Gen Z Entrepreneur Tackles Loneliness with New Social App Clyx
On a typical Friday evening, Alyx van der Vorm found herself alone, contemplating a solitary trip to the gym. This experience crystallized a common challenge: the difficulty of coordinating social plans in an increasingly isolated world. Recognizing this, van der Vorm, a 25-year-old Harvard-trained computational neuroscientist, launched Clyx in 2020 to simplify the process of connecting with others through local events.
Addressing a Growing Health Concern
Van der Vorm’s academic background and research into the health impacts of social connections underscored the urgency of her mission. “Isolation can be as physically damaging as universally recognized health risks,” she noted, framing friendship not as a trivial pursuit but as a critical public health issue.
How Clyx Works
The app aggregates event data from platforms like Ticketmaster and TikTok, presenting users with accessible social opportunities in their cities. Users can upload contacts to see which events their friends plan to attend and receive personalized suggestions. A core feature is its compatibility engine, which recommends potential connections at events based on shared interests, easing social anxiety by allowing users to enter gatherings with familiar faces in mind.
Additionally, Clyx encourages ongoing engagement through nudges that reduce the awkwardness of initiating contact and through “Programs,” a series of recurring events designed to foster deeper relationships through repeated interaction.
Funding and Growth Plans
Recently, Clyx secured $14 million in a Series A round led by Blitzscaling Ventures, with participation from notable investors including Venmo co-founder Iqram Magdon-Ismail and former F1 driver Nico Rosberg. The app currently operates in Miami and London, with imminent launches planned for New York and São Paulo. The funding will support product development, brand partnerships, and team expansion.
Positioning Amid Competitors
While other platforms like Meetup, Eventbrite, Bumble, and Hinge offer features to encourage socializing, van der Vorm aims for Clyx to uniquely reduce the friction in social planning and sustain momentum in new friendships. Her vision is a world where meeting friends is as effortless as staying home scrolling through a screen.
“If that helps people feel happier, healthier, and like they truly belong somewhere — that’s the impact I want Clyx to have,” van der Vorm said.
FinOracleAI — Market View
Clyx’s recent $14 million Series A funding signals investor confidence in digital solutions addressing social isolation, especially among Gen Z. The app’s focus on easing social friction and encouraging repeated in-person interactions aligns with growing awareness of loneliness as a public health issue. Risks include competition from established event and social platforms and the challenge of user retention beyond initial engagement. Market watchers should monitor Clyx’s expansion into major urban centers and user growth metrics to assess its scalability and impact.
Impact: positive
