Refute Secures £5M in Seed Funding to Combat Disinformation Threats

British AI firm Refute secures £5 million to combat sophisticated disinformation threats

London-based Refute has secured £5 million in seed funding to advance its AI-powered counter-disinformation technology at a time when coordinated misinformation campaigns are increasingly targeting both public and private sectors.

The funding round was led by Amadeus Capital Partners, with additional backing from Playfair, Episode 1, Osney Capital, and the National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSSIF), reflecting the strategic importance of Refute’s mission in the national security landscape.

This investment comes as the threat landscape has shifted dramatically, with malicious actors deploying increasingly sophisticated tactics that combine automated networks, strategic influencer activity, and AI-enhanced tools to execute coordinated disinformation campaigns. Security analysts note that these operations have expanded beyond their traditional focus on governments and public institutions to now regularly target commercial organizations across various sectors.

Since emerging from stealth mode and closing its pre-seed round earlier this year, Refute has developed advanced AI capabilities that are now deployed by both government agencies and corporate clients. The company’s platform specializes in detecting early warning signs of online manipulation, providing near real-time intelligence and actionable response recommendations to counter emerging threats.

Recent monitoring by Refute has revealed alarming trends across multiple sectors. During European elections, including those in Romania, the company identified over 32,500 inauthentic TikTok videos linked to coordinated influence operations specifically targeting expatriate communities. This represents a significant evolution in how foreign actors attempt to manipulate electoral outcomes through social media.

In the mining sector, which faces particular vulnerability due to environmental and social controversies, Refute’s analysis suggests approximately 40 percent of tracked industry sites have been subjected to activities associated with misleading or inauthentic actors. These campaigns often aim to manipulate public discourse, undermine institutional credibility, and potentially destabilize markets or regulatory environments.

Tom Garnett, CEO and co-founder of Refute, described the current situation as unprecedented: “Europe is facing an unparalleled level of hybrid warfare. Disinformation is no longer just a peripheral nuisance, but now a reputational threat and strategic weapon targeting nations, institutions and corporations alike.”

He added, “Refute was created to meet this moment. We help governments and commercial organisations strengthen their resilience, protect their operations, and outpace their adversaries to function in an increasingly hostile information environment.”

The rise of AI-generated content has dramatically lowered the barriers to entry for creating convincing fake news, images, and videos. This technological evolution has coincided with increasing geopolitical tensions, creating a perfect storm for disinformation campaigns targeting Western democracies and businesses.

Industry experts point out that companies in sectors like energy, mining, finance, and critical infrastructure face particular risks from targeted disinformation campaigns that can impact stock prices, regulatory outcomes, and public trust. The economic impact of such campaigns can be substantial, with some estimates suggesting major disinformation attacks can cost large corporations millions in market value and crisis response expenses.

Refute plans to use the new funding to further develop its proprietary technology stack, expand its team of threat intelligence analysts, and enhance its capabilities to detect increasingly sophisticated AI-generated content. The investment will also support the company’s efforts to help organizations and democratic institutions address the growing challenges posed by hybrid warfare and evolving disinformation threats.

As digital platforms continue to dominate information sharing and public discourse, Refute’s technology represents part of a growing industry focused on maintaining information integrity and protecting institutional trust in an increasingly complex threat environment.