Irish technology company Chirp has opened a new funding round to accelerate the international rollout of its embedded child protection software. The company, which raised €4.4 million in seed funding in 2023, is now seeking both strategic investors and crowdfunding participants as it enters its next growth phase.

Chirp is moving toward full commercial deployment with major global telecommunications operators. The timing coincides with Anti-Bullying Week and comes as governments worldwide increase pressure on tech companies to address online harm to children.

AI-Powered Protection Built Into Devices

Chirp has developed what it claims is the world’s first software that detects and blocks cyberbullying, grooming, and self-harm content at the smartphone manufacture level. The technology embeds AI-driven protection directly into devices, allowing it to block harmful content in real time across encrypted apps including WhatsApp, Snapchat, and Instagram.

Unlike traditional parental control apps that rely on surface-level monitoring or keyword detection, Chirp operates without lag or privacy intrusion. This approach positions the company differently from existing solutions in a market where child safety concerns continue to grow.

The scale of the problem is significant. According to Ofcom, nine out of 10 children in the UK own a mobile phone by age 11, with around 24% of children aged 5-7 already owning smartphones. Research shows that over 70% of children aged 5-15 have encountered hateful content online, while more than a quarter of children aged 8-17 have experienced harmful interactions through communication technology.

Capital to Fuel Global Expansion

The new funding will support Chirp’s rollout with major telecom and manufacturing partners. The company plans to scale its research and development efforts, advance certification processes, and develop additional safety features including Dark Web blocking for children’s devices.

Chirp is taking a dual approach to fundraising. While seeking institutional capital, the company has also opened a portion of the raise to retail investors through a crowdfunding campaign, allowing parents and the general public to participate directly in the venture.

From Academic Partnership to Commercial Deployment

Chirp was founded by CEO Rena Maycock and has partnered with the UNESCO Chair for the Prevention of Bullying at Dublin City University and ADAPT/Science Foundation Ireland to develop its market-ready product. The company aims to establish itself as the global standard for machine-level child protection on connected devices.

“Our vision is simple — every phone should protect its most vulnerable user. Parents have been told to manage screen time, but that doesn’t stop the problem. The only real solution is embedding protection directly into the device.”

Rena Maycock, CEO of Chirp

Following its presentation at the UN’s ITU “AI for Good” Summit in Geneva, Chirp has secured commitments for over 500,000 Chirp-enabled smartphones through partnerships with European and Asian telecommunications operators. The company has also received letters of intent covering markets in Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and the United States.

Strategic Backing and Market Positioning

Chirp’s advisory board includes Ronan Dunne, Chairman of Six Nations Rugby and former CEO of Verizon and O2. The company’s investors include Evan Sharp, co-founder of Pinterest, among other technology sector backers.

“This is technology built by parents, for parents. It’s not just a commercial opportunity — it’s a social infrastructure play. We’re creating a safer digital world for the next generation.”

Rena Maycock, CEO of Chirp

With new UK child safety regulations coming into force and regulatory pressure mounting across multiple jurisdictions, Chirp’s embedded approach offers both compliance and consumer reassurance. The company positions itself at the intersection of commercial opportunity and social infrastructure in the safety technology sector.

The funding round remains open to both institutional and retail investors as Chirp prepares for its next phase of global expansion with telecommunications partners.

Origianl Creator: Ekaterina Pisareva
Original Link: https://justainews.com/ai-compliance/ai-ethics-and-society/chirp-opens-funding-round-following-e4-4m-seed-raise/
Originally Posted: Mon, 10 Nov 2025 14:57:16 +0000