In the early 2000s, when the internet was still a bit of a wild frontier, Matt Meeker, found himself navigating the uncharted territory of online social networks. Rob Schutz, founder of Snagged and co-founder of Ro, sat down with Matt Meeker, the on of the co-founders of Meetup.com, to chat about how this revolutionary platform came to life—and how Matt snagged the domain name for a mere $1,500. Rob was one of the earliest hires at BarkBox, the company Matt founded after Meetup. It's safe to say that both Matt and Rob have some pretty good chemistry and have built a couple of multi-billion dollar companies alongside each other.
The Origins of Meetup: From Freaks & Geeks to Mainstream Success
Founded in June 2002, Meetup was a novel concept at a time when meeting people from the internet was, frankly, scary. "Online dating was like pushing a boulder up a hill," Matt recalled. "We were trying to create a social structure that made it safe and socially acceptable to meet people in real life."
Initially, the platform attracted what Matt affectionately referred to as "freaks and geeks." Think about it: Linux enthusiasts, Python coders, witches, and vampires—all meeting up in person after connecting online. It was a fascinating mix of people who otherwise might not have had the opportunity to connect in the real world. But while the platform was thriving in these niche communities, it wasn’t until a certain political figure took an interest that Meetup gained mainstream legitimacy.
Howard Dean and the Power of a Presidential Endorsement
One of the most pivotal moments in Meetup's history came when Howard Dean, then a Democratic presidential candidate, latched onto the platform. Dean’s campaign was low on funds but rich in grassroots enthusiasm, which aligned perfectly with Meetup’s mission. Dean ended every speech with a call to action: “Go to your local Howard Dean meetup!” This endorsement not only helped his campaign gain traction but also catapulted Meetup into the national spotlight. As Matt put it, “When a presidential candidate says it’s safe to use, all of a sudden, it’s safe to use for everything.”
The Weird and Wonderful Journey to Owning Meetup.com
Now, onto the weird and wonderful story of how Matt acquired the domain name Meetup.com—a tale that epitomizes the quirky, serendipitous nature of the early internet era. When Meetup was first conceived, the working name was Cloud, as Matt’s co-founder, Scott Heiferman, owned the domain cloud.com. But as the product evolved, so did their thinking. “Meetup” became the obvious choice—a name that perfectly encapsulated the essence of their platform.
The journey to secure meetup.com, however, was anything but straightforward. The domain was originally tied up with a company in Vancouver, British Columbia. When Matt and his team reached out, they were bounced around between the company and a 16-year-old kid who had previously owned the domain but had sold his business. After some back-and-forth, including a colorful conversation with the teenager, they finally convinced the company that they did, in fact, still own the domain.
Here’s the kicker: they initially offered $2,500 for the domain, but the company came back with a counteroffer of $1,500. Yes, you read that right—$1,500 for what would become the cornerstone of a social revolution.
Why the Domain Name Mattered
Reflecting on the acquisition, Matt acknowledged the importance of securing the right domain name. In 2002, having a strong domain name was crucial—perhaps even more so than today. “The domain was really, really important, and it was the right one for us,” Matt said. It provided the legitimacy and recognition needed to grow the platform in an era when online trust was still being built.
Rob agreed, adding that while domain names might hold less weight in the social media-driven landscape of 2024, they still play a crucial role in establishing credibility, especially for early-stage startups. “The legitimacy comes from if you have that single syllable or very short, common word kind of domain—it lends legitimacy to the company overall,” Matt noted.
The Legacy of Meetup
As they wrapped up their conversation, Rob and Matt reflected on the lasting impact of Meetup. What started as a niche platform for geeks and the goth crowd evolved into a mainstream tool that helped shape the way we connect online and offline. And it all began with a little bit of serendipity, a lot of vision, and a $1,500 domain name.
Meetup.com remains a testament to the power of the right idea, the right team, and, of course, the right domain. Who knew that a $1,500 investment could go on to change the way we meet and connect with others?
