We built the app we wished existed.
Avilo is a location-based social app that helps real people make real plans with other real people nearby. No algorithms. No endless scrolling. Just plans that actually happen.
Plans die in chat.
We got tired of it.
It starts the same every time. Someone suggests hanging out. Everyone's keen. Messages flood in. Then nothing. The plan dissolves into the chat history, buried under memes and voice notes.
72% of young Australians feel lonely at least sometimes. Phones are out at dinner. Parties where everyone's on their screen. Seven hours of screen time a day, 27 minutes with friends.
So we built something. Open the app, see who's nearby, match the vibe, and actually show up.
Our values aren't a pitch deck slide.
Real meetups first
Every decision we make starts with one question: does this help people actually meet in real life? If the answer is no, we don't build it.
Safety by design
Privacy controls, profile verification, IRL selfie confirmation. Trust isn't an afterthought — it's built into the core of how Avilo works.
People, not metrics
We don't measure success in daily active users or session time. We measure it in plans made and meetups confirmed.
Community-led
Avilo grows with its community. The First 50 users help shape the product. We're building this with you, not at you.
Premium funds charities
A portion of every premium subscription goes to mental health and loneliness charities in Australia.
Proudly Australian
Built in Forbes NSW. Launching in Adelaide. Then wherever people need to stop scrolling and start showing up.
Max Reid
I live in Forbes, NSW. Population 12,000. I watched people I care about move to cities with thousands of students and end up knowing nobody. I'm 1,400km away and I couldn't do anything about it.
So I built an app and sent 250 stickers to Adelaide because I didn't know what else to do. I don't go to uni. I'm 18, no co-founder. That's exactly why I built this.
I've volunteered with Vinnies and at mental health awareness days. Wherever I go, I talk to someone new. I reckon most people want to — they just need the excuse.
"I don't want to build an app. I want to remove every excuse not to meet someone new."
Where we've been. Where we're going.
The idea
Max got tired of watching plans die in group chats. He started building.
First build
Solo development. React Native + Expo + Supabase. The core loop takes shape.
Adelaide launch
The First 50 users at Adelaide Uni. Real feedback. Real iteration. Real meetups.
Australia-wide
Expand to more campuses. Build the reputation system.
The vision
A world where meeting someone new is the easiest thing you do today.
Be one of the first 50 people to use Avilo.
Adelaide Uni launches mid-2026. Join the waitlist now and help shape what Avilo becomes.