The women's community app "Les Amis" is here: Get matched on Monday, meet on the weekend ─ "Friendships are born from 'events'"

The Meaning Behind Les Amis' Launch in NY: A Chance to "Redo" Making Friends

Making friends as an adult can feel like rebuilding relationships from scratch every time you change jobs or move. The European community app "Les Amis," which supports such "redos," announced its expansion to New York on August 15 (U.S. time). The app primarily targets women, transgender individuals, and LGBTQ+ people, focusing on those in their mid-20s to early 40s. The starting point for meeting isn't the app but "events," where new relationships can blossom from small experiences like pottery, book clubs, wine tastings, and Pilates.

This is the design. The fees vary by city, with NY at $70 per month and Amsterdam at 55 euros. The AI assistant "Amis" suggests one-on-one matches every other Monday, encouraging meetings or conversations within the week. Face-to-face events in NY are set to start on August 25, with over 2,000 applications already received just in NY. The app has approximately 120,000 cumulative installs, with 30,000 event participants, and has reached an annualized revenue of $1 million, according to the company. These facts are based on TechCrunch's report. TechCrunch

How They Redesigned "Meeting"

The Les Amis experience distances itself from the "endless swiping" of existing friend-making apps. Once users set up their profiles (photos, self-introductions, interests), they can apply for local small group events from the app's "Explore" tab. The AI carefully introduces one person every other "round," considering life stages (single, married, parenting, newcomers, same industry) to facilitate ongoing conversations. There is also a travel version group project called "Trips," offering options to spend time with "friend candidates" in destinations like Morocco, Iceland, and the Amalfi Coast. TechCrunch

The pricing model is membership-based, with prices set by city: $70/month in NY and 55 euros in Europe (e.g., Amsterdam). Monthly credits can be used for events and spent on travel or events in other cities, featuring a "cross-border" design. The app is operational in major European cities (Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Madrid, Milan, Munich, Paris, Stockholm). In the U.S., it first launched in Austin in May and plans to expand to Boston, Washington D.C. (next month), Miami (October), and Los Angeles is also in the plans. TechCrunch

Meanwhile, the official site's FAQ hints at creating a base from "open events" and a system where members can start their own events and earn credit rewards based on their contributions. The aim is to organically grow the community by balancing a closed member space with open pathways. lesamis.cc

Differentiation from Competitors: The "Event-Centric" Design Philosophy

In the friend-making domain, there are already apps like Bumble For Friends, Flox, and Timeleft. Les Amis differentiates itself with three points: (1) a female-centered, inclusive space design, (2) an event and experience-centric approach rather than swiping, and (3) bi-weekly "one-on-one" recommendations that don't overload conversations. The emphasis on "small group real experiences" reflects a focus on relationships that continue rather than hasty encounters. TechCrunch

Does It Fit the NY Context?

NY is a city with many immigrants and newcomers, often with packed schedules. By defining a rhythm of "introducing a match on Monday and meeting later in the week," the app could reduce the "decision-making cost" in NY's busy environment. Moreover, the timing of starting events from the 25th of this month will be a litmus test for creating the "first peak." The figure of over 2,000 applications at the launch is sufficient momentum, but the quality and continuity of events will be the next challenge. TechCrunch

Reactions on Social Media: "Finally Here" and "Event Culture is Key"

On August 13, just before the launch, the official Instagram announced, "Big news – Les Amis is coming to New York," depicting the city's atmosphere with metaphors typical of NY, such as "night views and the scent of morning bagels," which spread within the community. Instagram

In terms of media coverage, TechCrunch's distribution was widely shared on X, with news accounts succinctly introducing it as "a European app supporting women in making real friends, launching in NY." This linkage of primary reporting and SNS dissemination made the context of a "friend app" visible even beyond the target audience. X (formerly Twitter)

Can It Be a "Cure" for the Age of Loneliness?

Since the pandemic, loneliness has become a public health issue in many countries, and there is renewed attention on creating "small communities" in real life. Les Amis responds to this trend with a design that nurtures relationships from "places of experience." In media interviews, founder Anna Bilych has stated, "Shared experiences in small groups bring sustainability to relationships." The Story ExchangeMedium

Risks and Homework

However, for a female-centered platform, balancing "safety" and "inclusivity" is an eternal theme. The application system, curation, and small group operations can serve as deterrents, but during rapid expansion phases, operational burdens and transparency of standards will be questioned. The price is also not cheap at $70 per month in NY. How to build up "high-quality regular experiences" that justify the price—this is the key to not just being a one-time topic but creating a chain reaction to the second and third cities. TechCrunch

For Beginners: The Shortest Route

• Getting the App: Available on iOS / Android. Start by downloading the app. TechCrunch

• How to Participate: Membership application→approval→participate in events with monthly credits. For those still undecided, try "open events." lesamis.cc

• Timeline:
  ・May 2025: First U.S. launch (Austin)
  ・August 15, 2025: NY launch announcement (events to start on August 25)
  ・Future: Boston→Washington D.C. (next month)→Miami (October)→Los Angeles (planned) TechCrunch

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