TEGA CAY, S.C. — When Bryan Kaplan moved to the Charlotte area four years ago, he ran into a problem many transplants know well: making real friends as an adult—especially while working from home. This spring, the Tega Cay resident turned that challenge into a startup. His app, VRV Athletics (pronounced “verve”), launched locally in April and is now open nationwide, helping adults find activity partners and build lasting friendships through sports.
“We talk about finding your ‘2 a.m. friends’—the people you can call when life happens,” Kaplan said in a recent interview with Queen City News. “VRV is about getting out, being active, and turning shared interests into real relationships.”
How VRV Athletics works
- Free to join (18+) on iOS and Android. Users create a profile, choose sports (from pickleball and basketball to golf and jogging), set skill levels, and share location and availability.
- Match by sport and level. The app recommends nearby people with similar interests and experience so a brand-new pickleballer doesn’t end up across the net from a semi-pro—or vice versa.
- “Squads” and Clubs. You can grow a personal squad via swipes or simple “waves,” and join local clubs (community groups) that host events you can RSVP to. Early partners include Mecklenburg County Golf, Charlotte Paddle Battle, and Carolina Fitness Farm, with more communities forming as the app scales.
- Not a dating app. The intent is clear from the start: meet up to play. “The first message can be, ‘Want to play Saturday?’ instead of small talk,” Kaplan said.
Tackling loneliness—with a sports-first approach
Kaplan, a product leader and entrepreneur, says VRV was born from both personal experience and a broader social need. National surveys have flagged rising loneliness—particularly among men—and Kaplan saw sports as a pressure-free common denominator. “Physical health plus social health equals mental health,” he said. “VRV supports both by nudging people off their screens and into real-world activities.”
Early user patterns span ages 18 to mid-50s, with a slight tilt toward 38–45, which Kaplan attributes to the surge in pickleball and a desire among busy professionals to meet people through something active and low-awkward.
Built by a small team—with big goals
VRV began as a bootstrapped side project—“father, husband, entrepreneur, and 9-to-5,” Kaplan joked—but quickly gained traction around greater Charlotte before opening the doors to the rest of the country. For now, the app is focused on growth, not revenue, though premium features (such as private, custom clubs) may come later. Longer-term, Kaplan envisions enterprise tools that help workplaces foster healthy, active social connection among employees.
Why it’s different
- Clear intent: Friendships via shared play, not dating.
- Frictionless meetups: Built-in events and club posts function like a dedicated group text for your sports circle—and their friends.
- Comfort by design: Skill-level filters reduce the intimidation factor, whether you’re a first-time golfer or a former college athlete.
Getting started
VRV Athletics is available now on the Apple App Store and Google Play. Users can suggest features or share feedback at [email protected].
“The mission isn’t to keep you scrolling,” Kaplan said. “It’s to help you show up—so those surface-level acquaintances can become real friends.”
