Jagat, a social network created to encourage real-world interactions with friends instead of mindlessly scrolling on your phone, has surpassed 10 million users globally since its launch in March earlier this year. The location-based social network, available on both iOS and Android, acts as a social map for friends and nearby activities, aiming to foster genuine connections and friendships.
Founded by Jagat President Barry Beagen and CEO Loy Xing Zhe in Singapore and Indonesia, the startup is challenging mainstream social apps by offering an interactive map interface. This feature enables users to stay updated on their friends’ real-time locations, discover new people, and explore nearby activities. Jagat’s concept is reminiscent of Snap-owned Zenly, a social map app that ceased operations last year.
Beagen and Zhe, who share a vision of challenging big tech and building something impactful from Southeast Asia, were motivated to create Jagat as an alternative to passive social apps. They wanted to emphasize real-life connections and spontaneous encounters, whether for a hike, local concert, pick-up basketball game, or a casual walk.
The social map serves as Jagat’s primary interface, displaying friends’ locations, recording visited places, and facilitating communication through avatars. The startup is actively developing features to compete with Facebook Groups, allowing users to organize local events and connect with people sharing similar interests. Additionally, Jagat is working on a feature to explore global communities beyond local connections.
Beagen emphasizes Jagat’s focus on social networking rather than media consumption, targeting close friendships, new connections, and real-life interactions. The startup, which closed a Series A funding round in October, aims to become the default app for the next generation, prioritizing genuine connections and real-world engagements. Jagat has gained popularity, particularly among Gen Z users, topping charts in various countries, and the team remains committed to building innovative features and fostering a vibrant community.
