Social networking services bring people together, but they do not necessarily ensure close friendship. Without face-to-face communication which guarantees intimacy and close bonding, people are still drifting apart with friends, even though we can know exactly what our friends are doing through their microblogs or WeChat moments.
Firefly, an events social app developed by Shanghai-based startup Guanxi. Inc., aims to restore traditional interpersonal relationships by allowing users to invite friends to participate in offline events together, like concerts, exhibitions, parties, so as to facilitate regular face-to-face interaction between humans.
The app will recommend offline activities based on the event categories pre-set by the users. It also allows one-click sharing or invitation to friends to join the activities together.
Another interesting feature of the app is that it enables users to scan the surroundings to find out what events are going on nearby. This function could be very useful for those who do not have the habits of planning ahead for events.
The app now integrates both paid and free events. Although the users will be redirected to other third-party ticket services to finish the payment for paid events, Firefly planned to add ticket sales features in future updates, according to Alvin Wong Graylin, CEO of the company.
Guanxi Inc. is also the operator of a location-based social networking platform Guanxi.me. After spinning off from mobile search and marketing service provider Minfo Inc. in 2012, Guanxi Inc. has raised Series A funding led by Singapore telecom carrier SingTel Innov8, including an investment from Timothy Draper of Draper and Associates.
Alvin Wang Graylin, founder of Guanxi Inc. and Minfo Inc., is a seasoned entrepreneur with over 20 years of business management experience in the technology industry, including 15years in Greater China.
image credit: Firefly