Wygo, a Toronto-based community event platform, has secured nearly $1.6 million in pre-seed funding to expand its mission of helping people connect through real-world experiences.
Founded by CEO Jocelyne Murphy and CTO Christopher Oka, the platform enables hosts to create, promote, and monetise events aimed at bringing communities together offline.
Reimagining Social Life Beyond Screens
Wygo is positioning itself as a new kind of event platform, encouraging users to move away from purely digital interactions and engage in real-world activities. Similar in function to platforms like Eventbrite, it allows organisers to host events, manage attendees, and sell tickets or accept donations.
The startup is targeting a growing demand for in-person experiences, as more people seek meaningful social connections beyond social media.
Murphy emphasised that Wygo is designed to empower a new generation of community builders, creating opportunities for individuals to foster belonging through shared experiences.
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Early Traction And Community Focus
Since launching as a side project in 2023, the startup has already facilitated a range of creative events—from city-wide scavenger hunts to student-led workshops. The platform has sold over 500 tickets for in-person events, demonstrating early traction.
The founders, who recently graduated from the University of Waterloo, are now focusing on scaling the platform full-time.
Wygo aims to become an “economic engine” for independent organisers, supporting individuals who want to build communities and monetise their events.
Backed By Leading Investors
The pre-seed round attracted a strong group of investors, including N49P, StandUp Ventures, Garage Capital, Zero 21 Partners, Backbone Angels, and Good Future.
Notably, Tobi Lütke also participated as an angel investor.
Investors highlighted Murphy’s strong background in community building as a key factor behind their support.
What’s Next
With the new funding, Wygo plans to expand its team by hiring talent across design, engineering, and content creation. The company is focused on enhancing its product and scaling its reach among community organisers.
About Wygo
Wygo is a Canadian startup building a platform for real-world community experiences. It enables organisers to create, manage, and monetise events, with a mission to help people reconnect offline and build meaningful relationships through shared activities.
