Our Journey
A Growing Community Tackling a Global Problem
Since the launch of UNBLND in October 2020, our community has experienced exponential growth. We now serve over 200,000 members across multiple countries and continue growing steadily every month. But our growth story isn't just about numbers—it's about addressing one of the most pressing challenges of our time: the loneliness epidemic.
The World Health Organization and numerous research institutions have documented a significant rise in loneliness and social isolation, particularly among young adults and students. Studies show that loneliness can be as harmful to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Young people in urban centers report feeling disconnected despite being surrounded by millions. UNBLND exists to solve this fundamental human need—the need for authentic connection based on shared interests, not vanity metrics.
What makes our community unique is its interest-first approach combined with layered anonymity, which makes it more privacy-friendly and emotionally comfortable for members to connect authentically. Members discover that meaningful relationships don't depend on a perfect profile picture or follower count—they depend on shared passions. By default, no profile pictures are visible until members choose to unveil them. This simple design choice fundamentally changes how people interact: they look for friends based on genuine compatibility, not appearance.
Breaking Through Digital Barriers
One of our proudest achievements has been the way our community transcends the purely digital realm. We believe in the power of real-world interactions, and our members share this sentiment. UNBLND users regularly come together at events—sometimes organized by our team, but more often organized by passionate members themselves—forging bonds that last a lifetime. It's not just an app; it's a lifestyle, a way to connect with like-minded individuals and build genuine friendships.
These meetups happen organically across our active cities: Brussels, Amsterdam, Ghent, Berlin, and many others. Members use our event-creation feature to plan hiking trips, dinner clubs, gaming sessions, yoga classes, and countless other activities. The app is simply the catalyst; the real magic happens when strangers become friends.
Introducing UNBLND v2: The Next Evolution
We're excited to announce that UNBLND is evolving. Version 2 brings significant improvements to how our community connects:
- Enhanced discovery algorithms that better match members based on nuanced interests and values
- Improved event organization tools for creating and managing group meetups
- Better privacy controls giving users more granular control over their information
- Community moderation features ensuring our spaces remain safe and welcoming
- Expanded interest categories reflecting the diversity of our growing user base
These improvements have been shaped directly by feedback from our members—the true architects of our platform. Every feature launch reflects our commitment to putting community first.
The Team Behind UNBLND
UNBLND's growth has been fueled by a dedicated, purpose-driven team that believes deeply in the mission. Our founding team, led by Adriaan De Bolle, brings diverse expertise in technology, community building, and social impact. But UNBLND is much more than its founders—it's built by a passionate community of members like Jeroen, who has lent his expertise to help us debug application issues and improve the platform.
This spirit of collaboration defines UNBLND. We actively engage with our community on product decisions, safety measures, and future direction. Our members aren't just users—they're partners in building the world we all want to see.
Community, Merchandise, and Shared Identity
To strengthen our community's sense of belonging, we've introduced exclusive embroidered merchandise. UNBLND members proudly wear our apparel, creating a visible representation of unity in their cities and online. This isn't about consumption—it's about identity. When a member wears UNBLND gear, they're signaling their commitment to authentic connection and their membership in a global community that cares about more than metrics.
The Unwavering Support of Our Community
Our success wouldn't have been possible without the support of passionate individuals, like Jeroen for example. Jeroen is a dedicated member of our community and has lent his expertise to help us debug some application issues. It's this spirit of collaboration and shared purpose that defines UNBLND.
Grant from the Flemish Government
We are happy to announce that UNBLND has received a second VLAIO grant from the Flemish government in Belgium. This endorsement reflects their belief in our company's potential for growth and the positive impact we can have on society. With this grant, we're not only securing our future, but we can grow our team and expand our reach to help more individuals find their sense of belonging.
Making an Impact Beyond Borders
At UNBLND, we understand that loneliness and feeling different can affect people from all walks of life. We're not just building a company; we're creating a movement. Our platform has already started making a significant impact by providing a sense of community to those who need it most.
In October 2023, we’re planning on going on a road trip together with community members, or anyone interested. Wanna join? Email roadtrip@unblnd.com.
Attracting Purpose-Driven Organisations
We're proud to attract purpose-driven organisations that share our vision of community and togetherness. Many organisations are eager to utilise our platform to bring their own communities together. Our commitment to connecting people aligns perfectly with these clients' goals.
Interested? Email sales@unblnd.com.
Fundraising for the Future
As we continue to expand our platform and reach more people, we are also actively fundraising to fuel our growth. We believe in the potential of UNBLND to become a household name, a platform that brings people together in meaningful ways.
In conclusion, at UNBLND, our growth is a testament to the power of community and the belief that we all thrive when we come together. We invite potential investors to join us on this exciting journey as we continue to build a platform that connects, unites, and makes a difference in the lives of countless individuals. Together, we grow stronger, and together, we create a world where no one ever feels truly alone.
