New Social App "Pie" Arrives in San Francisco to Combat Loneliness

As Andy Dunn can attest, making friends as an adult is no easy feat. The founder of Bonobos and advocate for founder mental health has spoken candidly about his own struggles with loneliness after moving to Chicago with his family.

"I don’t think it’s easy to admit to yourself that you don’t have friends," Dunn said in a recent interview with TechCrunch, laughing. "It’s like, ‘I don’t have any friends!’"

But Dunn’s experience is not an isolated incident. Americans are increasingly reporting feelings of loneliness, and the pandemic has only exacerbated the issue.

"The lockdowns and restrictions may have eased, but the loneliness didn’t fully subside," Dunn noted. "It’s a pervasive problem that affects people from all walks of life."

Dunn eventually found a new friend in Gustavo Casas, a fellow tech founder and investor. Casas would soon join Dunn’s team at Pie, a social network aimed at solving the same loneliness issue.

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Pie: A New Approach to Social Connection

Pie, which launched in Chicago and is now rolling out in San Francisco, connects users with events in their area. But what sets it apart from other event apps like Partiful is its focus on incentivizing creators to host events.

"We believe there’s a hidden economy of people who love to convene others," Dunn said. "We just need to give them the means and support to make it happen."

To that end, Pie has launched its Creator Fund, which pays users between $5 and $10 per RSVP to host interesting events that bring people together.

One of the most successful event series on Pie is the Sunday Morning Club, which encourages people to do group activities like yoga and beach volleyball instead of "wasting a Sunday."

"He’s maybe, like, a $100,000 run rate on Pie," Dunn said of Sunday Morning Club organizer Kyle Casaccio.

Monetization: The Key to Success

But how does Pie plan to monetize its platform? The company has secured a significant venture raise, with $11.5 million in Series A funding led by Kirsten Green of Forerunner Ventures. Twitter co-founder Ev Williams also invested $5 million in the company.

The funds will be used to support the growth of Pie’s creator network and develop new features that encourage user engagement.

"We’re not just building an app – we’re creating a community," Dunn said. "And that requires resources and investment."

A Solution to the Lonely Problem

So can Pie really help solve the lonely problem of the modern age? According to its founders, the answer is yes.

"We believe that social connection is essential to human well-being," Dunn said. "And we’re committed to making it easier for people to find and connect with each other."

With its innovative approach to event hosting and monetization, Pie is poised to become a leading player in the social networking space. And as the lonely problem continues to affect millions of Americans, the need for solutions like Pie has never been greater.

About the Author

Amanda Silberstein is a tech journalist who covers the intersection of technology and culture. She’s written for publications like Polygon, MTV, and Business Insider, and is the co-host of Wow If True, a podcast about internet culture.