Jeff Perkins: Building Pr3ss3D to Redefine Social Media with Purpose

Hi Jeff, what inspired you to start Pr3ss3D?

It all started about a year ago. At first, it felt like just another idea—one of those "what if" thoughts you assume will fade away. But this one didn’t. It kept showing up. I’d see stories online, have conversations with friends or strangers, and the same problems around social media would come up again and again: how damaging it is, how necessary it still feels, and how no one seems to have a better option.

Eventually, I couldn’t ignore it anymore. I started talking to people about the idea—about Pr3ss3D—and their enthusiasm was always real and immediate. It was clear I had tapped into something people were deeply craving, even if the path to making it real wouldn’t be simple. The concept stuck because it wasn’t just a cool product idea—it felt necessary.

You’ve mentioned the 2024 presidential debates played a role. Can you expand on that?

Absolutely. That night, I was watching the first round of presidential debates, and somewhere in the middle of it, I just mentally checked out. My mind started racing. I wasn’t just thinking about one issue—I was seeing a web of overlapping needs: how people interact with media, with each other, with brands, with news, with platforms. There’s this strange push-and-pull between the public, journalism, tech companies, and advertisers.

That night, it all clicked. I could see the problems clearly—and more importantly, I could start to see the shape of the solution. Over the next three months, I refined the idea into something that felt not just visionary but actionable. That’s when Pr3ss3D started to take real form.

What sets Pr3ss3D apart from the rest of the social media industry?

We’re doing something that sounds simple but is actually a huge shift—we’re building a true subscription-based social media network. Not a content platform like Substack or Patreon. Not a one-way feed. This is a social space where the user is the customer, not the product.

You could say it’s like “if TikTok and Facebook had a kid that was cooler than both.” We’re building around actual user needs, not engagement hacks or ad dollars. That means fewer algorithms manipulating your feed, fewer bots, less manipulation—and more value for the people who actually matter.

How do you see the future of Pr3ss3D unfolding?

In my mind, Pr3ss3D has the potential to become a global brand—a household name. I truly believe that the subscription-based social media model is the future. Others will follow us into this space, and that’s okay. It’s a sign that the model is necessary.

The real question is: how will the market evolve around it? Will we retain a core share? Will we become a niche or complementary platform? Will competitors come up with better solutions to the problems we’re solving now? Whatever the outcome, I’m genuinely excited to watch this new space grow—and proud that we were first to take the leap.

What’s a surprising challenge you’ve faced so far?

Honestly, it wasn’t a mistake so much as an unexpected barrier. When I first tried to get approved by third-party merchant services to process payments, I couldn’t. Pr3ss3D didn’t fit neatly into any existing category. It was new, different—and that created friction.

Eventually, I solved it. It took resilience, persistence, and a bit of creativity, but I found a workaround. The takeaway for me was clear: always focus on what you can do, not what you can’t.

What trends are shaping your market right now?

The most obvious trend is the rise of AI—and unfortunately, bots. While AI can be used for good, in the social media world, it’s increasingly being misused by bad actors. That’s going to create a lot of chaos.

But it also creates opportunity for Pr3ss3D. People are already feeling overwhelmed, manipulated, and burned out by traditional platforms. We’re offering a human-first alternative that people can trust. I think that’s going to matter more and more.

Your vision blends profit and purpose. Can you talk more about that?

I believe that making money and doing social good should be the same thing. Not separate. Not competing forces. If you build something that helps people and creates genuine value, the business model should support and amplify that.

Pr3ss3D isn’t just about eliminating the harms of social media. It’s about unlocking what’s good about digital connection—while sharing that opportunity with the people who use it. Rewarded and rewarding.

Are you currently raising investment? If so, how much and for what goals?

Yes, I’m raising pre-seed investment — around $1.2 to $1.5 million. That would cover building the MVP with the infrastructure and team needed to make it safe and functional. To bring the full version to market, I estimate we’d need $8.7 million, which includes a complete technical setup, operations, and contingency.

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