Jagat, the groundbreaking social network, has attracted over 10 million users globally since its launch in March
In a remarkable achievement, The Singapore and Indonesia-based startup, founded by President Barry Beagen and CEO Loy Xing Zhe, sets itself apart by emphasizing meaningful, real-life connections over the mindless scrolling prevalent in other social media platforms.
Jagat, available on both iOS and Android, functions as a dynamic social map, providing an interactive interface to keep users connected with friends and discover activities in their vicinity. This innovative approach draws parallels with Snap-owned Zenly, a similar app that shuttered last year.
Beagen and Zhe, who shared a vision of challenging big tech dominance, were inspired to create a platform that encourages exploration and spontaneous connections. Dissatisfied with mainstream social apps becoming increasingly passive, they envisioned Jagat as a space for genuine interactions and adventures.
Upon opening Jagat, users are greeted with their social map, displaying friends’ real-time locations. This is not only a tool for staying connected but also a means to document visited places and communicate with friends through avatars, messages, stickers, or updates. Jagat sees the map as the central hub for discovering nearby activities and people.
The startup is actively developing features to rival Facebook Groups, enabling users to organize local events and find like-minded individuals. Additionally, Jagat plans to introduce a feature for exploring global communities beyond one’s local network.
Beagen emphasizes the focus on reviving genuine social networking. He states, “We want to bring back social in social apps — focusing on social networking and not media. We’re made for your close friends, for discovering new friends, and for getting people out more in real life as opposed to scrolling for entertainment.”
Jagat, with around 85% of its users belonging to Gen Z, has garnered widespread appeal, topping charts in various countries. Beagen reports that active users check the app approximately three to four times a day, seeking real-time updates on the whereabouts of friends and loved ones.
Having secured funding in a Series A round in October, Jagat aims to position itself as the default app for the next generation. Beagen envisions the platform not just as a social network but as a catalyst for new creators and businesses, enhancing social experiences on a global scale.
As Jagat continues to evolve and build its community, it remains committed to fulfilling the promise of social apps — fostering genuine connections and bringing people together in the real world.
