GM. This is Needs to Exist (aka NTE), today a startup idea to make meetups happen effortlessly

Want to see more ideas? Check out all of the past newsletters

Here’s what we’ve got for you today.

• Daily Idea -Effortless in-person meetups.

• Google Is Old News, kind of.

AI Agent for effortless real-world meetups.

Inspired by this tweet

The One Liner

AI Agent that simplifies in-person meetups.

The 140 character tweet (or X) version

Planning meetups is a pain. This AI Agent handles availability, preferences, and logistics—so you can just show up and enjoy.

The Longer Story Version

Meetups don’t happen because planning sucks.

You know the drill. Group chat explodes:
“Let’s meet up!”
“Sure, when?”
“Next week?”
“I can’t do Monday or Wednesday.”
“Cool, Thursday works?”
“Can’t—I'm out of town.”
Crickets...

Suddenly, everyone gives up. Another "let’s plan soon" dies a quiet death.

Why? Because no one has time to play social secretary. Everyone’s busy, and trying to juggle schedules, preferences, and logistics is like solving a Rubik’s Cube... blindfolded.

The Solution

What if an AI Agent could plan everything for you?
No more group chat chaos. No more back-and-forths.

Here’s how it works:

1. You give it the basics.

   • Who’s coming?

   • When are you free?

   • Where do you like to hang?

   • Dietary stuff? Activity ideas?

2. It works the magic.

   • The AI Agent cross-checks everyone’s availability.

   • It suggests the perfect time, spot, and vibe based on what you love to do and eat.

3. You get a plan—boom.
   All you do is show up. No stress, no drama.

And if you give it access to your calendar and location history? Game over. Now it knows when you’re nearby your favorite café or when that friend you’ve been trying to meet is finally free. Suddenly, hangouts become… inevitable.

How We’d Build It

Quick and dirty MVP:

• AI Muscle: GPT-4 to collect and crunch everyone's inputs.

• Calendar Sync: Google Calendar, Outlook, or iCal integration to simplify availability.

• Location Magic: Google Maps or Yelp API to suggest spots that fit everyone's preferences.

• Activity Engine: Match interests to places and events nearby.

• Zapier or Make: For early backend automation—get it running fast.

• Mobile UX: Flutter or React Native to keep it smooth across devices.

• Future Add-ons: Integrate with Slack for team meetups or apps like Bumble BFF for finding new social circles.

Why It Needs to Exist

Because relationships don’t build themselves.

Real talk—opportunities, friendships, and memories happen when people meet up in person. But planning sucks the fun out of it. This tool removes the roadblocks and makes it ridiculously easy to connect with others.

No more missed chances. No more “soon.” Just real-world hangouts happening right now.

The Attention Shift

New research from GRIN shows that platforms like Instagram and TikTok have overtaken Google as the top product discovery tools for Gen Z. For consumers aged 18-27, 30% now discover products on Instagram, 23% on TikTok, and Google? Well... it’s taking a back seat.

The takeaway: Attention is shifting, and if you want to build a successful startup, you better pay attention to where people are spending their time and money.

What’s Happening?

Social media is becoming the new search engine. TikTok’s search pulls relevant posts by keywords. Instagram’s Reels, Stories, and carousels keep users glued to their feeds. And people aren’t just watching—they’re buying.

• 72% of Gen Z has purchased directly through social apps.

• Monthly social purchases: 34% of users.

• U.S. social commerce sales will hit $100 billion by 2025.

Short-form video (1-3 minutes) is dominating. Users want to see products in action, not static images.

How Can You Use This for Startup Ideas?

Here’s how you can use this shift instead of getting left behind:

1. Lean into short-form video – Got a product or business? Start making videos. Show, don’t tell. Use Reels or TikToks to demonstrate the benefits in a fun, relatable way.

2. Collaborate with creators – Creators are the new sales reps. They’ve built trust and influence. Partner with them to showcase your product and generate social proof.

3. Simplify the buying journey – Consumers now expect instant gratification. Use platforms like Shopify or in-app integrations to offer seamless checkout directly from your content.

4. Stay where discovery happens – TikTok and Instagram aren’t just "for fun" anymore. They're where people research, compare, and buy. Meet them there with ads, collaborations, and optimized content.

Tools You Can Use

• Canva – Create scroll-stopping short-form video content.

• GRIN – Manage influencer campaigns with analytics to see what's working.

• Beehiiv – Build an email list and drive traffic to your product or content.

• Sparkloop – Grow your email list through newsletter partnerships.

The Opportunity

The way people discover and buy is evolving fast. If you’re still relying on Google search to drive growth, you’re missing out on where real attention is. Social platforms are creating billion-dollar sales channels—jump in now, test ideas, and ride the wave.

You’ve got the tools and insights. Now go build something.

One More Meme