Xavier Niel is betting on IBOU, the French search engine that wants to challenge Google

If you haven't yet heard of IBOU, now's the time to take a closer look at this project. This French conversational search engine, backed by the company Babbar, aims to redefine how we consume information online. Facing Google, which captures 90% of global search queries, the stakes are enormous. But serious investors believe in the project, as Go Capital, Bpifrance, and Normandie Participations have already invested. And now, Xavier Niel is joining the adventure.

A French ambition in a market locked down by American giants

Behind IBOU, we find Sylvain Peyronnet. Former Chief Science Officer of Qwant, he developed his first search engine algorithm back in 2005. The idea of building something sovereign and independent has been with him for years. It was the rise of artificial intelligence, nearly three years ago, that finally accelerated the realization of the project.

Alongside him, Guillaume Pitel, a PhD in computer science, completes a duo with an already impressive profile. Building a search engine isn't just about developing the technical side. Establishing legitimacy is crucial, as user trust is earned over time. However, be mindful of updates. Even established giants can make mistakes, like Google, which is testing an AI that rewrites article headlines.

The IBOU Explorer homepage

Xavier Niel was convinced by the team's vision

The man who shook up French telecoms with Freebox and then Free Mobile was won over by Sylvain Peyronnet and his team. According to him, "these are people who know what they're talking about, who have already built something solid, and who have a clear vision of how to create a sovereign search engine."

The amount of the fundraising was not disclosed, but Xavier Niel's endorsement is significant in the French tech ecosystem.

What does IBOU offer today?

Currently available in Beta version, IBOU Explorer already covers numerous topics (politics, economics, international affairs, society, science and technology, culture and leisure, sports). The platform also focuses on personalization, a mechanism comparable to Google Discover, which allows users to follow topics, save articles, and tailor their news feed to their interests. The ambition goes far beyond a content aggregator. IBOU is expected to evolve into a comprehensive search engine by integrating other news sources, images, and, of course, web search. The project is still under development, but its trajectory is attracting investors.