in to view 30-second video introductions from other participants and can engage in 8-minute live video calls with anyone they match with. Chat functionality is only activated once both participants agree to a call, which intentionally contrasts with the text-first approach prevalent in the dating app sector.
Currently available in Portugal and the UK, the founders aim to use the seed funding to expand into Eastern Europe and the United States. CEO Afonso Simão is a serial entrepreneur who previously launched Miofar, which achieved over $1.2 million in revenue and completed 60,000 orders prior to his exit. Co-founder Moreira da Cruz contributes sales and growth expertise, holding an MBA in digital marketing and experience as a leading enterprise account executive at a SaaS firm.
Eight adopts an explicitly anti-engagement stance: the founders expressed their desire for users to transition away from the app and engage in real conversations as swiftly as possible, guiding every product decision. This approach results in the absence of infinite scrolling, dopamine-loop notifications, and streak mechanics. The app is available for just one hour each night, ensuring that the entire active user base is online simultaneously, creating a sense of scarcity and shared context, as opposed to the asynchronous experience typical of traditional dating apps.
Human verification is a key aspect of the app, aimed at combatting two significant issues identified by the founders in the existing market: fake profiles and ghosting. The global dating app market, valued at $6.18 billion in 2024, serves an estimated 364 million users worldwide. Eight is entering a sector that has received considerable venture interest, yet is also witnessing increasing user dissatisfaction with the prevalent swipe-and-text format. While several apps have experimented with video features, Eight's design ensures that video interaction is the sole mode of communication right from the initial contact.
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Eight, the Portuguese dating application, is securing a €3M seed funding round.
O aplicativo de namoro português Eight substitui perfis em foto por introduções em vídeo de 30 segundos e chamadas ao vivo de 8 minutos. Está levantando uma rodada inicial de €3M.