Scott Heiferman

Scott Heiferman, founder of Meetup, shares his journey from conceptualization to creating a verb that defines community gatherings. He discusses the inspiration behind Meetup stemming from 9/11 and Burning Man, emphasizing offline connections. Brad Burnham, co-founder of Union Square Ventures, contributes insights on the NYC tech scene versus Silicon Valley. They reflect on digital media's dual nature, navigating competition with Facebook, and the importance of community in modern entrepreneurship. Anecdotes reveal the challenges and joys of fostering real-world interactions.

Scott Heiferman, the founder of Meetup, focuses on bridging online and offline connections. He discusses the internet's dual role of uniting and isolating people, reflecting on the rise of loneliness, especially among Gen Z. Heiferman shares insights on the importance of community and empathy, critiquing social media's impact on genuine relationships. As he explores the potential of technologies like virtual reality, he emphasizes finding balance between digital interactions and real-life connections, inspiring hope for the future of human engagement.