From left: GirlCrew co-founders Elva Carri, Áine Mulloy and Pamela Newenham. Image: GirlCrew
Social network GirlCrew is celebrating the launch of its brand new app with a series of events.
GirlCrew has a humble origin story, beginning with co-CEO Elva Carri using Tinder to find platonic friends to go dancing one Friday night in Dublin. A secret Facebook group was formed, and the rest is history.
Since then, the social network has blossomed into something much bigger, boasting more than 100,000 members and spanning 46 countries. The innovation at GirlCrew is globally recognised, with the company being one of 10 to represent the EU at SXSW Interactive 2017 in Austin.
GirlCrew is now taking things to the next level, with the release of its app on Google Play and the App Store.
The GirlCrew team is marking the occasion with an App Hootenanny, with 19 events taking place in Dublin from 17 to 20 August, including a pop-up location in The Library Project in Temple Bar. The pop-up store will serve as a space for women to meet and make new friends in person, while also enjoying some refreshments.
Are you joining @GirlCrewHQ & myself for our App launch? 4 Days, 19 events 1 App https://t.co/4q0PBxISzi
— GirlCrew HQ (@GirlCrewHQ) August 8, 2017
Co-CEO Pamela Newenham said there will be a series of ticketed events with a focus on friendship, female entrepreneurship and women in tech, and GirlCrew’s partnership with Dell EMC looks set to continue following the creation of a Supper Club for female entrepreneurs earlier this year.
The events at the App Hootenanny will be in the same vein, fostering links between female entrepreneurs and encouraging women-led start-ups.
It's like a festival <3 I'm so proud of everyone on our team making this. https://t.co/mhoSWLzQGz pic.twitter.com/djnVW0ivyN
— elva carri (@elvacarri) August 10, 2017
Silicon Republic CEO and Inspirefest founder Ann O’Dea will speak at an entrepreneurship event held in partnership with Dell EMC. Other inspiring guests include Ingrid Devin, director of the women’s entrepreneurship network at Dell, and Jenny Huston, former RTÉ DJ and Edge Only founder.
There’s plenty for women with an interest in tech to enjoy, Newenham said. “On Sunday (20 August) we are hosting a Tech Talks event. Coding Grace co-founder Vicky Twomey-Lee and Fickle Games creative director Jen Carey will be among the speakers at that.”
Managing director for Microsoft Ireland, Cathriona Hallahan, will also be paying a visit to the pop-up venue on Thursday evening (17 August).
Not to panic anyone but tickets are FLYING out for some of these @GirlCrewHQ events! Book now ?? #GCAppHootenanny https://t.co/UOwPFBxJGB pic.twitter.com/NAOrsMXp2E
— Áine Mulloy (@AineMulloy) August 10, 2017
The app itself is organised into groups by city, and then by international groups under an eclectic number of headings. There, you’ll find everything from travel and careers, to fashion and beauty, with plenty in-between. Members will share tips and support, whether you want book recommendations, a babysitter or fashion advice for a first-date outfit.
Having grown from a Tinder hack to a global network, an app was the next logical step for the GirlCrew team. With members in cities including Dublin, Toronto, New York and Melbourne, the number of locations is constantly growing.
