Clyx

Clyx is a social event platform designed to facilitate in-real-life (IRL) connections and combat loneliness, particularly among Gen Z. Founded in 2020 by Alyx van der Vorm, the company is headquartered in Miami with a significant presence in London. Van der Vorm, a Harvard-trained computational neuroscientist, was inspired to create the app after experiencing the difficulty of coordinating plans with friends. She studied how social networks impact mental and physical health and translated that research into the app's features, dropping out of Harvard in 2021 after a funding round to pursue the venture.

The platform operates as a mobile application that aggregates events from various sources, including Ticketmaster and TikTok, and presents them to users based on their location. A key feature is its AI-powered "compatibility engine," which recommends events and potential friends with similar interests, aiming to make it easier to connect with like-minded individuals. The app includes functionalities like group chats for event coordination, a calendar that can sync with iCal, and the ability for users to create and promote their own events. To encourage deeper connections, Clyx offers "Programs," which are multi-session workshops or activities with the same group, fostering friendships through repeated interaction.

Clyx launched a beta in Miami in 2022 and officially expanded to London in 2023. The company has firm plans for further expansion into New York and São Paulo. Clyx has demonstrated significant growth, reporting 50,000 active users purchasing tickets and over 200,000 browsing events as of late 2025. The business model includes several revenue streams: a 2% commission on in-app ticket sales, paid event promotions, brand sponsorships, and tickets sold to Clyx-hosted events. The company also monetizes through in-app purchases for boosting profile visibility and gaining access to exclusive communities.

The startup has successfully raised significant capital to fuel its growth. After a seed round in May 2022, Clyx secured $14 million in a Series A funding round in September 2025. The round was led by Blitzscaling Ventures and included notable investors such as Venmo co-founder Iqram Magdon-Ismail and F1 champion-turned-investor Nico Rosberg. This funding is allocated toward product development, hiring, marketing, and brand partnerships.

Keywords: social event platform, IRL connections, event discovery, AI matchmaking, friend-finding app, community building, social coordination, Gen Z social app, local events, group activities, Alyx van der Vorm, social calendar, event ticketing, in-person socializing, combatting loneliness, Blitzscaling Ventures, mobile social network, friendship app, event-based social network