Munich Startup: What does Netme do? What problem do you solve?
Karim Yamani: Netme is the Real-life social app that brings people together in real life. While other platforms keep users glued to their screens, Netme turns the tables: Our smart invitation system brings people together spontaneously and locally for real-life encounters – without swiping, without a small-talk marathon, without pressure. We create real encounters in an increasingly digital world.
Munich Startup: But that's been around for a long time!
Karim Yamani: Not like us. Most apps rely on long chats, superficial swiping, and endless digital interaction. We, on the other hand, deliberately avoid pre-chatting and focus on real-life meetings: Only when both parties accept an invitation is a temporary chat activated shortly before the meeting. This creates encounters, not chat conversations.
The founding story of Netme: Frustration as motivation
Munich Startup: What is your founding story?
Karim Yamani: The idea was born out of personal pain: We were frustrated by how difficult it had become to meet new people in real life – despite, or perhaps because of, all the apps out there. So, in 2017, we founded Netme to repurpose technology for what it's actually meant to do: connect people.
Munich Startup: What have been your biggest challenges so far?
Karim Yamani: The most difficult part was thinking consistently against the mainstream. Our concept contradicts classic app logic like endless engagement or gamified swiping—which makes it harder to convince investors and partners right from the start. Furthermore, the technical structure of our invitation system was more complex than expected. But precisely this clarity of concept is our greatest strength today.
First users, financing and hybrid business model
Munich Startup: How are things going?
Karim Yamani: We have successfully completed our first round of funding. Our beta version has already reached over 1,000 users. Our new version has been officially on the market since September 2025 – with strong growth, increasing visibility, and high user activity. We rely on a hybrid B2C and B2B model: premium features for end users and collaborations with local brands and locations.
In one year, we want to be active in several major German cities and further expand local partnerships. In five years, we want to be the leading platform for spontaneous, real-life encounters in Europe – and demonstrate that social apps can bring people back into the real world.
Munich Startup: How have you experienced Munich as a startup location so far?
Karim Yamani: Munich is the perfect place for us to start: a strong network, many open doors, and people willing to test new ideas. At the same time, there's enough critical feedback here to truly bring products to market—which has helped us enormously.
Munich Startup: Risk or security?
Karim Yamani: Clearly a risk – but one with meaning. We consciously break new ground because we are convinced that genuine encounters are what people need most. And because we know: If you don't dare, you won't create anything new.
