How do you quickly find a sports buddy or local event that suits you? Neardoor.club developed an AI-driven platform that directly connects sports enthusiasts and helps them discover new activities. Users also earn rewards, but the main focus is on fun and social connection.

During Op de Ring, the team tested whether the concept caught on, if people were motivated to participate, and which triggers worked best. Visitors tried out the MVP version of the app, filled out surveys, and used a wheel of fortune to determine which sports activity they would do.

The test resulted in a significant increase in user numbers. The platform’s accessibility and personal nature were appreciated, as was the ease of making new contacts. However, it became clear that the onboarding process needs to be clearer: people only register when they understand exactly what the platform offers. Group participation works better than solo, and emotional benefits like fun, relaxation, and connection are more often decisive than material rewards. Participants also want to know in advance who else is joining an activity, which increases the likelihood of participation.

Based on these insights, Neardoor.club is working on improved onboarding with a short explanation before registration, visibility of participants in the app, and organizing its own events to add value to the platform. The team will also continue A/B testing to find the right early adopters. The goal is to grow to 20,000 active users by 2025 and scale the platform with extra funding.

In collaboration with: Op de Ring and Gemeente Amsterdam.