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The new app groupya”: How to find friends for shared adventures!
Discover the versatile app “groupya” from the University of Lüneburg, which promotes anonymity and strengthens local communities.
The new app groupya”: How to find friends for shared adventures!
On July 18, 2025, the “groupya” app was presented, which is an innovative platform designed to help users actively participate in social activities. Leuphana reports that the app offers users the opportunity to initiate or participate in activities such as jogging, board games, hiking or museum visits. In order to reduce fear of social interactions, participation is initially anonymous.
A central goal of “groupya” is to facilitate real meetings. The platform shows users who is also interested in the activities and thus promotes exchange. This approach is intended to enable the development of “communities of practice” that benefit local networks. These networks are not only intended for exchange, but also for participation and enjoyment of life. The app offers its users a safe space where they don't have to justify themselves when they're looking for social contact.
The role of the platform economy
Topics surrounding the platform economy are particularly relevant in today's business world. Fraunhofer IESE emphasizes that not only large companies such as Amazon and Uber benefit from this model, but also numerous smaller platforms are flourishing in Germany. Examples of successful German digital ecosystems include Parship, Schüttflix and Delivery Hero, all of which mediate different types of services between providers and consumers.
The platform economy has established itself as an economic model in which digital platforms act as intermediaries for various actors. Digital platforms create network effects and economies of scale that are crucial for companies. However, successfully leveraging this infrastructure requires companies to keep an eye on current trends such as artificial intelligence, sustainability and the metaverse.
Technological trends and their effects
A significant trend is artificial intelligence (AI). Since the release of ChatGPT, AI has gained importance and is seen as a key factor in optimizing business models. Companies need to address the possibilities that AI offers to improve their services, whether through automated content or intelligent user navigation.
Another important trend concerns sustainability. The influence on software-intensive systems can be seen in examples such as “Too Good To Go”, which conveys unsaleable food to reduce food waste. The platform economy has the ability to promote sustainability through conscious design and innovative solutions.
The concept of the Metaverse also represents a forward-looking development. Inspired by Neal Stephenson's 1992 work "Snowcrash", Mark Zuckerberg's goal by renaming Facebook to Meta in 2021 was to create a networked digital universe. Experts like Matthew Ball talk about the various properties of the Metaverse, which include a fully functioning economic system and interoperability.
In a constantly changing business environment, companies must remain flexible and evolve platform business models to meet technological trends. De Gruyter Brill In this regard, it highlights the importance of companies' adaptability and continuous willingness to learn in the face of these dynamic developments.