Women are logging off. A recent study found that nearly half of women have abandoned at least one social media platform in the past year. Safety, privacy, and the exhausting flood of negativity have driven many to hit the delete button. But where do they go next?
Enter UP, a new social platform created by Uplevyl, a female-led tech company. The platform promises an online space built specifically for women—where their voices are valued, their data is protected, and community standards are actually enforced.
Meet the Women Behind UP
Uplevyl founder Shubhi Rao isn’t just another tech entrepreneur. She’s a former Google executive who made history as the first woman and person of color to serve as Officer of Alphabet. With experience leading finance and engineering teams at Google, Ford, and Tesco, she saw firsthand how technology could do better for women. So, she built UP.
She’s joined by Jacki Zehner, a powerhouse in finance. In 1996, she became Goldman Sachs’ youngest female partner and first female trader to reach that level. She later co-founded Women Moving Millions, an organization that has mobilized over $1 billion to support women and girls. Now, she’s bringing that same energy to UP as Chief Engagement Officer.
What Makes UP Different?
Social media can feel like the Wild West—misinformation, harassment, and privacy concerns run rampant. UP aims to be the opposite. Here’s what sets it apart:
- No Ads, No Distractions – The platform is subscription-based, meaning no creepy ad tracking or invasive data mining.
- Real Community Standards – Hate speech, harassment, and misinformation? Not here. Strict moderation policies make sure of that.
- Stronger Privacy Protections – Transparent data collection and built-in security measures mean women don’t have to worry about their information being sold or misused.
- Expert-Led Content – Women can access insights from professionals in career development, finance, and personal growth.
Zehner puts it bluntly: “Social media, especially micro-blogging platforms, are not working for women. We are turning the model right-side UP.”
More Than Just a Social App
UP isn’t just a social space. It’s part of a larger effort by Uplevyl to support women in their careers and personal lives. The company also offers enterprise solutions to help organizations hire and retain female talent, as well as an Accelerator Program focused on AI and digital skills training.
Rao sees UP as the platform women have been waiting for. “With UP, we’re not just building another social network. We’re creating a space where women’s voices are prioritized, protected, and amplified.”
Zehner adds: “UP is a technology whose time has come. It is founded by women, for women.”
A New Era for Social Media?
As more women leave traditional platforms, UP could be a sign of where things are headed. Instead of spaces where they feel silenced or unsafe, women are looking for online communities that actually work for them. UP is stepping up to meet that demand.