In a remarkable twist of fate, Shreya Murthy and Joy Tao launched their startup, Partiful, in 2020—a time when social distancing and virtual interactions dominated daily life. Despite launching a service with the ambitious goal of “bringing people together in person,” the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic could have spelled doom for their venture. Instead, what followed was not just survival, but a thriving evolution into a beloved event-planning application that, within five years, has enchanted millions across the globe.
Utilizing the enforced social isolation as a unique opportunity, Murthy and Tao meticulously tailored Partiful to resonate with younger generations, particularly the tech-savvy demographic aged 20 to 30. This demographic yearned for avenues to reconnect and celebrate life milestones, leading to an organic growth trajectory where Partiful welcomed an impressive 2 million new users since January alone. The challenge of maintaining relevance during a pandemic morphed into a story of resilience and innovation.
Standing Out in a Crowded Market
Partiful operates in a competitive landscape filled with other event-planning platforms such as Eventbrite, Evite, and even Apple’s newer offering, Apple Invites. Each competitor has carved out its niche; Evite emphasizes a “freemium” model while Eventbrite caters to larger public gatherings. Yet, what sets Partiful apart is its innate flair for humor and design, artfully catering to a Gen Z audience that values creativity and personalization. For example, users can find amusing design options—like tongue-in-cheek parodies of pop culture references—inviting a sense of fun and playfulness in the planning process.
The uniqueness of Partiful’s approach is evident in its social media engagement and user feedback. As one Gen Z user aptly expressed, receiving a text invitation to an event feels “lost, confused, unprepared”—an emotion that encapsulates the chaotic nature of virtual communication. It is this need for clarity and structure in social planning that Partiful adeptly addresses through its streamlined, text-based infrastructure which is easily accessible from both iPhones and Android devices.
The Power of Community and Connection
Murthy and Tao drew inspiration from their own experiences and a pressing need they spotted in the market—specifically, the cumbersome process of planning intimate gatherings through endless text chains. They envisioned Partiful not merely as a tool to organize events but as a facilitator of community, friendship, and human connection, fostering environments where personal relationships could flourish once again. This intent has given rise to a platform that seamlessly merges functionality with an engaging user experience.
With the pandemic pushing groups to seek more intimate gatherings, Partiful’s user base has exploded, averaging around 500,000 monthly active users as of the first quarter of 2025—a staggering 400% year-over-year increase. The platform resonates so well with its audience that more than 60% of active users check in weekly, solidifying Partiful’s position as a go-to solution for social event planning among the younger demographic.
Customizability: The Heartbeat of Partiful
What truly excites users about Partiful is its level of customizability. Event hosts can curate invitations that range from quirky to stylish, allowing them to express their personality and creativity. They can engage their guests in novel ways—like using emoji boop features instead of traditional text messages—adding layers of interaction reminiscent of casual real-life gatherings. This emphasis on personal touch transforms what could be a mundane task into a joyous process, fostering a community spirit amidst the event planning.
This sentiment echoes with users, particularly in their “postgrad” phase—a pivotal time characterized by transitions such as moving to new cities and forging new friend circles. Murthy’s acknowledgment of modern adulthood’s challenges underscores Partiful’s value, as the app supports users through their socially formative experiences.
The Future of Partiful in a Changing Landscape
Despite facing competition from tech giant Apple, which has recently entered the event planning arena, Partiful stands resilient. Apple Invites’ associated subscription cost creates a barrier that often pushes users back toward free alternatives like Partiful. As Murthy has stated, there’s confidence that their loyal user base remains intact, with no significant exodus to Apple’s platform noted thus far.
Partiful’s rise has not gone unnoticed; accolades like being a finalist for Apple’s App Store Awards for Cultural Impact and winning Google Play’s “Best App of 2024” showcase its growing prestige. These achievements not only validate the startup’s mission but also reinforce its commitment to enriching people’s lives through meaningful connections.
As it stands, Partiful is more than just an app; it represents an evolution in how we navigate social interaction in a post-pandemic world—one where event planning fosters not only gatherings but also bonds and celebrations of life.