Making friends as an adult is notoriously difficult. In Vancouver, it’s practically a full time job.
But a new tech startup is hoping to change that.
Flock Social is a Vancouver-based social platform built around a simple idea: real communities hosted by real people. From intimate supper clubs and cozy board game nights to laughter-filled yacht parties and dessert-themed workshops, co-founders Jess Sung and Bryan Nguyen are creating space for people to build authentic connections.
“These days, although we have all of these online spaces and technologies that are meant to connect us, a lot of people feel super lonely and disconnected,” Sung tells V.I.A. “We’re trying to help people feel connected and find a community.”
Happy host, happy flock
As experienced hosts themselves, Sung and Nguyen know firsthand the rewards and challenges that come with organizing social events. Building communities is no small task, especially while juggling a full-time job. Add in the financial considerations, and it’s easy to see why many clubs come and go.
That’s why Flock is taking a new approach.
Rather than another event-focused ticketing tool, Flock is a space where groups can grow and flourish. Think less Eventbrite, more modern-day community hub.
“We want to build a platform that’s easier for hosts and communities to actually be able to monetize, so that they’re sustainably run long-term,” Sung explains.
“How we see a lot of these other alternatives are ticketing software solutions,” Nguyen adds. “We’re thinking from a community infrastructure standpoint: How do we make this sustainable so people can build communities? How can the hosts attract the right people that they’re looking for?”
To better answer those questions, Flock co-founders started out by stepping directly into the shoes of those community builders. From their first speed dating session at Little Pisces earlier this year to their upcoming book swap social, Sung and Nguyen have gotten into the mindset of social club hosts one fun event at a time.
Curating connections
For Flock, it’s not just getting people into the room, it's making sure the right people are in it–starting from the type of events themselves.
“We’re being really intentional about who we allow on the platform,” Sung says. “We’re not looking for networking or more career-oriented events or people who are hosting one-offs.”
Many Flock-hosted events such as their board game night, Meeples & Mingle, currently include a short application process where attendees share their hobbies, personality traits, or what kind of people they’re hoping to meet. Guests are then carefully grouped together based on shared interests and similar age ranges, with hopes that new and meaningful connections are formed.
“We encourage hosts to add applications to their events as well because it helps you to curate the groups that you’re getting,” Sung shares. “And when I see people who I purposely matched together ask for each other's Instagram, I’m like, ‘Oh, it worked out! They really did become friends.’”
What’s next for Flock?
With Flock still in its early stages, there’s a lot more to come in the coming months.
Sung and Nguyen shared their plan to launch an app in the fall or winter, as well as bring more social clubs and communities to the platform. Looking further ahead, they’re also exploring ways to help people stay connected beyond the initial event by supporting private, casual meetups.
“Let’s say I went to an event and I met [someone] and I really liked [them],” Sung says. “I could then say I’m going to host a private dinner party and everyone that I met from previous events I attended are able to come.”
As Flock continues to evolve, it promises to uphold their core mission: to help people find their community and sense of belonging.
“Really simply put, we’re addressing loneliness,” Sung says.
