Hoplr

Hoplr NV, a Belgian private limited company established on January 22, 2014, operates a social network designed to foster local community engagement and streamline communication between citizens and public entities. The company was founded by Jennick Scheerlinck and Jonas Heirwegh, who initially conceived the idea after experiencing a sense of disconnection in their own neighborhoods. Scheerlinck, serving as the CEO, brings a background in product development to the venture, while Heirwegh, the CTO, has a foundation in software engineering, creating a complementary leadership team to drive the platform's development.

The platform operates on a hyperlocal level, creating closed, private social networks for individual neighborhoods. This structure allows residents to connect with their immediate neighbors to exchange help, share items, organize activities, and discuss local matters. The core service is free for citizens, aiming to build strong, self-sufficient communities and increase social cohesion. The business model is centered on providing a digital suite of tools to local governments, utilities, and other public-sector organizations. These entities pay a license fee to access a service dashboard that enables them to engage in neighborhood-wide communication, conduct surveys, post official announcements, and promote citizen participation initiatives. This approach allows authorities to communicate directly with specific neighborhoods or the entire city, facilitating a more targeted and effective dialogue with residents.

Hoplr's service includes features designed to enhance neighborhood life, such as a local calendar for events, a messaging system for neighbor-to-neighbor communication, and a platform for sharing goods and services. A significant milestone for the company was its expansion beyond its initial base in Belgium to the Netherlands, and it now serves communities across more than 2,800 neighborhoods. The company's revenue is generated through annual subscriptions from its public and private partners, which numbered over 200 by early 2024. This funding model ensures the platform remains free of advertising and guarantees data privacy for its citizen users, a key differentiating factor in the social media landscape.

Keywords: neighbourhood network, civic technology, citizen engagement, local government communication, community building, hyperlocal platform, social cohesion, public sector SaaS, digital participation, smart city solutions