Pie Transforms from Event App to Social Network
Andy Dunn's startup Pie evolves into a new kind of social network focused on real-world connections.
1Pie's New Vision
Founded by Bonobos creator Andy Dunn, Pie has reached a significant milestone in its journey that began as an event app. In August 2026, the company launched its 'Community Homes' feature, aiming to help users establish more permanent social connections beyond group texts and Facebook Groups. This move transforms Pie from a traditional event platform into a social network that fosters real-world interactions. The app's growth to 300,000 users demonstrates the potential of this new direction.
2Community Homes Feature
Pie's new 'Community Homes' allows users to create and manage their own communities. Each community includes its own feed, admin controls, and event planning tools. The ability for non-admin members to share events creates a more organic interaction environment. Pie plans to soon add group chats and 'hangout bids' features to enable more spontaneous connections among users, further enhancing real-world meetups.
3Gen Z's Real-World Craving
Pie's strategic shift aligns with Gen Z's tendency to use digital tools for real-world connections. A December 2025 update that showed users who they knew at events increased average session time from 2 to 10 minutes, indicating users' desire for deeper social interactions. The addition of features like 'favorite interests' to user profiles supports this direction, creating more meaningful connection opportunities beyond simple event listings.
4Investor Backing and Growth
Pie has secured funding from notable investors including Forerunner, Lightspeed, Accel, and angel investors like Twitter co-founder Ev Williams. The Chicago-based startup has built strong user bases in major cities like Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles. The appointment of Zoomies run club founder Nadya Okamoto as CMO underscores Pie's commitment to real-world community building.
5Comparison to Facebook and Reddit
Pie executives describe their platform as 'the original promise of Facebook and Reddit without the toxicity.' According to Okamoto, Pie views events as outcomes of strong community ecosystems rather than primary products. Dunn calls Pie 'Reddit for IRL (in real life),' positioning it as an antidote to the isolating effects of traditional social media while still leveraging digital tools for connection.
6Andy Dunn's Personal Motivation
Pie's origin story stems from Andy Dunn's personal struggle to find community after moving from New York to Chicago. Inspired by Gen Z's growing interest in social clubs, Dunn created Pie to support this cultural shift. 'Run clubs, art markets, watch parties - these are all part of the cultural movement toward being together again,' Dunn explains, envisioning Pie as software that facilitates meaningful real-world connections.
7Market Positioning and Competition
While competing with established players like Meetup and Eventbrite in the event-based social space, Pie differentiates itself by prioritizing people over events. This strategy addresses the post-pandemic demand for authentic social interactions. The company currently sees strongest traction in major cities but aims to expand its community-focused model nationwide, capitalizing on changing social media consumption patterns.
8Implications for Social Media's Future
Pie's transformation offers significant insights about the future of social media. In an era where users increasingly seek meaningful connections over anonymous interactions, Pie's human-centric approach stands out. Its success could establish a new model for how digital tools can enhance real-life relationships. With Gen Z's social habits driving market trends, Pie appears well-positioned for substantial growth in the evolving social networking landscape.
Original article: TechCrunch — Pie, Etkinlik Uygulamasından Sosyal Ağa Dönüşüyor