HoozUp for something to do? Chatham man creates socializing, networking app

Chatham resident Ben Labadie is starting to get some traction on a socializing and networking app he’s created.

He was inspired to create HoozUp after a friend canceled plans to go paddle boarding at the last minute, after he had everything paid for and set up at a great spot.

He recalls thinking: “I’m not looking for a date, I’m just looking for someone to join me.”

He also thought if he’d taken a photo of the paddle boards and shared it with people seeking something to do, surely someone would have taken him up on the offer.

So Labadie went looking for an app focused on socializing, rather than dating, and couldn’t find anything. So he created one.

He describes HoozUp as an activity or events app for people who don’t want to do something alone: ​​“Do what you want to do and see who’s up for joining you.”

The fledging app has about 3,000 users – including about 300 in the region – with pockets of users in Florida and California, he said.

Labadie said if people want to see a movie or a game, but don’t want to go alone, they can post what they want to do on the app to see who is interested in going.

He’s also added a networking option.

Labadie said if someone’s going out of town and wants to meet others with the same business interests, they can send out a networking invitation and see if people want to meet.

He anticipates this will be popular, since many people have started their own businesses from home or even a side-hustle during the pandemic.

The app also can be used for dating, Labadie said, but it comes with some features a dating app doesn’t offer.

The app allows users to review a person, he said. “So you know at the end of this experience, I can give you a review and you can give me a review.”

With all the meetings arranged through the app, details are required, including if you plan to pay for everything or share the cost.

“You know this is where, this is the start time, end time; all the details of what’s going to happen, so you can set the expectations,” Labadie said.

“Safety is the key,” he said, adding events should be arranged in a public place.

The app, available via app stores or at hoozup.app, is free to download. Labadie said a token system is used, so you only pay when you get the result you want.

He said if someone’s on the app and sees an activity or event of interest, they tap on it, then tap ‘I’m in,’ which lets the person posting the event to accept, pass or request more clarity.

Labadie said he began developing the app in 2019, but had to put the brakes on when COVID-19 pandemic restrictions kicked in, preventing social interactions.

“That was really a blessing in disguise for me, because the app is totally different now and it will continually be growing as time goes on, because you learn new things,” he said.

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