[akassover]

Interesting idea. My wife and I joined something similar but specifically for new parents in Seattle called "PEPS" (http://www.peps.org) when we had kids. We got together once a week for twelve weeks. We had a facilitator who loosely guided us in a discussion theme. Of course we all had one big thing in common (kids born within about 3 months of each other), but it was still surprising how well we got along. I've heard similar comments from people in other groups.

So, a few questions...

1. Where are you right now in bringing this to life?

2. What are you finding difficult about getting this launched, and what are you doing to address those challenges?

3. Describe the person who really fits your target audience - what defines them as a group?

[baron816]

I've soft launched it. You can sign up now. Still in the early days, so not a huge user base yet. But it's fully capable of doing what's promised.

I really think anyone who doesn't have a really great network or feels like their part of a community would benefit greatly from using it. It's not just about meeting a few people, or make a couple friends, it's about building a really powerful community.

However, the people I think would benefit most are the ones who have recently moved to a new city or even a new neighborhood in the same city and don't know many people nearby. Kids coming out of college would be an easy target, but middle and old age people also tend to be the most socially isolated.

[harmegido]

As someone who is in the scenario you describe (new city - don't know many people), I really love this idea. I would definitely use it if it were a big thing, but it will be a less than ideal experience in the early stages (not many prospective friends/groups).

I think one of your biggest challenges would be getting enough users to start. Also, it seems like you'd run into problems that face online dating, where if the service is successful, your users will no longer need you. Have you thought at all about how to deal with that problem?

[baron816]

It's true that there aren't many filled out groups yet. If it were an online dating type thing where you have to choose people from a list, then it would be a problem. But placing people into groups is handled automatically, choice is removed from the equation. That's definitely a feature, not a bug. No one in history has ever chosen who their friends from a big list. User's sign up and then forget about it. When they get a notification that people join their group, then they can become active on the platform. I can grow slowly and organically to get to the point where groups fill out and they start hanging out together. Once they do and they really start loving it, I hope it'll pick up a lot.

I think there is already a lot there for people to want to keep using it. First, expanding the group is kind of a slow process (so you're given enough time to become close to people). So if you want to have that expansive network, then you'll keep using it. A lot of the time on dating apps, you're looking for one person and then you're done. But you're allowed (expected) to have multiple friends. So it doesn't end with your first group. Second, I think the group messaging system is pretty solid. You're "born" into, so you don't have to go to Facebook messenger and set up a group there. Third, the activity creator is also really solid. It get's rid of all the back and forth involved in getting people to hang out, so it helps alleviate that pain point too.

I have a lot of other ideas for features to add in the future that will keep people engaged, but I won't get into them here.