Gen Z has jobs, networks and endless online connections, but still feels lonely: This startup wants to change that

For many Gen Z professionals, building a career has become increasingly digital, but finding a community around that career can still be surprisingly difficult. Networking often means sending connection requests, applying for jobs online and interacting with recruiters or colleagues through screens, leaving fewer opportunities for the kind of face-to-face relationships that can develop into friendships, professional communities or support networks.

Clockout, a networking app focused on helping people meet professionals and communities nearby, is positioning itself as a response to that problem, Fortune reports. The company announced on Friday that it has raised $3.5 million in total funding since its launch, led by 114 Ventures, with participation from Evite Ventures, Allied Ventures, Sher Ventures, Gaingels, BMPB VC and others.

Founded by CEO Krishna Dosapati, Clockout allows users to discover professionals, clubs and events based on their location, interests, work and mutual connections. Dosapati has described the platform as sitting somewhere between LinkedIn and Meetup, but with a stronger emphasis on taking digital introductions into the real world.

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Why young professionals are struggling to find community

Dosapati said the problem became personal after she graduated from NYU and began working in New York. Although she already had people she knew in the city, she found that her existing network became relatively fixed, making it difficult to meet new peers.

“I was like, if I faced this, how are younger people going to build their network, make friends and find a professional community?” Dosapati told Fortune.

That question sits at the centre of Clockout’s pitch. The company argues that having a large digital network does not necessarily translate into having people to meet, talk to or build relationships with offline.

The challenge is particularly relevant for workers who move to unfamiliar cities, enter new industries or work remotely. In those situations, professional growth can happen online while the social connections that make people feel rooted in a place may be harder to establish.

Loneliness is becoming a workplace issue

Data cited by Gallup shows how widespread the problem is among younger workers. In 2025, 22% of employees under 35 reported experiencing loneliness for much of the previous day, with remote workers reporting loneliness at higher rates.

In the US, Gallup also found that 29% of adults aged 18 to 29 experienced significant daily loneliness in the second quarter of 2025, compared with 21% of adults overall.

The issue extends beyond careers and socialising. In 2023, then-US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy described loneliness and social isolation as major public-health concerns, linking them to higher risks of heart disease, stroke, dementia, depression and premature death. His advisory recommended participation in professional, community and social groups as one way to strengthen social connection and a sense of belonging.

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Can professional networking help fight loneliness?

Dosapati said the company has seen stronger word-of-mouth growth when it reaches around 1,000 users in a city. In 2025, Clockout users sent nearly 400,000 invitations to others to join the platform.

The company says it reached $1.1 million in annual recurring revenue within 10 months of beginning monetisation and has recorded more than 600,000 downloads. Its freemium model includes a $99 annual subscription offering additional features such as unlimited club and event access.