đ¸ Chaser: The App Thatâs Promoting Safer Nightlife
This social media platform is combatting the use of date-rape drugs in New York City bars and clubs.
Nightlife is almost synonymous with city life, but what happens when many feel unsafe going out? To change this reality, Ioanna and Claire are building Chaser, an app that combats the use of date-rape drugs.Â
đ Fast Facts
Company:Â Chaser
Website:Â N/A
Founded:Â 2021
Stage:Â Pre-seed
Industry:Â Social Media
SDG:Â #5: Gender Equality
Team: Columbia University Students and Co-founders Claire French and Ioanna ZervakiÂ
Traction:Â 2nd place at Columbia Venture Competition Undergraduate Challenge 2022, Columbia Organization of Rising Entrepreneurs LionLaunch Incubator Fall 2021 CohortÂ
đĽ Whatâs the Deal?
Chaser was founded by Columbia University juniors Ioanna Zervaki and Claire French, the idea of which largely came from their fear and frustration after being victims of date rape drugs, which they learned was a surprisingly common experience. And the issue they faced wasnât limited to New Yorkâs nightlife: the recent increase in needle spiking in London is just one example.
Chaser offers a two-fold digital solution to help users stay safer during their nights out. First, Chaser has an anonymous post-incident report system for victims, allowing them to document their experiences properly. Second, Chaser has a map of New York City with pinpoints of various bars and nightclubs and their safety ratings. This allows users to decide where to go to be safe during their nights out based on other usersâ experiences. By offering a solution to the lack of time and location-based date rape drug incidents, the company hopes to combat future occurrences.Â
After placing 2nd at Columbia Venture Competitionâs Undergraduate Challenge in Spring of 2022, Claire and Ioanna are working with different student groups at Columbia such as the schoolâs Planned Parenthood Chapter and their sorority to continue beta testing and hosting promotional events.Â
â¤ď¸ Why We Love It
đ Chaser understands its users.
As victims of date-rape drugs themselves, Ioanna and Claire understand the complicated layers of this problem, and they have also done extensive user interviews and market research to develop a thorough, human-centered perspective. Many of Chaserâs competitors are offering solutions such as being able to test drinks for drugs, but Chaserâs platform is even more preventative by identifying which places are unsafe. Chaser looks to solve the root problems of drugging, providing a more holistic, socially-minded approach.
đĄ A platform that adapts in real-time
Chaser understands that the safety of a bar or club can change over time, and that it is important for users of the app to be knowledgable of incidents as soon as possible. As users will constantly be submitting reviews and reports, Chaser is building a real-time view of the New York City nightlife scene and will constantly be adapting to changing dynamics for their users. This way, Chaser is able to give users the highest situational awareness.
đ¤ Building partnerships with key organizationsÂ
As with most network-based startups, our conviction is that Chaserâs early growth will stem from the relationships it builds with key organizations. Chaser is currently working with Columbiaâs Planned Parenthood Chapter as well as different Greek life chapters to rapidly acquire early users and generate safety ratings.
đ Get Involved
Contact Ioanna (iz2165@columbia.edu) and Claire (cif2110@barnard.edu) to learn more!Â
âMadeline Park (Columbia)