Varsha Rao, co-founder at Zeal, has had a busy career with an impressive resume (head of global operations at Airbnb and COO of Clover Health are just some of the titles she’s held). But while eyeing her next venture — and on the brink of becoming an empty nester — Rao looked inward.
“As I go into this next phase of life, I really want to spend time building out more friendships, hobbies, things that are really important but I hadn’t had the time to really invest in,” says Rao. With time finally on her side, she was ready for intentional connections and, admittedly, some fun.
She started with a book club that communicated over email, which she says “was just chaotic.” So they pivoted to WhatsApp, but no one seemed to keep up with the messages. Other friends had similar issues in their social lives, like wanting to play pickleball without a partner or starting a run group without knowing how to begin. Rao had the moment all founders do: “I kept thinking, ‘There has to be a better way to do this.’”
Zeal is the antidote to endless streams of texts and emails that yield no outcome. Within the app, members can join or start groups, get events on everyone’s schedule, and find folks nearby with similar interests. “We aim to be best in class at group scheduling,” says Rao, whose book club is now a raging success.
“Zeal is all about doing activities you’re passionate about in groups with people that you have a shared interest with, as well as some type of affinity — be it a friend of a friend, somebody you went to the same school with, somebody who is close by in your neighborhood,” says Rao, emphasizing the importance of commonalities on Zeal. “So you’re not in a group with a bunch of random people, which nobody really likes.”
The mission is for anyone on Zeal to grow friendships — whether new or old. Members can join groups centered around activities they are already interested in with people they know or with people in their network whom they may not know (yet) who share those interests. Having an activity or shared interest is an easy icebreaker — what humans have in common with one another can create an immediate bond.
This makes Zeal an app for members of all ages, from fresh college grads moving to a new city to retirees who suddenly have more time on their hands. Regardless of demographic, people benefit from making a new friend or re-engaging with old ones.
“Zeal helps making plans and spending time with people a lot more intentional,” says Rao. “I have deeper friendships; I also have more friendships. And to be honest, I’m just having more fun.” Empty nester goal, accomplished.
