Startups Deal with Loneliness by Offering Friendship and Companionship Services | Startups

On Saturday night, a group of strangers gathered at the Cha Bar cafe in New Delhi’s Connaught Place. They included government workers, college students, and corporate professionals. The oldest was in his late 40s, the youngest in his early 20s. It was an unusual mix, but they had one thing in common: They were all lonely in the city.

The meeting was a coping mechanism, allowing them to socialize for a few hours, bond over books and other interests. None of them had family in Delhi.

India, with a population of over 1.4 billion, can