What Is 222?

How the company works, who attends its gatherings, what kinds of events it runs, where it operates, and whether it is meant for dating.

What is 222?

222 is a New York City-based company that organizes curated IRL social experiences designed to bring groups of strangers together. It operates in 17 active markets.

The company was part of Y Combinator's Winter 2023 batch and was co-launched in late 2021 by Keyan Kazemian, Danial Hashemi, and Arman Roshannai. It started with backyard dinners for friends of friends who had never met, with guest lists built using machine learning and a psychological questionnaire. The founders later expanded the concept by partnering with established venues.

Which cities is 222 available in?

222 lists 17 active markets: New York City, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, San Diego, Atlanta, Montreal, Orange County, Seattle, London, and Toronto. Its footprint has expanded over time. 222 has operated in Los Angeles since January 2023, New York since February 2024, and Toronto since July 2025.

How do I sign up for 222?

Joining 222 begins with a 15-minute personality questionnaire. 222 then places each member at a dinner with a group of six strangers selected for compatibility. After dinner, anywhere from three to 20 of those groups come together at a second, larger venue. The algorithm continues learning from each member's preferences over time. In April 2026, Alexander Saiko, 222's Toronto head of operations, said the system needs roughly five experiences to adjust.

Who will I meet at a 222 event?

222 members range from 21 to 40 years old, with most between 27 and 33. Members tend to be industry professionals, and the majority are new to the city. At dinner, each person is seated with a group of six strangers selected based on compatibility. Afterward, between three and 20 dinner groups gather at a second, larger venue.

What types of events are there on 222?

222 offers both dinner-based experiences and activity-focused outings. A published account from April 2026 described a dinner followed by drinks at a speakeasy, as well as events built around boxing, crafting, and museum visits. Bars, cafes, art galleries, and bowling alleys have also been named as potential partner venues. Local curators can submit and host their own event concepts, with 222 handling ticket sales.

Is 222 for dating?

222 describes its mission as helping adults meet new people rather than operating strictly as a dating service. Members are placed into groups using a personality-based matching algorithm.

In 2022, co-founder Keyan Kazemian said 222 events are always held in public group settings with venue staff present. In April 2026, Toronto head of operations Alexander Saiko described the company's goal as becoming the "default social facilitator" for its users.

Looking for a one-to-one matchmaking experience?

Known is designed for people who want to meet one person at a time rather than join a larger group experience. Known's matchmaker gets to know you through voice, including your values, relationship goals, and the details that matter to you in a partner. Potential matches go through the same process, so each introduction is centered on two people who may be worth meeting.

When you both want to meet, Known takes care of the logistics. It finds a time, books the reservation, and sends you the details so you can focus on the date itself.

Known is currently available in San Francisco and San Diego, with plans to expand nationwide. Download Known to see when your city is launching.

Getting to know someone takes trust. Known puts privacy and safety alongside the introduction. Our privacy policy explains how information is handled, while our community guidelines cover consent, respectful behavior, and confidential reporting.