Meetup is the original social media platform dedicated to fostering human connections. Meetup’s app and website helps you find, build, and engage with your local community in a way that leads to meaningful, real-life connections.

Anyone can organize a Meetup group or attend Meetup events in almost any topic, language or activity across personal and professional interests.

Whether you host or attend Meetup events, the goal is the same: to keep connected.

Meetup organizers use Meetup’s app and website to create and communicate with their Meetup groups. Our tools aid in planning and hosting regularly scheduled Meetup events either in person or online by video chat. Our proprietary invitation technology creates introductions to people who share similar interests, and results in populating Meetup groups with an engaged and interested audience.

Meetup members self-identify their interests, and can search for Meetup groups to join and then RSVP to attend Meetup events. Members are also introduced to other Meetup groups that they may like, based on their interest and location.

Meetup organizers and members show up for each event, connect in real life and grow their community over time through regularly scheduled events.

A study conducted by ImpactED at the University of Pennsylvania concluded that Meetup improves emotional and social connections.

Three out of four people reported that Meetup has made their life better, and eight out of ten say they feel more connected to others. Across all key indicators, the ImpactED study showed that Meetup is making a positive life impact on its members. In fact, there is a clear relationship between the frequency of using Meetup and the positive impact Meetup members experienced, particularly for those who kept meeting amongst the same group.

The study reported results from a survey that was taken by 5,443 Meetup members and organizers, the people who attend Meetup events, and those who plan and host Meetup events, respectively.

The findings for Meetup members revealed:

• 80% of people who go to Meetup events feel more connected to others.
• 90% of those who joined to learn something new increased their knowledge and/or skills.
• 80% of people who go to Meetup events feel more connected to others.

The findings for Meetup organizers revealed:

• 89% of organizers reported an increased ability to impact the lives of others.
• 74% of organizers say Meetup has made their life better.
• 78% of organizers reported an increased impact on their self-confidence.

Meetup organizers can be anyone who has a passion or expertise that they want to share with others. We believe anyone who cares enough about an idea, activity or concept can organize and mobilize a positive community.

Organizers pay a monthly subscription fee to use Meetup. There are two levels: Standard, for everyday organizers and Pro, for business customers looking to scale their community. It is free to become a Meetup member. To create a Meetup group, click here.

Meetup builds long-lasting, high-quality communities. Meeting face to face and discussing shared interests and topics makes it easier to find common ground with others thus helping to create positive, human connections.

Meetup was founded in June 2002 by Scott Heiferman and Brendan McGovern as a platform to connect with other people in real life. In 2018, Heiferman selected his predecessor, David Siegel, as Meetup’s current CEO. To best explain why we launched, here is an email by our founder, Scott Heiferman, that was shared on the 10th anniversary of 9/11:

Fellow Meetuppers,

I don’t write to our whole community often, but this week is special because it’s the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and many people don’t know that Meetup is a 9/11 baby.

Let me tell you the Meetup story. I was living a couple miles from the Twin Towers, and I was the kind of person who thought local community doesn’t matter much if we’ve got the internet and tv. The only time I thought about my neighbors was when I hoped they wouldn’t bother me.

When the towers fell, I found myself talking to more neighbors in the days after 9/11 than ever before. People said hello to neighbors (next-door and across the city) who they’d normally ignore. People were looking after each other, helping each other, and meeting up with each other. You know, being neighborly.

A lot of people were thinking that maybe 9/11 could bring people together in a lasting way. So the idea for Meetup was born: Could we use the internet to get off the internet — and grow local communities?

We didn’t know if it would work. Most people thought it was a crazy idea — especially because terrorism is designed to make people distrust one another. A small team came together, and we launched Meetup 9 months after 9/11.

Today, almost 10 years and 10 million Meetuppers later, it’s working. Every day, thousands of Meetups happen. Moms Meetups, Small Business Meetups, Fitness Meetups… a wild variety of 100,000 Meetup Groups with not much in common — except one thing.

Every Meetup starts with people simply saying hello to neighbors. And what often happens next is still amazing to me. They grow businesses and bands together, they teach and motivate each other, they babysit each other’s kids and find other ways to work together. They have fun and find solace together. They make friends and form powerful community. It’s powerful stuff.

It’s a wonderful revolution in local community, and it’s thanks to everyone who shows up.

Meetups aren’t about 9/11, but they may not be happening if it weren’t for 9/11.

9/11 didn’t make us too scared to go outside or talk to strangers. 9/11 didn’t rip us apart. No, we’re building a new community together!!!!

The towers fell, but we rise up. And we’re just getting started with these Meetups.

Scott Heiferman (on behalf of 80 people at Meetup HQ)

Co-Founder & CEO, Meetup

New York City

September 2011

Today, Meetup remains true to its original intent, and the Meetup community is stronger than ever with more than 52 million registered members and organizers in 193 countries. We remain committed to empowering personal growth through real human connections.