Bristol alumni launch friend-finder app with aim to end loneliness

Two University of Bristol alumni are launching a friend-finding app that links up like-minded strangers.

Fethr was born during the first lockdown when Julian Issa and Miguel Bravo, who met while studying at Bristol, were sharing a London flat.

Discussing loneliness with fellow flatmate and fethr co-founder Gerardo Rodriguez, the trio realised they had felt isolated long before the pandemic struck.

“Meaningful human connection shouldn’t be such a difficult thing to find in the 21st century and that is why we started fethr,” said Julian, who studied for a MSci in Geography from 2010 to 2014.

Fethr users fill out a questionnaire about their personality, values, interests and friendship preferences.

Miguel, who studied Mathematics and Philosophy at Bristol, used his background to craft a sophisticated algorithm that uses artificial intelligence to match strangers together - no swiping required. The app also draws on research from psychologist Dr Kelly Campbell, one of Fethr's advisors.

In groups of four to six they can then choose to do anything from drinks and dinner to yoga and gallery-hopping.

After their mate date, attendees anonymously feedback on who they clicked with. If both parties liked one another, the app puts them in contact to continue their friendship.

Miguel said: “Bristol gave me the platform to meet many amazing people from different backgrounds to my own, who have been hugely influential in my life and career path.”

Julian added: “Now more than ever before, people want it to be easier to make meaningful connections, whether short-term or long-term.”

Fethr launches in London on August 17 with plans to roll out to other UK cities, including Bristol, by the end of the year. Sign up for early access to the app at www.fethr.app

Source: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2021/july/bristol-alumni-launch-friend-finder.html

#peoplepowered #goodnews #bristol