I’ve always hated networking.
I cringe just thinking about those events—wandering through a room full of strangers, feeling their eyes on my name tag as they awkwardly try to figure out if I’m a relevant connection without being too obvious. Usually, I leave before even meeting anyone. And on the rare occasion when I do meet someone, I typically find that they have little to do with my industry—or worse, they’re trying to sell me something.
The networking tools that already exist online feel the same to me—cluttered, irrelevant, time-consuming. For a while, I thought professional networking just wasn’t for me.
But then, I realized that I actually do like networking—just not in the traditional way.
When I was feeling cooped up in my NYC apartment during the pandemic, I decided to enroll in a matchmaking course on a whim. I’ve always liked connecting people, and I thought it could be a fun hobby. When I brought up the idea to my husband, it led to a larger conversation about how matchmaking had undergone such transformation over the years. Advancements in matchmaking technology made dating more efficient and more effective—in fact, we met on a dating app!
That’s when we had an idea. What if we adopted the same technology that powers today’s dating apps, but we used it for professional networking? To create a casual environment for efficient, hassle-free networking on your own time, and right from your smartphone—so instead of helping you build a roster of potential love interests, we could help you build your professional network? Forum was designed to do just that.
With the help of modern technology, Forum has eliminated the awkwardness that comes along with traditional networking, and it has created a simple and efficient networking process that even people like me can enjoy.
Of course, Forum is only as good as its community of professionals, so thank you for giving it a try. We hope you enjoy using the app as much as we’ve enjoyed building it.