Snap Buys Saturn, a Social Calendar App for Students
▼ Summary
– Snap acquired Saturn, a calendar app for students, but financial terms were not disclosed, and Saturn will remain a standalone app.
– Nearly all of Saturn’s team (around 30 employees) will join Snap as part of the acquisition.
– Snap plans to integrate Saturn’s calendaring expertise into Snapchat in innovative ways, though specifics were not shared.
– Saturn, founded in 2018, focuses on social scheduling for students, allowing them to share and view classmates’ schedules in real time.
– Saturn is used in 80% of U.S. high schools and raised $44 million in 2021 from investors like General Catalyst and Insight Partners.
Snap has expanded its portfolio with the acquisition of Saturn, a popular social calendar app designed specifically for students. The deal, confirmed by Snap on Friday, brings Saturn’s innovative scheduling platform under the Snapchat umbrella while allowing it to remain a standalone application. While financial details remain undisclosed, the move signals Snap’s continued interest in enhancing social connectivity through practical tools.
Nearly 30 full-time employees from Saturn’s team will transition to Snap, integrating their expertise into the company’s broader vision. Though specifics about future integration plans are scarce, Snap hinted at incorporating Saturn’s unique calendaring features into Snapchat in creative ways. This acquisition aligns with Snap’s strategy of fostering real-world connections through digital platforms.
Launched in 2018, Saturn revolutionized student scheduling by adding a social layer to traditional calendar apps. High school and college users can seamlessly share their class schedules, extracurricular activities, and events with friends, eliminating the need for manual coordination. The app’s intuitive design lets students see which classes their peers are attending, making it easier to plan study sessions or social outings.
Beyond academics, Saturn supports shared schedules for sports practices, club meetings, and other commitments, helping students stay organized while maintaining social engagement. Snap highlighted that the app already boasts widespread adoption, with 80% of U.S. high schools integrated into its system. This broad reach underscores Saturn’s success in transforming mundane scheduling into an interactive experience.
Prior to the acquisition, Saturn secured $44 million in funding from prominent investors, including General Catalyst, Insight Partners, and Coatue. High-profile backers like Jeff Bezos’ Bezos Expeditions and Sound Ventures, co-founded by Ashton Kutcher, further validated the app’s potential. With Snap’s resources and global reach, Saturn’s capabilities could expand significantly, offering students even more ways to streamline their academic and social lives.
Image Credits: Saturn
(Source: TechCrunch)
