Mental health
Loneliness and social isolation are linked to depression and anxiety. The relationship can work both ways: mental health difficulties can also make it harder to connect with others.
WHO · social connection and healthKinoLemon / Social connection
Less loneliness. More meaningful connections.
We work to address loneliness and social isolation. KinoLemon helps you find people nearby who share your interests, start a conversation and take a first step towards meeting in person.
01 / Why it matters
Connection shapes more than we think.
At NEOTOPIA, we see loneliness and social isolation as a metaproblem: a problem that intertwines with many others and can make them worse. Creating opportunities for close relationships is part of how we work towards a good future.
Loneliness is the felt gap between the relationships we have and those we need. Social isolation means having a limited network of contacts and interactions. People can feel lonely even in company.
Suicide risk
Social isolation is one of the risk factors for suicide. Support from loved ones and feeling connected to others are protective factors. Many circumstances in a person’s life contribute to risk.
CDC · risk and protective factorsRelationships, families and birth rates
We also consider how loneliness might affect birth rates through opportunities to form close relationships and pursue family plans. This is our perspective. UNFPA identifies the lack of a suitable partner as one barrier to having the number of children people want, alongside economic and social barriers.
UNFPA · barriers to family aspirations02 / How KinoLemon works
A shared interest can start a friendship.
The YouTube channels you enjoy can give you something to talk about with someone nearby. KinoLemon helps you find that starting point.
A shared interest
Choose YouTube channels that interest you.
People nearby
Discover people in your city who enjoy similar things.
A first conversation
You already have something to talk about.
A chance to meet
A conversation can lead to a walk, a coffee or meeting again.
You might be looking for your first friends in a new city or simply wanting to widen your circle. Being open to meeting someone is enough.
03 / What success means to us
KinoLemon wins when you close your laptop and go meet someone.
We want a new connection to become part of everyday life. If KinoLemon helps you find people to spend time with and you need the platform less, we consider that a success. The relationship is what matters.
04 / A model shaped by our mission
Technology can matter without being addictive.
We are preparing to develop KinoLemon through a model that puts social connection first. Funding should support that choice.
Without VC pressure
Our chosen direction is to grow without venture capital or an obligation to deliver returns to equity investors. That gives us the freedom to design for relationships that can continue beyond the platform.
Free to use
Access remains free for users. Development aims to make connecting easier, without needing to maximise time spent in the app.
Funding development
We aim to combine donations, grants and potential services for institutions. We are seeking funding for a defined next stage of the product and its local communities.
05 / What comes next
The platform is live. We are building its next chapter.
KinoLemon is an existing platform created by Max Kuśmierek. You can use it today. We are preparing to bring it into NEOTOPIA.
We want to reach local communities through creators, organisations and events, and create opportunities to meet. The founder has stated that platform maintenance is covered; we are seeking partners and funding for the next stage of development.
We will examine what helps relationships grow.
We want to find out whether contacts lead to meetings and whether connections last. Changes in loneliness and social isolation require a separate assessment.
We do not yet have research results on KinoLemon’s impact on loneliness. Research on the wider problem informs our purpose; the platform’s effectiveness needs its own evaluation.
Help create more opportunities to meet.
Meet people
Find something in common with someone nearby.
Visit the platformGet involved locally
Do you run a community, create content or have a place for people to meet? Let’s explore what we could do together.
Propose a partnershipSupport development
Help fund outreach and the platform’s next stage. Together, we can define the scope and how to assess it.
Discuss fundingNext project