Meet the founders of 18 startups disrupting the social-media scene with alternative ways to connect online
People crave connection more than ever, said Tiffany TZ Zhong, a founder and VC building a fresh social network for Gen Z called Nospace. All the social-media platforms are more so media than they are social. That’s why people hang out in the comment sections of TikTok.
And while many of the biggest social-media platforms have attempted to rekindle the rush of feeling connected — for instance, Meta’s Instagram reprioritized its Close Friends feature in 2023 — they have bigger priorities than helping people connect. From Meta to Snapchat to TikTok, shareholders, ad revenue, and overall user growth are all top of mind.
This tension between the everyday consumer and Big Tech has helped create a new guard of social-media founders who largely see the media element of social media as part of the problem. Instead, many prefer the term social network or social utilities.
Diem, a social search engine, aspires to be an older sister type of social-media platform, where women can get advice and camaraderie. Landing is somewhere where likes are replaced with throwing glitter at a collage. And PI.FYI, which launches this week on Apple’s App Store, came to life out of a vibrant Substack newsletter community.
As a new era for social media emerges, Business Insider is highlighting the founders who are building new apps to disrupt the social-networking landscape. We compiled this list with the help of nominations from readers, industry experts, and our reporting.
At a glance, these founders are alums of the old guard like Meta and Google, they are as young as 18, and many are women.
As the popularity of social media continues to surge, people are seeking alternative ways to connect online. Recognizing this, a group of innovative founders is shaking up the social-media scene with their disruptive startups. These founders, who come from diverse backgrounds including tech giants like Meta and Google, are challenging the status quo and redefining what it means to connect in the digital age.
Tiffany TZ Zhong, a founder and venture capitalist, is leading the charge with her new social network for Gen Z called Nospace. She believes that existing social-media platforms prioritize media over authentic social interactions. All the social-media platforms are more so media than they are social, Zhong explains. This sentiment is shared among many of the new guard of social-media founders who believe that the media element of social media is part of the problem.
One of the startups aiming to provide a different kind of social-media experience is Diem, a social search engine. Diem seeks to create a platform where women can find advice and develop camaraderie. Described as an older sister type of social-media platform, Diem offers a unique space for women to connect and support one another.
Another startup disrupting the social-media landscape is Landing. Unlike traditional platforms that emphasize likes, Landing replaces them with throwing glitter at collages. By embracing a more creative and interactive approach, Landing aims to foster genuine connections and expression.
Additionally, PI.FYI, launching this week on Apple’s App Store, was born out of the vibrant Substack newsletter community. This startup offers users a fresh way to connect and exchange ideas through their innovative platform.
With the emergence of this new era for social media, Business Insider has compiled a list of 18 founders who are at the forefront of reshaping the social-networking landscape. These founders, some as young as 18, are driven by a desire to create meaningful connections and address the limitations of existing platforms.
By prioritizing user experience over shareholder interests, ad revenue, and overall user growth, these startups are disrupting the social-media scene and offering alternative ways for individuals to connect online.
In an age where connectivity and community are more important than ever, these founders are paving the way for a new era of social media that focuses on authentic interactions and meaningful relationships.
As consumers continue to seek platforms that prioritize social connection, these startups are poised to make a lasting impact and change the social-media landscape as we know it. By challenging the dominance of established players and introducing fresh ideas, these founders are reshaping the future of social networking.
