The new feature provides dedicated homepages for social groups, shifting the app's focus from singular events to ongoing relationships. Each community includes a feed, management tools for admins, and shared event planning resources. Unlike restricted platforms, Pie allows all members to contribute to the feed, fostering a more organic networking experience. Upcoming updates will introduce direct group chats and casual posting tools for impromptu meetups, such as crafting sessions or watch parties.
In section Startups & Technology
Andy Dunn’s Pie pivots from event planning to community building
Moving beyond its origins as a Chicago-based event app, Pie is reinventing itself as a digital hub for real-world social groups. The startup, founded by Bonobos’ Andy Dunn, launched a “Community Homes” feature this Tuesday, positioning itself as a non-toxic, identity-based alternative to traditional group chats and social media forums.
This transition reflects a broader shift in user behavior as younger generations prioritize tangible, offline connections over passive social media scrolling. Since shifting its activity feed last December to prioritize personal connections over event discovery, the app saw average user engagement jump from two to ten minutes. Supported by investors like Forerunner, Lightspeed, and Twitter co-founder Ev Williams, Pie currently claims a user base of 300,000. With co-founder and CMO Nadya Okamoto—who previously launched the NYC-based run club Zoomies—on board, the team is positioning the platform as a deliberate ecosystem for social clubs. Dunn describes the project as a "Reddit for IRL," aiming to replace the anonymity and toxicity of legacy forums with a space built for genuine community belonging in markets like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
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