Loop is a privacy-first connection app that replaces the chaos of messaging with structured check-ins, time-zone aware nudges, and private Circles for families, friends, and university cohorts.
Students have WhatsApp, iMessage, and dozens of other apps. But messaging is reactive — connection depends on someone starting a conversation at exactly the right time, which across 5, 6, or 10 time zones, rarely happens.
A privacy-first connection routine for international students, their families, and their university circles.
Signal how you're doing with a single tap — OK, Busy, Free Later, or Need Chat. Add a note, photo, or voice message if you want. Captures emotional state without requiring a paragraph.
Loop shows each contact's local time and calculates overlap windows — the hours when both people are awake and available. It nudges you to connect when the moment is right.
All interactions happen within Circles — small, private groups with simple rules. Family back home, close friends, MSc Finance cohort. Contained, calm, and contextual.
No existing product combines proactive check-ins, real relationships, cross-timezone intelligence, university data, and habit architecture.
| Feature | Loop | Togetherall | Nod | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Relationships | ✓ Existing (Real) | Anonymous | New (Discovery) | Existing |
| Nature | ✓ Proactive | Reactive | Proactive | Reactive |
| Time-Zone Sync | ✓ Core Feature | No | No | Partial |
| University Data | ✓ Anonymised | Limited | No | None |
| Habit Architecture | ✓ Built-in Routine | On-demand | Challenges | None |
A proactive signal layer that bridges the gap to the 90% of students who never walk through a counselling door.
Authentication via university email ensures trusted Circles and a safe, spam-free environment for students.
Anonymised, aggregated dashboards let wellbeing teams spot disengagement patterns before a crisis happens.
Low-pressure prompts for coffee, study sessions, and campus walks that feel safer than large social events.
The digital mental health space is worth over $24 billion — but almost none of it focuses on structured connection for mobile students.
Global Digital Mental Health Market, targeting 7M internationally mobile students
International students in top 5 English-speaking destinations. UK potential: ~£750K ARR
Manchester's international student base. Year 1 goal: 5,000+ total users via organic growth
Wellbeing dashboards and cohort analytics. Less than the cost of one full-time counsellor — but covers the entire international student population.
Paid by family members back home for enhanced video check-ins, priority time-zone scheduling, and extended Circle sizes.
Digital engagement layer for orientation, halls of residence, and peer-mentoring events from existing university budgets.
A four-week pilot with 50–100 international students to validate habit formation and emotional responsiveness.
Manchester international students
Engagement + wellbeing impact
5 Russell Group universities
"I sat in my room at 11pm wanting to call home — and realised it was 4am in Bangladesh. That's when I knew messaging wasn't enough."
We're seeking a university pilot partnership — backed by wellbeing teams, student services, and international offices.