Streetlife

Streetlife was a British social networking service designed to connect individuals based on their geographic proximity. The platform was developed by entrepreneur and software developer Matt Boyes, inspired by a personal incident in 2008 where a family member struggled to contact neighbours after a burglary. Originally tested as "Streetbook" in Wandsworth, London, the service officially launched across the United Kingdom on March 21, 2011.

The company's mission was to facilitate local connections, enabling users to exchange news, discuss events, and share recommendations within their communities. The platform catered to residents across the UK, aiming to foster real-world interactions and community improvement projects. By 2015, Streetlife reported having one million members spread across 4,000 communities. The business secured £1.4 million in investment by 2013 from notable backers including the newspaper group Archant, Caffè Nero co-founder Paul Ettinger, and Friends Reunited founder Steve Pankhurst.

The core service was a localized digital forum where neighbours could communicate on a range of topics, from practical matters like borrowing tools to organizing local events. The platform's structure was built around these neighborhood-specific groups, creating a targeted environment for hyperlocal information sharing. In February 2017, Streetlife was acquired by its larger, US-based competitor, Nextdoor, in a deal reported to be for less than £10 million. Following the acquisition, the Streetlife platform was shut down, and its user base was invited to migrate to Nextdoor. Founder Matthew Boyes transitioned to an advisory role at Nextdoor post-acquisition.

Keywords: local social network, community platform, neighbourhood network, hyperlocal communication, Streetlife.com, Matt Boyes, Nextdoor acquisition, UK social media, community engagement, neighbour connections, local news exchange, community forums, digital neighbourhood, civic technology, British startup, Archant, Steve Pankhurst, Paul Ettinger