The Evolving Landscape of Remote Work Culture

Remote work has transitioned from a novel concept to a widespread reality, largely driven by the circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Organizations, regardless of size, have been compelled to adapt in numerous ways. Initial concerns centered on maintaining workflow and productivity. However, a crucial aspect often overlooked in this shift is the impact on company culture.

Gatheround: Addressing the "People" Challenge

Gatheround, a startup initially founded to address remote work challenges before the pandemic, is experiencing increased demand for its solutions. The company aims to help organizations navigate the complexities of maintaining a strong sense of community among distributed teams.

Originally named Icebreaker, the platform was conceived as a means of facilitating initial connections between colleagues. Co-founder and CEO Perry Rosenstein explains, “Our initial product was designed to connect individuals who hadn’t previously met, functioning somewhat like virtual speed dating.”

However, user behavior revealed a broader need. The platform evolved to support ongoing relationship building, prompting a rebranding to Gatheround.

The Importance of Connection in Remote Environments

Co-founder and COO Lisa Conn emphasizes the critical challenge facing remote companies: “A significant problem, bordering on a crisis, is fostering connection, trust, and empathy among individuals who do not share a physical workspace.”

The spontaneous interactions that naturally occur in a traditional office – brief conversations after meetings, shared meals – are absent in remote settings. These moments are vital for organically building relationships.

Gatheround argues that neglecting the social needs of employees can lead to increased transactional work dynamics and feelings of isolation. Humans are inherently social beings, and this fundamental need cannot be ignored.

Gatheround’s Approach to Virtual Connection

The platform facilitates online interactions through real-time events, encompassing chats, video conferences, and both one-on-one and group discussions.

Gatheround also provides customizable templates for cultural rituals and learning & development (L&D) initiatives, including all-hands meetings and workshops focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The platform’s video conversations are intended to provide a more personal alternative to text-based communication platforms like Slack, which, while useful for information exchange, lack the immediacy of face-to-face interaction.

Impressive Growth and Notable Clients

Since its launch, Gatheround has quietly amassed a substantial client base. This includes 28 companies within the Fortune 500, 11 of the 15 largest U.S. tech firms, 26 of the top 30 universities, and over 700 educational institutions.

Notable users include Asana, Coinbase, Fiverr, Westfield, and DigitalOcean. Universities like Georgetown’s Institute of Politics and Public Service, and organizations such as the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, also utilize the platform.

To date, approximately 260,000 users have held 570,000 conversations on Gatheround’s SaaS-based video platform.

Securing Seed Funding for Expansion

Driven by organic growth through referrals and word-of-mouth, Gatheround recently secured $3.5 million in seed funding, supplementing a previous $500,000 investment. This capital will fuel aggressive market expansion and continued product development.

The latest funding round was co-led by venture firms Homebrew and Bloomberg Beta, with participation from angel investors including Stripe COO Claire Hughes Johnson, Meetup co-founder Scott Heiferman, Li Jin, and Lenny Rachitsky.

A Team Rooted in Community Building

Co-founders Rosenstein, Conn, and Alexander McCormmach bring extensive experience in community building, having previously contributed to President Obama’s campaigns and worked at companies like Facebook, Change.org, and Hustle.

The founders highlight that Gatheround distinguishes itself from traditional video conferencing tools like Zoom by offering structured prompts and customizable event formats designed to foster meaningful connections.

“We are fundamentally a connection platform, dedicated to helping organizations connect their people through real-time events that are both enjoyable and impactful,” Conn stated.

Investor Perspectives on Gatheround’s Potential

Homebrew Partner Hunter Walk cited the founders’ strong alignment with the target market as a key factor in his firm’s investment. “They possess a unique combination of experience in political activism and community building, coupled with exceptional product design and operational skills,” he explained to TechCrunch.

Walk also emphasized the importance of “emotional intelligence” in the future of work software, noting that companies are increasingly focused on fostering deeper connections among remote employees.

“Many companies in 2020 prioritized remote work productivity. However, employees now crave meaningful connections with their colleagues. Gatheround excels at facilitating this better than any other platform. I’ve observed firsthand how people engage on Gatheround, asking questions, sharing stories, and learning collectively.”

James Cham, partner at Bloomberg Beta, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the team’s understanding of behavioral psychology, group dynamics, and community building.

“Above all, they are passionate about uniting the world and fostering a sense of connection, and their careers have been dedicated to achieving this goal,” Cham said in a statement. “Supporting Gatheround was a clear decision, and I am eager to witness their impact on society.”

Future Plans and Competitive Landscape

The 14-person team is expected to grow with the new funding, which will also support the addition of new features and enhancements to the Gatheround product.

“Even prior to the pandemic, remote work was gaining momentum. This trend has now accelerated significantly,” Conn noted.

Gatheround is not alone in addressing this market. Ireland-based Workvivo raised $16 million last year, and Microsoft recently launched Viva, its new employee experience platform.