On a typical Friday evening, Alyx van der Vorm found herself pondering the difficulty of making plans with friends, ultimately considering a solo trip to the gym instead. At just 25, she embodies Generation Z, a group that, despite being highly connected, often feels isolated. With a background in computational neuroscience from Harvard and experience in studying the effects of social connections on health, van der Vorm understands the serious implications of loneliness.
In 2020, she launched Clyx, a social platform designed to help users discover community events and connect with others. Five years later, Clyx has attracted 50,000 active users purchasing tickets for events, while over 200,000 browse the platform. The app recently raised $14 million in a Series A funding round led by Blitzscaling Ventures, with contributions from notable investors including Venmo co-founder Iqram Magdon-Ismail and former F1 driver Nico Rosberg.
How Clyx Works
Clyx simplifies the process of finding social activities by aggregating event data from various sources like Ticketmaster and TikTok, presenting users with local events to join. The platform also suggests venues and allows users to see which events their friends are attending by uploading their contacts.
Additionally, Clyx features a compatibility engine that helps users connect with people who share similar interests at events. This way, instead of entering a room full of strangers, users can already know potential friends, easing the anxiety of making new connections.
The app encourages users to reach out and reconnect, minimising the discomfort often associated with initiating contact. It offers a feature called Programs, which consists of a series of events designed to facilitate ongoing interactions among participants, ultimately transforming acquaintances into genuine friendships.
The Need for Connection
Van der Vorm believes that while people have friends, they often lack those who are nearby, available, and interested in the same activities. Clyx aims to eliminate the hassle of planning, encouraging users to take the next step in nurturing their friendships.
Her journey to secure investment has been serendipitous, with connections made through casual encounters and networking opportunities. Notably, she met some of her lead investors through chance meetings, including one at a coffee shop that led to an introduction by a mutual acquaintance.
Currently, Clyx operates in Miami and London, with plans to expand to New York and São Paulo shortly. The company is also focusing on product development, forging brand partnerships, and growing its team.
While other platforms like Meetup and Bumble have attempted to facilitate social connections, van der Vorm aspires for Clyx to distinguish itself. She envisions a future where going out to socialise with friends is as effortless as staying home and browsing social media. Her goal is to foster happiness, health, and a sense of belonging for users of Clyx.