Making friends as adults can be a challenge, especially after moving to a new city. Luckily, modern technology exists, and more people are turning to apps like Friends, Flocks, Bumble for Time Left and quickly forming new friendships.
One app, called Les Amis, aims to stand out by targeting women, transgender and LGBTQ+ individuals, primarily in the demographics of their mid-20s to early 40s.
Les Amis uses AI to pair users with similar interests and encourages them to participate in local events offered within the app, such as ceramic classes, book clubs, wine tastings, and Pilates.
Anna Virich (formerly PayPal) created the app in 2022 with co-founder Oleg Pasinin (formerly Google AI) after struggling to rebuild his social circle after the relocation.
Currently, European-designed apps are currently deployed in the US market. It was released in New York earlier this month.
Les Amis (French for “Friends”) is designed to allow users to easily connect with like-minded individuals in their local area. It has a setup similar to a dating app. Users select profile photos, create bios, and create profiles by selecting from a list of interests, including poetry, gardening, yoga, martial arts and more.
The app includes an AI assistant named “AMIS”. This aids in the matching process. Every two weeks, users can participate in a matching round where AI connects with potential friends based on shared interests. Also, whether they are single, married, mother, unfamiliar with towns, or looking for a network with someone in a comparable career field, they connect them to others at similar life stages.
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The AI will decide on the match on Monday, giving users plenty of time to chat and adjust the meetup later in the week.
Additionally, the app has an Explore page where users can sign up for local events and experiences, including workshops, social gatherings, and recreational activities. We have also recently launched Trips, which allows users to travel in groups to destinations such as Morocco, Iceland and the Amalfi Coast.
The app runs on a membership-based business model and prices vary by city. For example, the monthly fee is $70 in New York and 55 euros in Amsterdam. Membership includes a flexible credit system to spend on experience. This can be spent in any city where Les Amis is available, allowing members to participate in the event while traveling.
Les Amis is available on iOS and Android devices in Europe, including Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Madrid, Milan, Munich, Paris, Stockholm, and more.
Regarding the US market, the app was introduced in Austin in May last year in addition to New York. Layamis is expected to expand to Boston next, followed by Washington, DC, and Miami in next month and October. The launch in Los Angeles is also featured on the roadmap.
It is important to note that no LES AMIS events have occurred in New York at the moment, but they will soon be released on August 25th. The app is still in the application acceptance phase and has received over 2,000 applications from users in New York.
In total, the app advertises installations of around 120,000 people, with around 30,000 women taking part in previous events. The company also reports that it has recently reached an annual run rate of $1 million.