Eight, the Portuguese Dating App, Raises €3M Seed Round
April 10, 2026 – 7:35 am
The app goes live each night between 8 and 9pm, connecting verified users through 30-second video intros and instant live calls. It is currently available in Portugal and the UK. CEO Afonso Simão previously founded Miofar, a fitness brand he grew to over $1.2M in revenue.
Eight
A Portuguese video-first dating app, is raising a €3 million seed round and has so far closed €256,600 of that target. The app operates on a simple premise: no photo profiles, no weeks of text exchange, and no passive swiping.
Every night between 8 and 9pm, human-verified users log in, browse 30-second video introductions from other members, and unlock 8-minute live video calls with anyone they match with. Chat is only enabled after both sides say yes to a call, a deliberate inversion of the text-first model that dominates the dating app market.
Features and Philosophy
- No Photo Profiles: Eight avoids photo profiles for a more engaging experience.
- Live Video Calls: All interactions are video-based from the first moment of contact.
- Human Verification: A core feature to combat fake profiles and ghosting.
- Strict One-Hour Window: The app operates on a strict one-hour-per-night window, creating scarcity and shared context.
Market Opportunity
The global dating app market was valued at $6.18 billion in 2024 and serves an estimated 364 million users worldwide. Eight enters a market that has seen significant venture attention but is also facing user fatigue with the dominant swipe-and-text model.
Founders’ Background
- Afonso Simão: CEO and serial entrepreneur who previously founded Miofar, a fitness brand grown to over $1.2 million in revenue.
- Moreira da Cruz: Co-founder with sales and growth experience, including an MBA in digital marketing.
The founders aim to encourage users to get off the app and into real conversations quickly, shaping every product decision accordingly. This means no infinite scroll, dopamine-loop notification design, or streak mechanics.
Story by
Ana-Maria Stanciuc
Editor-in-Chief, TNW