How Ping Social is helping cure FOMO for the millennial generation

by Tessa McLean
July 6, 2015

[ibimage==35823==Original==none==self==ibimage_align-center]

Ping Social founders Will Ko, Winston Tri, Wes Cole (From left to right)

The millennial generation is often labeled the generation of choice. We change jobs frequently, we’re always connected, and we’ve got plenty of ambition. We also value great experiences, especially ones we can Instagram, Snap and Tweet. But, it’s a little over the top to create a Facebook event for a pickup soccer game or to send a 15-person group text just to see who wants to try out the new neighborhood bar tonight.
 
Founders Will Ko, Winston Tri, and Wes Cole spent the last winter coding in a garage to fix this problem and created Ping Social, a new social media channel helping friends organize and attend events with people in their network. The friends and roommates weren’t satisfied with social media showing them what their friends did yesterday or even a couple hours before. They wanted to know what friends were doing tonight or tomorrow.
 
[ibimage==35904==Original==none==self==ibimage_align-left]
“Ping Social can revolutionize the way we use our free time,” Ko said. “When it comes to your social life, efficiency is on the back burner. We spend so much time thinking about work efficiency, why can’t we make our social life more efficient?”
 
The app works simply. Users create an event for whatever they want to do, filling in a quick description and the logistical details. Then, Ping Social creates a ping that condenses all the important information and invites everyone you choose in your network within a 25 mile radius. That event also goes into your timeline and can be public or private. You can also create more forum-like invites, focused on types of events like summer concerts.
 
Other users then receive a “ping” on their phone if they’re invited to the event or can simply see the event on their timeline if it’s a public event. Users can say whether or not they’re attending and add comments. 
 
“We’re trying to solve the millennial problem,” Ko said. “Group texts are very messy and unorganized. People respond better to statements and real, organized plans.”
 
The free app soft-launched in April and in just two weeks, the app generated over a thousand users. The user base has now doubled at over 2,000 users all across Texas, focused mainly in
[ibimage==35906==Original==none==self==ibimage_align-right]
 Austin, and they are currently planning for a public launch in August. 
 
They goal is to hit 10,000 users by the end of September and seek a seed round of funding in 
October or November. They’re currently at six employees and are based out of Capital Factory, utilizing a friends and family round of funding they received early in 2015.
 
“We’re focused on creating experiences and memories for our generation,” Ko said. “Our mission is about getting together, hanging out, and getting off of technology.”
 
Have a tip for us or know of a company that deserves coverage? Email us via [email protected]
 

 

Jobs at Ping Social (application)

Austin startup guides

LOCAL GUIDE
Best Companies to Work for in Austin
LOCAL GUIDE
Coolest Tech Offices in Austin
LOCAL GUIDE
Best Perks at Austin Tech Companies
LOCAL GUIDE
Women in Austin Tech