By Riley Kaminer
We’re currently experiencing a loneliness epidemic in the US. Harvard research reveals that 36% of all Americans — including 61% of young adults and 51% of mothers with young children — feel “serious loneliness.”
When people become lonely, they often turn to social media. Paradoxically though, social media can make people actually feel lonelier because of the social comparison inherent to these platforms.
One South Florida startup is creating a digital antidote to this loneliness. Meet Venzi, founded by Fort Lauderdale-based Nicholas Hosein [pictured above]. Four months ago, the startup launched an app that makes it easier for people to meet new friends in their area. While the interactions start online, the connections happen at in-person parties.
The user experience is straightforward. After downloading the app and signing up for an account, users are presented with a sortable list of parties in their area. Events run the gamut from relaxed board games nights to DJ dance parties, typically with around 15 attendees. When a user finds a party that piques their interest, they are then able to request to be let in.
Hosein, who started working on this startup after completing a PhD in electrical engineering at UC Davis and moving to South Florida to escape pandemic lockdown, underscored the important role social dynamics plays in Venzi. He explained how the app tracks four different metrics: ‘awesomeness,’ punctuality, generosity, and engagement. These scores help hosts decide whether to accept a user to join their party.
“I’ve always been intrigued by human psychology, as well as the more technical side,” Hosein told Refresh Miami. “I’ve tried to merge that with Venzi to make something that’s automated, but also can bring people together in a community.”
The parties are free to attend. But afterwards, users are asked to provide a tip based on how much fun they had. “Tipping is competitive,” asserted Hosein. “Your tip score will go up if you tip more than most people and go down if you tip less.” The average tip is $15. Venzi takes 35% of all tips.
The target audience for Venzi are young professionals. Hosein said that the startup is aiming for every party to have an even split of men and women, but the platform is slightly more weighted towards women at the moment.
Last month, Venzi reported that its MVP provided them $1,000 in revenue. The startup, which has been bootstrapped thus far, is looking to raise a $250,000 seed round to accelerate its growth. Hosein points to some positive early success stories, including that two people have found their partners through Venzi (although dating is not the core focus of the platform).
Looking forward, Hosein hopes to expand into higher end parties, hosted on yachts with open bars. He also expressed excitement about having Venzi parties around South Florida, from West Palm Beach to Miami.
“We want it to eventually be such that everybody can walk or take a five minute uber to a Venzi party.”
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