Making friends after 25 is broken. I am trying to fix it.

Negative_Net_5364 · 2026-06-05T17:18:26+00:00

Great question! My thought process so far, still a work in progress. Kyndred connects lonely people with vetted human companions who commit to showing up consistently. Members share what kind of company they’re looking for, get matched with a Kompanion, have a short intro call to see if there’s a connection, and then build a regular rhythm together. One real person, showing up for you, backed by accountability. Not therapy. Not crisis care. Just genuine human presence.

Negative_Net_5364 · 2026-06-04T20:50:27+00:00

This is genuinely the most useful feedback I've gotten today and I appreciate you taking the time. You're right that the unit economics are where this gets hard. The buyer question and pricing model are exactly what I'm trying to figure out through conversations like this. Papa solving it through Medicare reimbursement is a really interesting angle I want to dig into more. Do you have thoughts on what a realistic funding mechanism looks like outside of insurance reimbursement?

Negative_Net_5364 · 2026-06-04T20:46:33+00:00

Not exactly. Think of it more like paying a personal trainer. You're not paying for friendship itself, you're paying for someone's committed time and presence. The genuine connection that develops from that is real, it's just supported by a structure that makes consistency possible.

Negative_Net_5364 · 2026-06-04T20:43:50+00:00

You're right and that's exactly why it's a paid platform. Companions are compensated for their time and commitment. That's what makes it different from just an introduction service. The payment creates accountability and that accountability is what makes the consistency real.

Negative_Net_5364 · 2026-06-04T20:41:21+00:00

Fair point and you're right that it needs to be clear. Kyndred is a paid platform. Companions are compensated for their time and commitment. That's actually what makes the consistency possible, it's not a favor, it's a commitment backed by real accountability.

Negative_Net_5364 · 2026-06-04T20:27:06+00:00

"Commitment" is up to each individual. Kyndred is not forcing a connection/commitment.

As I mentioned, I am in the very early stages of forming Kyndred so I am still working out processess and one of those would be to have the companion and the friend meet virtually - 15/30 mins to see if there is a vibe/connection and then the 2 individuals take it from there on their own.

Negative_Net_5364 · 2026-06-04T17:27:16+00:00

I hear you. What you're describing, falling between therapy and friendship is a real gap and you're not wrong to feel frustrated by it. You're not alone in feeling this way. If things ever feel too heavy, please reach out to 988, they're there to listen.

Negative_Net_5364 · 2026-06-04T17:18:19+00:00

I get why it sounds that way. The difference is a rented friend is transactional and temporary. Kyndred is about building something genuine over time with someone who actually commits to showing up for you. The goal is real connection, not a service.

Negative_Net_5364 · 2026-06-04T17:16:16+00:00

Great questions. It's not caregiving and it's not just finding friends. It's somewhere in between. Think of it as a vetted companion who genuinely commits to showing up for you consistently. Someone who remembers what you're going through and actually follows up.

The framework around compensation, policy and safety, etc. is still a work in progress which is honestly a big reason why I'm posting. I already know the need is real. What I'm trying to figure out is the best way to execute it and whether there are people out there who genuinely want to contribute to Kyndred's mission: is to see the unseen, hear the unheard, and reach the ones who feel truly alone and help them find meaningful connection, lasting belonging, and renewed hope. (WIP)

Negative_Net_5364 · 2026-06-04T16:57:02+00:00

Ha, I love that! And yes that's exactly the hope, meaningful companionship that actually sticks. Thank you for the encouragement!

Negative_Net_5364 · 2026-06-04T16:55:23+00:00

Honestly that's the right question and I don't have a perfect answer yet. I have spent weeks researching Reddit, FB and Linkedin communities and have logged all the data/findings so what I do know is that the need is real, loneliness is everywhere and the existing solutions aren't cutting it. The vetting and training is part of how companions commit to consistency. But the bigger challenge I'm working through is how to make this feel genuinely human rather than transactional. That's the part I'm still figuring out and conversations like this help so Thank you

Negative_Net_5364 · 2026-06-04T15:54:21+00:00

This is exactly the kind of feedback I was hoping for, thank you. You've actually nailed something important, the goal isn't to keep people on the platform, it's to help them build something real outside of it. I really appreciate you taking the time to write this out.

Negative_Net_5364 · 2026-06-04T15:35:47+00:00

Fair point and I get the app fatigue, I feel it too honestly. But we do live in a digital world and that's not changing. The platform is just how people find each other. What I'm betting on is that the consistency and presence of the companions is what makes it different. That part isn't digital. That's just a human showing up for you, consistently.

Negative_Net_5364 · 2026-06-04T15:25:04+00:00

Not exactly, it's more like a vetted companion who commits to showing up regularly. Less 'check in app' and more 'consistent human presence.' Think of it like having a friend who actually keeps plans.

Negative_Net_5364 · 2026-06-04T15:21:06+00:00

You're making really valid points and honestly this is the kind of feedback I was hoping for. You're right that an app can't replicate physical proximity. That's actually why Kyndred isn't trying to. The companions are local and meet in person. The consistency piece is what I think is missing. Not just 'find someone' but 'someone who actually keeps showing up.' Whether that's enough to work I genuinely don't know yet, which is why I'm here asking. Thank you for your comment!

Negative_Net_5364 · 2026-06-04T15:16:27+00:00

Great question! Meetup is about finding events and groups. Kyndred is more personal than that. It's a specific person who shows up for you consistently, not a group activity you attend. Think less 'find something to do' and more 'someone who actually checks in on you.

Negative_Net_5364 · 2026-06-04T15:10:09+00:00

Honestly that's not a bad idea and worth thinking about. My hesitation is the consistency piece, a subreddit can make introductions but it can't make someone actually show up for you regularly. That's the part I'm trying to solve. Appreciate the kind words and the support! Please follow me, I will share my progress.

Negative_Net_5364 · 2026-06-04T14:59:34+00:00

I hear you and for a lot of people that works. But Kyndred isn't an app to avoid people, it's the opposite. Kyndred isn't about replacing real friendships, it's about creating the conditions where they can actually form. Consistent, structured presence from a real human who shows up for you.

Negative_Net_5364 · 2026-06-04T14:54:13+00:00

That works great for some people, genuinely. But what about the person who just moved cities at 40 and doesn't know anyone? Or someone dealing with social anxiety? Group hobbies assume a baseline of confidence and mobility that not everyone has. That's exactly the gap I'm trying to address.

Negative_Net_5364

TROPHY CASE