This 'anti-bot' startup wants to pay you to interact with brands. Read the pitch deck it used to raise $18.5 million.

EarnOS, a pioneering startup focused on ensuring genuine human engagement with brands, has successfully secured $18.5 million in funding. The New York-based company recently launched its app, Ero, which allows users to confirm their human identity and earn rewards for interacting with brand content. Through the Ero app, users can scroll through a personalized feed and take part in various challenges, including physical activities tracked via their fitness apps. By engaging with brand content and sharing their data, users contribute to a more authentic advertising experience. According to Phil George, CEO and founder of EarnOS, brands only compensate users when real human interaction occurs, thus combating the growing issue of bot traffic. George highlighted the changing landscape of online advertising, noting that the rise of AI has skewed the perception of user engagement. Recently, Cloudflare reported that bot traffic has surpassed human activity for the first time. This shift has prompted EarnOS to position itself as an "anti-bot" company, striving to create a more "verified internet." The company aims to provide an alternative to conventional digital advertising platforms like Google and Facebook, which often struggle with bot activity in their metrics. Describing EarnOS as a loyalty program centered around the individual rather than specific brands, George explained that the company takes a percentage of the advertising spend from brands on the app. Up to 75% of that revenue is then distributed to users who complete tasks, with rewards issued in USD stablecoin cryptocurrency, usable via an EarnOS Visa card. The app has officially launched in the UK, US, Canada, and Australia, supported by a $30 million annual rewards pool funded by brands across various sectors including ride-hailing, retail, streaming, and finance. During its beta test from March to the end of 2025, EarnOS partnered with 152 brands, garnered 3 million signups, and distributed $50,000 in rewards, working with notable companies such as Nike. John Shiel, senior content and engagement manager at Nike Innovation Labs, praised EarnOS for making brand interactions more engaging and transparent, distancing from ineffective AI-driven methods. The funding round was led by investment firm 1kx, with contributions from Coinbase Ventures, Circle Ventures, and Social Graph Ventures. The remaining $12.5 million will be provided by Verona over four years. As bot activity continues to rise, George expressed intentions to utilize the new funding to expand into additional markets later this year, cautioning that the internet's current state may worsen before improvement occurs. An exclusive look at the 24-page pitch deck used during the fundraising reveals insights into EarnOS's vision, though some sensitive information has been withheld.