India’s Offline Social Network Revolution: Misfits Leads the Way

In an age dominated by screens and virtual interactions, a new-age Indian startup is redefining how we connect. Misfits, a hobby-based offline community platform, has raised Rs 5 crore in seed funding to fuel its next phase of growth and expansion. The funding round was led by Info Edge Ventures and Better Capital, signaling strong investor confidence in the platform’s vision to foster real-world social engagement across urban India.

This milestone not only validates Misfits’ unique business model but also positions it at the forefront of a rising trend—offline community-building in the digital age.

What is Misfits: The Vision Behind the Platform

Founded in 2022 by four IIT Kanpur alumni Shashwat Narhatiyar, Chaitanya Dhawan, Saurabh Sharma, and Shaswat Kar—Misfits was born out of a desire to bring people together around shared hobbies and passions. Unlike traditional social media platforms, Misfits operates in the offline domain, empowering users to create and join local clubs based on common interests.

Whether it’s photography, music, fitness, or gaming, Misfits helps users discover meaningful face-to-face interactions through club-led meetups. The platform facilitates seamless collaboration between club members, organizers, and local venues to build thriving micro-communities across Indian cities.

Impressive Growth in Just Two Years

In less than two years, Misfits has built strong traction. The platform currently hosts more than 20,000 active members across 40+ hobby clubs, with over 3,000 offline events organized in the Delhi NCR region alone. This organic growth speaks volumes about the rising demand for real-world connection and community-driven experiences.

How Misfits Plans to Use the Rs 5 Crore Seed Funding

Misfits will use the newly raised capital to enhance its mobile-first platform making it easier for users to discover, join, and manage communities through their smartphones. The development roadmap includes:

• Optimizing app features to improve user experience and engagement.
• Expanding operations beyond Gurugram into other regions of Delhi NCR.
• Scaling up infrastructure to accommodate a growing user base.

This funding also gives Misfits the runway to experiment with local partnerships, venue integration, and club monetization models—a crucial step toward achieving sustainable growth.

What the Investors Are Saying

Rishabh Katiyar, Principal at Info Edge Ventures, emphasized the platform’s strong Net Promoter Score (NPS) and its organic growth as key indicators of long-term viability. He highlighted Misfits’ ability to scale rapidly and efficiently without heavy capital burn.

Meanwhile, Vaibhav Domkundwar, CEO of Better Capital, described Misfits as the “Airbnb of Human Connections,” applauding the founders for solving a fundamental social problem with a scalable, tech-driven solution.

Why This Matters: The Rise of Offline-First Startups in India

Misfits is part of a larger movement where Indian startups are exploring offline-first business models. As digital fatigue sets in post-pandemic, urban consumers are increasingly seeking physical spaces for meaningful interactions. Startups like Misfits are perfectly positioned to tap into this behavioral shift by blending technology with real-world engagement.

The startup also aligns with emerging trends in community commerce, social wellness, and local creator economies, making it an exciting player in the broader consumer-tech landscape.

Conclusion

Misfits’ Rs 5 crore seed funding is a testament to the platform’s innovative approach to community building and its alignment with contemporary social needs. As the startup embarks on its next phase of growth, focusing on technological enhancements and geographic expansion, it stands poised to redefine how individuals connect over shared interests in the offline realm. With a clear mission, strong user engagement, and fresh funding, Misfits is well on its way to becoming India’s go-to platform for hobby-based offline communities. 

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