Yesterday, [Thursday 6th October] Manchester saw the first unveiling of the eagerly anticipated launch of the cutting-edge new social app Linkup, that encourages people to meet in the moment and live for today. UK-based founders Jack Peagam and Ben Whatson yesterday launched their revolutionary app, which drives people to take charge of their own adventures and connections, going beyond their social circle and creating ‘linkups’ based on shared interests.
Linkup helps people to forge new friendships and discover things to do in your area, while lowering the barriers to socialising in the digital age. Making a remarkable impression on high profile influencers and investors pre-launch, Linkup raised just over £750,000 earlier this year to kickstart the venture. Linkup has launched at the perfect time for new and returning University students across the UK, bringing them a fresh approach to making friends when first moving to a new city.
A pioneering kind of social app, Linkup uses the latest technology to actually make its users ‘social’, following an era of predominantly digital interaction and pandemic-driven loneliness. The app innovatively connects people together who have similar interests and hobbies such as fitness, sports, and partying, encouraging them to linkup and socialise. During the pandemic, feeling the isolating impact of multiple UK lockdowns, founders Jack and Ben recognised the need for a social app to connect people together with common interests in the real world, which quickly soared into the creation of Linkup.
Jack Peagam, Co-Founder & CEO said “We’re absolutely thrilled to be launching Linkup this week! It’s amazing to see so many people across different industries who believe in Linkup, supporting us to bring our vision to life. It’s been a huge journey so far but an amazing experience to have our business go from concept to launch in just over a year. Ben and I are more ready than ever to see where we can take Linkup next.”
Combating the issue of loneliness in the UK, with research showing that a concerning 73% of Generation Z have reported feeling lonely or struggling to make new friends in a new city; Linkup launches at the perfect time for new and returning University students to try the app and meet like-minded people within their campus. Hosted at boutique restaurant Salvi’s in Manchester city centre, Linkup’s launch event saw a premium roster of influential guests including partners and media moguls Pubity and LADBible. Complete with a live DJ and talented saxophonist, the evening saw investors and influencers come together to kick off Linkup’s launch.
The entrepreneurial duo have made an outstanding impression on a stellar lineup of investors, gaining over three-quarters of a million pounds in pre-seed investment from influential stakeholders early on in their journey to help build their business from the ground up. Early investors include hip hop duo Krept & Konan and Youtuber Calfreezy, whilst most recently, Linkup has partnered with modern media group tycoon Pubity to take its potential reach to dramatic new heights.
Kit Chilvers, CEO of Pubity Group said “Social platforms are the spine of our business and it’s exciting to see an innovative, new platform being built, on our doorstep, already gaining significant support that we have the opportunity to team up with. After meeting Jack and Ben we realised this was an opportunity we couldn’t turn down getting involved in and it’s an exciting period ahead for everyone!”
Users can now be in the driving seat of their own adventures and create their own ‘linkups’ to form new connections today. The progressive new app is set to change the way people think about socialising and making new connections by encouraging users to live in the moment and create spontaneous experiences of their own. Linkup flips social anxiety on its head and provides a simple and easy way to meet people in real life: proving that it’s a social app that actually makes its users sociable.
Linkup is now available to download on iOS and Android on the App Store and Google Play Store.
