Meet Ripple, a new professional networking app that helps connect users with the right people at the right time.
"We set out on a mission to create a true professional network. One that we took pride in and curated. One that would actually help us connect to the right people at the right time," said Ryan Ogle, former CTO of Tinder, now CEO of Ripple, on the network's website.
Unlike the Microsoft-owned LinkedIn, Ogle aims to put users first, eliminating recruiters or salespeople. Ogle also wants to create a networking experience where people in the community can help each other achieve their professional goals.
"Professional networking is pretty terrible today. That was our consensus when we started reflecting on our own experiences with the networks out there today," said Ogle. "Interfaces packed with ads, unwanted mail from recruiters and salespeople, and a lack of community."
Getting Started With Ripple App
Getting started with Ripple app is very easy. Simply download the Ripple app from the App Store or Google Play. When first signing up, users are asked to provide their information from other social networks such as Google, LinkedIn, and Twitter, saving time from manually entering in information to create an account.
Users are then asked to pick out their interests, such arts and design, business, gaming, health and medicine, marketing, sales, and technology. Once interests have been selected, users can start swiping through cards of like-minded individuals nearby. In the stack of cards, users will find various business groups to join, examples of which are People Analytics, BitcoinAngels, Entrepreneurs, Developers, and Deep Learning.
Users also have an option to create their own group on Ripple. By tapping the Calendar icon at the bottom of the app, users can create and join different groups. Users have the ability to create their own Group or Event by tapping on the "+" icon located in the top right-hand corner. Users also have the option to open the Group or Event up to public or make it private.
Swipe Right To Connect, Swipe Left To Pass or "Face Scan"
Just like in Tinder, Ripple users swipe right to connect with someone, or swipe left to pass. If a connection has been established, both of the users can start chatting within the application.
Since the app recently launched, there are more groups than people to swipe through. However, that should all change once more users download and install the application.
A unique feature added to the Ripple app is Face Scan, which users can point at someone, take a picture of their face, and add that person on Ripple app.
Ogle said he is going to be "very aggressive" when it comes to eliminating people who are on the app for all of the wrong reasons. In fact, users will be able to flag down other users on important issues such as harassment, recruiters, or spammers.
The "Professional" Challenge
For the most part, Ripple screams Tinder but has a professional vibe to it, although there are the occasional profiles featuring users who are halfway to naked playing guitar, girls in bikinis, and hunters with rifles.
The app has yet to establish among users that profile pictures must be strictly professional.
