Hive, a social app that connects people based on shared interests, launched last week on NDSU’s campus. Brett Knutson and Gavriil Telkov, co-founders, are building the app out of NDSU’s Research and Tech Park.
Hive Social app allows you to join groups based on shared interests, with the goal of creating what Knutson calls “high-quality friendships.”
“It’s taking the concept of niche communities and centralizing it, and localizing it so you can meet up in person,” Knutson said. “You can pick personalities based on what jives with yours.”
Knutson said he was inspired for the idea of Hive Social after a phone call with his mom. As someone who is physically disabled, his mother has difficulty going out and meeting friends. By using an app like Hive, she could potentially connect with more people with shared interests, he said.
“Say you are both interested in the same singer,” Knutson said. “If that singer has a concert nearby, you could all carpool to the show together. That would be a great way my mom could be picked up to go do something.”
The app could also appeal to people who are shy, or too busy to go out to various social meet-ups searching for friends, Knutson said.
Hive Social app brings virtual friends offline
The Hive team sees the idea validated all over the Internet as well, with forums and chat groups on everything from Ferraris to video games. The video game community in particular is very well-connected, Knutson said, but the difference is that those friendships often stay online.
“This is getting people to call themselves friends virtually, and then bringing it offline,” Knutson said.
Telkov (left) and Knutson (right) in their Hive smart car.
The app launched last Wednesday on NDSU’s campus. It is now available on iOS and Android exclusively for NDSU students. Knutson said they met beforehand with each of the student leaders, and are doing an aggressive push to get it integrated into the campus. This week, Knutson continues to spread the word by presenting at 1 Million Cups.
Down the road, Knutson said he hopes to use Hive as a way to increase not just friendships, but group collaboration in general. For instance, it could offer a way for people to collaborate and earn group rates at events or festivals (like Valley Fair, Knutson said).
“We want it be a platform where groups can create greater impact through collaboration.” Knutson said. “The world works so much better that way.”
Come see Knutson speak about Hive Social this week at 1 Million Cups Fargo! Join us at 9:15 AM at the stage at Island Park.
Photos courtesy of Hive.
