Project description

Vonk is much more than just a platform for activities... It's a real solution to fight against social isolation ! 💙

Designed for those who are new to the city or want to meet new people all while having fun with their hobbies and do their part to reduce loneliness, Vonk promotes authentic and spontaneous encounters. The first project from the We Grow Together initiative - a social enterprise dedicated to personal development and self-discovery - Vonk stands out with its unique approach: minimizing time spent online and maximizing real moments of sharing. 👭

Unlike other platforms, Vonk does not seek to monetize friendship or romantic relationships. No repetitive online chatting nor endless swiping. With Vonk, all you have to do is add an activity to your agenda, whether it's a sports session, a cultural outing such as a museum visit, or simply having a drink. The app then takes care of connecting you with other like-minded people . 🧗‍♀️🚴‍♀️🍻🎭

It's simple: Vonk offers an easy answer to a problem that has become common in our society: the need to reconnect with others in an organic way. And we love it!

Profile

I'm looking for someone who shares my mindset : someone for whom personal development is important and who wants to solve pressing issues in the world, in this case loneliness!

Ideally, you:

Enjoy learning new things and solving problems
Are organized and able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
Have expertise or interest in marketing, sales, design
Optional: You can assist me in the technical work (programming, testing, system design, infrastructure management, etc.)

If you have one or even more of the skills mentioned above and share my passion for this project, join me! 🚀

Why this project?

The project is currently still in the idea stage (with progress towards an MVP), so for now, the benefits are:

Equity in the company
Join the WeAreFounders program with me : This program offers offices (unassigned seats for free, paid assigned office), networking opportunities, and weekly business workshops, including conferences from successful business leaders. It is located in BeCentral, a digital hub in the heart of Brussels hosting various other start-ups, mainly in the technology sector. Other partners in the program include Google, BeAngels and Bruxelles Formation.
Work on a topic with a significant social and societal impact
Lots of freedom to help steer the project towards success 🌟

Commitments to a sustainable world

Vonk is on a mission to tackle the growing problem of loneliness in our society. Here are the core values that guide the project:

No exploiting people : No solution to loneliness can be for-profit.
Organic interactions : No swiping or endless discussions. It's like having a chance encounter with someone in real life!
Privacy first : No profiles, so no forced sharing of personal information visible to all.
Offline is king : Vonk wants you to meet people, not spend time on your phone or computer.
Foster a safe and welcoming community : Everyone should be able to use Vonk and expect a safe and caring experience, whether they become friends or not.

About the Founder

Bart Bullens

Cofounder

I'm a dreamer. ✨ I wish I could be and do everything. My most important value is personal development. This growth mindset extends to every aspect of my life. It pushes me to take care of my health by eating well and doing sports, it makes me passionate about everything I do, it makes me want to improve in everything I do, and it makes me thirst to discover the richness and beauty that the world has to offer.

I want to convey that mindset, and more importantly, provide these opportunities for others. By founding my own business, I hope to develop many new skills and enrich my life, but also the lives of others through the social impact I seek to create.