Orlando-based StudyDate LLC allows users to swipe right on the perfect study partners, and Austin Drury is co-leading efforts to expand StudyDate to more students.
Drury co-founded the company alongside Shayna Rosen after the pair studied together at the University of Central Florida and aced their class. The company in March kicked off a pilot program with UCF to make the app available to 3,000 hospitality students. Next, StudyDate will pilot with students across the university before expanding nationally.
Drury is one of Orlando Inno's inaugural Inno Under 25 honorees, Central Florida residents who are 25 years old or young and making significant contributions to the region's innovation ecosystem. Here's more:
Briefly explain what your business does: StudyDate is a social-academic platform that connects students with peers and tutors, anytime and anywhere. A simple yet comprehensive mobile application designed for the modern-day student, StudyDate renders matches both at your school and across the nation. Chat with peers, join study groups and engage with qualified tutors entirely subscription free.
What are your firm’s greatest accomplishments of the last 12 months? In spring of this year, StudyDate successfully ran a pilot in partnership with the Rosen College of Hospitality at the University of Central Florida. After successfully demonstrating a need for StudyDate’s platform, we have agreed to terms on a school-wide partnership with UCF, one of the nation's largest universities.
What are your company's goals for 2022? 2022 will be a big year for StudyDate. We will close our Series A financing round, bring on additional team members, and continue to scale on a national level regarding both our user base and university partnerships.
What's the greatest business lesson you learned in the past year? During the Covid-19 pandemic, we have seen remarkable growth and change within higher education and the e-learning industry. We have learned the importance of expecting the unexpected and how crucial it is for a company like StudyDate to adapt quickly in order to take advantage of unanticipated opportunities.
What’s your go-to drink to power you through the work day? Espresso, usually a double or triple
Austin Drury,
co-founder, StudyDate LLC
- Age: 25
- Education: University of Central Florida
- Hobbies: Surfing; spending time at the beach/lake with his dog Samson
- Contact: austin@studydateapp.com
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