20 Startups That Are Helping To Combat Loneliness

In 2024, figures by the ONS reported that 27% of UK adults feel lonely – showing a growing and common problem in UK society.

With over 3.83 million people feeling lonely ‘often or always’, it’s clear that loneliness is an issue that affects many aspects of our lives, be it mental health wise, or with workplace productivity.

Because of this, many tech and startup companies have set out to improve loneliness. These platforms help people connect, share interests and find support when needed, bringing people together and creating a sense of community in the digital age.

 

How Are Startups Helping To Combat Loneliness?

 

There are a few different ways that startups help to combat loneliness. For example:

Connecting people: Some companies work by connecting people through shared interests, or allowing them to find other like-minded people around them. This helps people expand their social circles and find a community nearby.

Organising events: As demand grows for more in-person connections, startups are helping to organise events that bring people together.

Chatbots: For those that battle with loneliness or want someone to talk to about their mental health, a number of startups have created chatbots that replicate real humans, so people can speak openly without judgement.

 

 

1. Replika

 

 

Replika is an AI companion app designed to offer conversation and emotional support 24/7. It learns from interactions, aiming to provide company and ease feelings of loneliness.

Users can chat, share experiences, and grow with their personal AI, which adapts to their personality and preferences. Many find solace in Replika’s judgement-free space, making it a friendly presence for those seeking a listening ear.

 

2. Peanut

 

Peanut is a social app that connects women through different stages of life. It’s a place for mothers, those pregnant or trying to conceive, and women navigating menopause to find support and friendship.

On Peanut, you can meet others nearby, chat one-on-one or in groups, join discussions, and participate in live audio conversations. Trusted by over 5 million women, it’s a platform designed to combat loneliness by fostering a network of understanding and shared experiences.

 

3. Happify

 

 

Happify is a mental health app designed to help you break negative patterns and develop positive habits. With strategies from positive psychology and cognitive behavioral therapy, it offers activities to manage feelings of sadness, stress, and anxiety.

Accessible on your phone, tablet, or computer, Happify fits into your routine, promising gradual but real improvements in happiness. It’s a self-care tool that measures your emotional well-being, providing games and exercises for a more satisfying, negativity-resistant life.

Join millions who’ve seen a shift in their happiness score and overall contentment with Happify’s science-backed approach.

 

4. Badoo (Previously Known As Huggle)

 

Badoo encourages genuine connections with its advanced tech that weeds out fake profiles, ensuring you chat with real people. It empowers you to confidently present yourself and pursue meaningful relationships.

Whether you’re looking to chat, date, or find long-term companionship, Badoo adapts to your changing needs, fostering real interactions that can help alleviate feelings of loneliness. Form deep conversations and meet individuals who share your intentions, without the wait for a match.

 

5. iHappy

 

 

iHappy is a dating app designed to help you find your soulmate easily by matching you with people based on your preferences, personality, and outlook on life. You can like profiles to find matches and start conversations about shared interests or hobbies.

The app prioritises user privacy, ensuring your data is confidential and not shared with third parties. It also allows users to report or block annoying profiles, providing support around the clock.

iHappy encourages making new friends while giving you control over who you want to connect with. Download it for free on Google Play.

 

6. HearMe

 

 

HearMe offers a platform for those feeling lonely or in need of emotional support, providing 24/7 access to peer support confidentially and anonymously.

With a diverse group of listeners ready to help, HearMe enables instant support without the need for scheduling, making it easier to find someone to talk to anytime. Research shows conversations on HearMe can significantly boost mood.

Available for individuals, enterprises, and health plans, it’s a user-friendly app with a high satisfaction rate among users. Download HearMe for immediate, empathetic support from people who understand.

 

7. Moodbeam

 

 

Moodbeam is a real-time happiness survey tool designed to support the mental wellbeing of teams. It allows companies to identify and provide timely assistance to employees who may be struggling.

With Moodbeam, organisations can create a culture where employees feel heard, leading to improved productivity, fewer sick days, and a better work-life balance. The app provides a platform for instant feedback on how work events affect employee mood, enabling positive changes.

It’s a valuable addition for any organisation looking to support their team’s emotional health and build a happier workplace.

 

8.  TalkLife

 

 

TalkLife is a supportive community app that connects you with people facing similar challenges. It’s a space where you can share both your struggles and victories without fear of judgment. 4

Praised by Stephen Fry for addressing youth mental health, TalkLife has grown to support over 2.5 million users worldwide. It offers a platform for real-time, empathetic interactions, ensuring you never feel alone.

With features like a personal diary and customisable content filters, it’s designed to provide a safe and engaging environment. TalkLife encourages open conversations, making it an invaluable tool for anyone seeking support and understanding.

 

9. Meetup

 

Meetup is a social platform that brings people together based on shared interests, from hiking and reading to networking and skill-sharing. It hosts thousands of events globally, allowing you to join activities you love and meet like-minded individuals.

Whether in person or online, Meetup events are designed to turn interests into friendships, making it easier to connect and engage with others in your community or across the world.

It’s an ideal solution for anyone looking to combat loneliness by finding a group where they belong, share experiences, and create lasting connections. Join Meetup to start participating in events near you or online.

 

10. Bumble BFF

 

 

Bumble, known for being a dating app, released Bumble BFF as a way to connect people to become friends.

The interface is similar to the tradition bumble app, but allows people to swipe and talk as friends, rather than romantic interests. This is particularly useful for those heading to new cities or countries who want to meet likeminded people.

 

11. Papa

 

 

Papa helps connect older people with companions that can help them with care, transport and more. It’s a company that helps people find carers, but with a focus on connection.

The app is particularly useful for the UK’s older population who are statistically one of the loneliest groups in the country. Because of this, Papa is helping them get the care and connection that they need.

 

12. Playdate

 

Playdate helps bring together single parents looking for new connections. Whether they’re divorced, widowed, separated or a solo parent, the app helps them find love again.

Founded by a single mother, the Playdate offers a safe space for parents to chat, connect and date. The app has also partnered with a babysitting company Bubble to help daters cover their childcare when out and about.

 

13. Cliq

 

 

Cliq is a social networking app designed to help people find local events, communities, join interest-based groups and connect with other people in their area.

Not just good for people to chat online, Cliq helps people take their connections into the real world by giving them events to attend and be part of.

 

14. Nike Run Club

 

 

Not a startup but definitely a way to foster connections, Nike Run Club organises runs all over the world to help people make new friends.

The app encourages people to run together, allowing anyone to join and take part. This can help people find like-minded hobbyists, and is a great tool for those looking to foster new connections in new places.

 

15. The Joy Club

 

 

Founded in 2019, The Joy Club is helping reduce loneliness in older people. With 100+ live and online events each month, it allows users to find likeminded people their age who share the same hobbies.

Their events cover everything, from fitness classes to book clubs, choirs, lectures and more. And with each event costing just £4 to join, it’s not just accessible but affordable too.

 

16. Flash Pack

 

 

Flash Pack is a way to bring together adventure lovers. Their trips are perfect for solo travellers of all ages, and bring together up to 16 people on each holiday.

From Europe to Asia and The Americas, each trip is curated to foster new friendships and give people an unforgettable experience.

 

17. Nomi.ai

 

 

For those that may want companionship with total flexibility, Nomi.ai has built an AI companion. The AI is able to learn what you’re looking for from a friend and become the companion you need.

It can act as a teacher, friend, partner or boyfriend, giving people the connection they crave. With Nomi, you can help it develop a personality that suits you, talk about your feelings or anything that’s on your mind.

 

18. Abby

 

 

Loneliness can not only affect your self-esteem, but your mental health too. It can be hard to open up about these feelings, especially if you worry about judgement.

Abby is an AI therapist that is free, available 24/7 and designed to provide a supportive, non-judgemental space to talk through your feelings. The app can help people work through feelings of loneliness, developing the tools they need to go out and make connections again.

 

19. Nextdoor

 

 

Ever wanted to get to know your neighbours better but don’t know where to start? Nextdoor is here to help.

The app is designed to help residents in a local area connect, share recommendations and news and engage more in real-life. By giving them a platform to connect through, nextdoor is helping to make neighbourhood communities more communal.

 

20. Clicqui

 

 

Clicqui organises gatherings and social events designed to help women have fun and make new friends. Each of their events is designed with connection in mind, helping women meet over a pre-arranged luxury dinner.

By signing up to the app, securing a spot and then attending an event, women are able to forge new connections wherever they are.