The Munich-based startup Barrio uses a matching app to connect parents who plan play dates. Barrio has been around for a year now, and the young company is as busy as a playground in good weather. Our 7 questions for founder Melanie Epp.
1. Who are you and what do you do? Please briefly introduce yourself and your services!
Barrio has three entrepreneurial 'parents': Tanja Schultz-Langerhans is the mother of one daughter and is responsible for our finances. Dachshund dad Lars Mielke manages all technical aspects. And I, Melanie Epp, am the actual 'mom' of Barrio: a mother of three, married for the second time, a communications and media scientist with additional degrees in psychology and business administration. Until 2016, I headed a communications department at Allianz and, at the same time, built a children's fashion label. In April 2018, my latest entrepreneurial baby was launched: 'Barrio – the parents' hood'.
Digital to real-life gaming dates
With the app, mothers and fathers can plan play dates for their children. Barrio asks about initial preferences upon registration: Hiking or indoor playground? Cooking or eating out? Plastic or wooden toys? Each user creates a profile and introduces themselves and their children. The information will be used to introduce parents with particularly similar interests. The matching function initially accesses the contents of the questionnaire. With extended use, it also links to the app's own online magazine and compares reading habits and liking of the editorial content. This way, the app only brings together families with similar interests and parenting approaches.
2. But that's been around for a long time!
Nope, it's been around since April 2018. So our 'baby' just celebrated its first birthday. Barrio is not only the first, but still the only app in German-speaking countries that brings parents together in real life in this way.
3. What are the three main ingredients for your recipe for success?
- Our team.
- Our users.
- Persistently good mood.
4. Let’s get down to business: How is business going?
The Barrio community has grown to more than 30,000 users in just one year. Over the past twelve months, over 1,500 playdates have taken place across Germany, arranged by parents through Barrio. And the number is growing daily: the app displays over 100 playdates every day! We employ around 30 freelance writers for our integrated online magazine, who have now published over 400 articles.
5. What does Munich mean to you?
We love and embody the Bavarian coziness. For us, Munich combines the best of both worlds: on the one hand, a metropolis, and on the other, the solidarity and flair of a large village. The proximity to the international airport and the Italian border are enormous advantages for both our personal and business needs. The quality of life and the relaxed, less hectic lifestyle are good for everything: our job, our family, and the balance between the two.
6. How will your startup become the next unicorn? Or will we see you soon at Epic Fail Night?
Barrio continues to grow all by itself thanks to our users. After the first few days in April 2018, we had registration numbers that we had projected would take several months. This trend has continued in recent months—and we have now revised our projections upwards accordingly.
Barrio's favorite neighborhood? The Westend
7. Schwabing or Westend?
It's quite simple. Barrio is a Westend baby. We stay true to our hood!
