Michael Chmielewski’s journey with Brane [Video]

Feeling lonely despite being surrounded by people? You’re not alone. A new Australian app called Brane is tackling social isolation by creating a space for instant connections based on shared interests.

This innovative solution stemmed from the personal experience of Michael Chmielewski, who in 2012 arrived in Melbourne as a student feeling isolated despite being around people. His love for motorbikes and the difficulty finding fellow riders for spontaneous adventures on social media sparked the idea for Brane. 

“It was really out of frustration that there wasn’t an easy way to find people near me to ride motorbikes with or chat to about Star Wars,” Mike recalled. “I realised it was easier to find someone to go on a date with than it was to chat or meet …