Lunchclub Explained

Lunchclub
Founded:November 2017
Area Served:Worldwide

Lunchclub is an American social platform that uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to connect users with common interests and objectives.[1] Lunchclub operates remote-first, and lacks an official physical headquarters. The platform is accessible through a mobile app or a web browser.

History

Lunchclub was established in November 2017[2] . The parent company of Lunchclub is Elliot Technologies, Inc.[3] The platform started its services in cities across the United States and United Kingdom and, as of 2021, it is available worldwide.[4] [5] [6]

Lunchclub received $4 million in a seed funding round from a16z to connect professionals offline. In 2020, Lunchclub raised a $24 million series A round led by Coatue and Lightspeed Venture Partners. After the series A funding, the company's estimated valuation is above $100 million.[7] Investors including Michael Ovitz, Max Levchin, Adam D’Angelo, Vlad Tenev, and Ruchi Sanghvi have also helped fund the company.[8]

In March 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Lunchclub added video chat to the platform, using the same technology.

Features

Lunchclub uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to connect people that share similar interests, values, and goals. The user defines their interests including career, funding, partnerships, new business ideas, and more. Then, its machine learning and AI process create profiles from user information and their public data sources. They then match people up, using this data, based on their interests and objectives.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Melendez. Steven. 2021-04-02. Hankering to meet new people? Try one of these virtual networking apps. 2021-05-24. Fast Company. en-US.
  2. Web site: Brown. Nikki. 2021-01-08. What to Know About Lunchclub, Another Invite-Only Site With Perks. 2021-05-24. Blogging Tips & Events for Content Creators Everywhere Blogher. en-US.
  3. News: Alcántara. Ann-Marie. 2020-08-19. Apps Serve Professionals Distanced Networking With Novel Twists. en-US. Wall Street Journal. 2021-05-24. 0099-9660.
  4. Web site: Lunchclub raises $4M from a16z for its AI warm intro service. 2021-05-24. TechCrunch. 18 September 2019 . en-US.
  5. Web site: Bastone. Nick. The founders of Lunchclub, a startup for making better professional connections, used this pitchdeck to raise $4 million in funding. 2021-05-24. Business Insider. en-US.
  6. Web site: Strick. Katie. 2020-07-13. The new way of networking: from Zoom lunch clubs to Icebreaker. 2021-05-24. www.standard.co.uk. en.
  7. Web site: Novet. Jordan. 2020-09-01. Lunchclub, a 15-person start-up that makes professional introductions, tops $100 million valuation as usage spikes in quarantine. 2021-05-24. CNBC. en.
  8. Web site: Swant. Marty. The Marketer Behind Bumble's Growth Joins Lunchclub As The Networking Startup's First CMO. 2021-05-25. Forbes. en.