MyScoot: Akhil Tripathi on Curing Urban Loneliness through Curated Social Experiences
In the bustling metros of India, you can be surrounded by millions and still feel deeply alone. Akhil Tripathi, Co-founder of MyScoot, recognized this "urban loneliness" early on. After stints at Hike Messenger and Ernst & Young, the BITS Pilani alumnus pivoted from the corporate world to build a platform that brings like-minded people together through home-hosted social experiences. It's a journey about trust, community, and the fundamental human need for meaningful connection.
The insight for MyScoot came from a common struggle: the difficulty of making friends outside of work. "When I moved to Bangalore, it took me a long time to discover people I could actually call friends," Akhil recalls. "Bars are too loud for conversation, and digital apps often lack the depth of real interaction. We wanted to create a space that felt as safe and comfortable as a friend's living room."
The Problem: The 'Stranger' Friction
Meeting new people often comes with high friction. MyScoot solves this by using interests as a common ground. Whether it's a board game night, a poetry session, or a simple house party, the event itself acts as the icebreaker. "You need a reason to talk to a stranger," Akhil explains. "By centering the experience around a shared passion, we remove the awkwardness and allow genuine connections to form naturally."
Building Trust in Private Spaces
One of the biggest challenges for MyScoot was overcoming the safety barrier of entering a stranger's home. To address this, Akhil and his team implemented a rigorous multi-step verification process for both hosts and guests. "Trust is our most important currency," he asserts. "If people don't feel safe, the community doesn't exist. We verify every profile to ensure that everyone who walks through that door is there for the right reasons."
This commitment to safety turned MyScoot into a trusted brand, facilitating thousands of home-hosted events across India. The platform proved that despite the digital age, the most valuable social networks are the ones that manifest in the physical world.
The 'Madness' of Starting Up
Akhil's entrepreneurial journey was fueled by a long-term desire to solve non-technical, human-centric problems. Leaving a stable job was a leap of faith that wasn't always understood by his family initially. "My family was skeptical because I had a good job at a good company," he says. "But I always knew I wanted to build something from scratch. The first person who joined my vision was a little bit 'mad' like me—joining a company that was just an empty house back then."
He believes that the "first hire" is the most critical milestone for any founder. Convincing one person to believe in your dream makes the second and third much easier. This early team built the foundation of MyScoot, iterating based on user feedback and constantly asking, "What do our users actually want?"
Akhil's Playbook for Community Founders
- Start with a Problem, Not a Solution: Identify a pain point you've felt personally. For Akhil, it was the social vacuum of moving to a new city.
- Iterate Based on Feedback: Don't wait for the "perfect" product. Launch, listen to your users, and change what isn't working.
- Trust Your Gut on People: Surround yourself with people who are as passionate about the problem as you are. The first few hires set the DNA of the company.
- Be Open-Minded: Every day brings a new problem. Stay flexible and don't get married to your initial assumptions.
The Future of Human Connection
Reflecting on the impact of the pandemic, Akhil sees a renewed appreciation for physical interaction. While MyScoot had to pivot to online experiences during lockdowns, the core craving for offline connection remained. "Post-COVID, people are valuing relationships more than material things," he observes. "We are social animals. No matter how good the tech gets, nothing replaces the energy of being in a room with people who share your vibe."
MyScoot Milestones
- Community Growth: Facilitated thousands of curated house parties and social events.
- Safety First: Implemented industry-leading verification for private-space social networking.
- Vision: Transforming from a party app to a comprehensive social experience platform.
About the Guest
Akhil Tripathi is the Co-founder of MyScoot. A graduate of BITS Pilani, Akhil has a rich background in technology and operations, having worked with Hike Messenger and E&Y. He is a serial problem-solver who is passionate about leveraging technology to improve human-to-human interactions. Based in Bangalore, Akhil is a recognized face in the Indian consumer tech space and a mentor to early-stage entrepreneurs looking to build community-driven products.
MyScoot is a platform for curated, home-hosted social experiences. By connecting like-minded individuals through themed house parties and events, it provides a safe and engaging alternative to traditional nightlife, helping people build meaningful friendships in their cities.