Kolo

Kolo
Location: Barcelona
Year founded: 2022-2023
Stage: Early-stage
Type: Community platform and app

Links

is a community platform and mobile app based in Barcelona that curates small groups of creators, founders, and builders to facilitate intentional in-person meetings. The project uses algorithmic matching, logistics automation, and experience design to bring people together. The core methodology relies on a digital platform that profiles participants and groups them based on shared traits and professional backgrounds. The app removes the logistical friction of socializing by fully managing the planning, coordination, and venue booking for both social and thematic meetups. Kolo directly addresses the issue of social fragmentation and the lack of meaningful relationships in dense urban environments. The primary target audience consists of English-speaking, internationally mobile individuals aged 20 to 35 who are seeking deeper interactions rather than traditional, transactional networking. Currently in the early launch phase, the Kolo app has been developed and tested in beta with a dedicated user base. Initial manual testing through structured offline events has already yielded measurable real-world outcomes, including successful professional collaborations and long-term relationships. The business has established strategic partnerships with local venues to host these curated meetups. While the current focus is on building density in Barcelona, the project has a clear roadmap for scaling the model to other major international cities, including Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and Dubai. Founded by Olesia Mazepa following her relocation due to the war in Ukraine, Kolo reflects her extensive background in marketing, app development, and community building. The project successfully transitions the manual process of organizing offline events into a scalable, tech-enabled platform designed to build sustainable social infrastructure.