What's Happening?
At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, Jason Citron, founder of Discord, and Tade Oyerinde, founder of Campuswire, are set to discuss the importance of community-first design in building lasting companies. Discord, which began on the Startup Battlefield stage in 2013, has grown into a global platform with millions of users, emphasizing connection-first platforms. Citron's experience with Discord and OpenFeint highlights the significance of fostering community engagement. Oyerinde, recognized by Forbes for his edtech initiatives, is transforming higher education by prioritizing community-driven approaches. The session aims to provide insights into creating loyalty and scaling businesses intentionally in a competitive market.
Why It's Important?
The focus on community-driven business models underscores a shift in how companies approach growth and user engagement. By prioritizing community, businesses like Discord and Campuswire can foster loyalty and create sustainable growth. This approach is particularly relevant in the tech industry, where user retention and engagement are critical. The insights shared by Citron and Oyerinde could influence other startups and established companies to adopt similar strategies, potentially reshaping industry standards. As businesses increasingly recognize the value of community, this trend could lead to more innovative and user-centric products and services.
