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Howbout
The social app to keep up with friends based on how they spend their time.
- 1-20 employees
- B2C
- Social
- Social Media
- Mobile
- Community
- London, UK
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Company mission
To redefine Gen Z's relationship with time.
Many candidates hear
back within 2 weeks
31% female employees
Our take
Howbout is a social calendar app looking to take the stress out of planning private trips, outings, and meetups. Users can synch calendars from other sources and with each other to check availability, make plan pages with dedicated chats, and add polls, maps, and even event countdowns.
For a social app launched over the pandemic period of prohibited in-person meetings, Howbout has demonstrated remarkable growth in evolving into a calendar app that revolves around circles of friends. It currently has over 4 million downloads worldwide and users in over 125 different countries, generating hugely positive customer reviews.
This is a big coup: customer onboarding is a key obstacle for any app requiring high levels of uptake amongst social circles. Especially given people’s predisposition to using simpler (if less efficient) means like WhatsApp group chats.
This issue may have been what caught out similar social planning app MESH, which was launched in the early 2010s and appears to have fallen off. Howbout has had a strong start with an impressive Series A and awards under its belt. Today’s social media climate is perhaps more inclined towards leveraging different forms of social media so this high-growth company could be the one to break through.
Kirsty
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Benefits
- Competitive salary
- Generous share option package
- Opportunity to shape the direction of a high-growth startup as one of its earliest employees
- Regular company events with a social team
- Day off in your birthday week and extra annual leave for every year at Howbout
- Professional development budget to support training, skills & progression
- Social allowance - £500 per year to spend on plans with friends
- Remote working policy to allow you to work abroad
- Forward-thinking, enhanced employee wellbeing policies
- + more as we continue to put in place additional benefits and perks
Company values
- Extraordinary people
- Working extraordinarily hard
- Building something extraordinary
Funding (last 2 of 4 rounds)
Sep 2024
$8m
SERIES A
Nov 2022
$2.5m
SEED
Total funding: $11.3m
This company has top investors
Leadership
Neil Tanna
(CEO)Ex-corporate lawyer focused on the tech sector, Neil heads up our product & business vision. Previously awarded “Student Leader of the Year” at University of Exeter.
Duncan Cowan
(CTO)Duncan worked as a spacecraft engineer before Neil convinced him that co-founding Howbout would be as exciting as putting satellites in the sky.
Jake Jenner
(CFO)Ex-investment banker turned private equity investor, Jake’s focused on harnessing & applying our data, analytics and trends as well as our financials & forecasting.
Articles
Endorsements
All
Open and honest communication (2)
Team energy (2)
Challenging work (1)
Opportunities to learn (1)
Meaningful work (1)
My opinions are valued (1)
Great work is recognised (1)
At Howbout, the founders are especially good at keeping all employees in the loop with the high-level company direction at regular all-hands meetings, as well as offering everyone a chance to have real input on product decisions.
Software Engineering
Open and honest communication
Aug 2022
Being a member of a small development team working on a complex fast-growing app means that the work is always intellectually challenging and varied.
Software Engineering
Challenging work
Aug 2022
The culture and energy at Howbout is fantastic. They foster a fun, low-ego atmosphere where good work is recognised and everyone is passionate about what they - which clearly shows in the product. This is a great company to work for if you're looking for an enjoyable and challenging environment.
Software Engineering
Team energy
Aug 2022
I really enjoy working at Howbout because my opinions are valued. I feel like my voice is heard and that my input is taken seriously when it comes to decision-making. I love the people I work with and feel like we are all working together to create something great. The company culture is awesome and everyone is really supportive of each other. I feel like I am able to be myself and be respected for who I am.
Software Engineering
My opinions are valued
Aug 2022
Howbout truly recognises and rewards great work. I have been with the company for just over a year now and have never felt like my work has gone unnoticed. I am constantly being given new opportunities to grow and advance in my career. The company has a great culture and everyone is always willing to help each other out. I have never felt like I am stuck in a rut here. I am constantly learning new things and expanding my skill set.
Software Engineering
Great work is recognised
Aug 2022
The company culture is one of collaboration and respect, and everyone is always willing to lend a helping hand. If you're feeling stuck on a project, there's always someone around who can offer some advice or guidance. The projects you'll work on here are challenging and interesting, and you'll have the opportunity to work with some cutting-edge technologies. There's always something new to learn, and you'll never get bored.
Software Engineering
Opportunities to learn
Aug 2022
Howbout’s working to solve a problem that EVERYONE has! It’s so great when you see people raving about how much more they see their friends now that they have Howbout 🙌
Marketing
Meaningful work
Aug 2022
The team is all about being open and honest, whether it’s feedback, or a piece of the business that you want to know more about - the founders really believe in transparency
Marketing
Open and honest communication
Aug 2022
Genuinely fun people that like each other’s company. We’re all about collaboration & having fun together which is why we do 3 days in the office all together in our hybrid working schedule
Marketing
Team energy
Aug 2022
