Meetup

Meetup, a platform for connecting people with common interests

Meetup is a digital platform that allows users to find and join local or online groups and events, or create their own. Its purpose is to make it easier for people with similar hobbies, goals, or interests to meet and take part in joint activities. Membership is free and registration is done through the website.

How the platform works

The service is built around three main actions: discover events and groups, connect with like-minded people, and create your own group to organize meetups. Organizers post events and interested people sign up. The platform shows events near a given location, such as those appearing for the Hollywood, Florida area, as well as online events.

Example events and activities

Among the events listed on the site are social mixers for young professionals, language meetups, meetups for remote workers and digital nomads, happy hours, real estate networking events, pickleball games, and snorkeling outings. Virtual events are also announced, such as social skills practice, introductions to artificial intelligence tools, technical sessions on databases, and real estate investment networking meetings. All the examples shown are free.

Categories and geographic reach

The platform organizes activities into categories such as travel and outdoor, social activities, hobbies and passions, sports and fitness, health and wellness, technology, arts and culture, games, career and business, and science and education. Meetup states that it has a presence in numerous cities; among the popular cities it mentions are New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Nashville, and Miami.

Community and history

According to the information on the site, since 2002 members have used Meetup to make new friends, meet people with similar interests, spend time on their hobbies, and connect with people in their area. The platform cites the case of a writer from New Jersey who used the service to make friends in her hometown. It also mentions that more than 250,000 women participate in programming groups around the world, with 335 groups dedicated to women programmers.

Management and operation

The site is operated by Bending Spoons US Inc., which is listed as the rights holder and responsible for the platform. The company also offers Meetup Pro, a version aimed at organizations, and has mobile apps for Android and iOS.