Contap Social

High-Level Overview

Contap Social is a Philadelphia-based technology company that develops a mobile networking app designed to replace physical business cards by enabling users to digitally share customized contact information, social profiles, and documents.[1][2][4] Targeting socially active urban millennials, it operates on a freemium model with free basic access and premium features for $9.99/month, including one-tap CRM integrations for tools like Bullhorn and note-taking capabilities.[1] The app serves professionals at events, recruiters, and networking scenarios, solving the inefficiency of traditional contact swapping by allowing selective data sharing and seamless CRM syncing, with early growth evidenced by $1.15 million in total seed funding and a team expanding to 21 employees.[1][2]

Origin Story

Founded in 2014 by Jason Craparo, a 34-year-old entrepreneur at the time, Contap Social emerged from the need for a digital alternative to business card exchanges, particularly suited for millennial networking at events like Center City Sips in Philadelphia.[1] Headquartered in Philly with a distributed team across Philadelphia, New York, and Chicago, the company quickly gained traction, closing an $850,000 second seed round led by Provident Capital Partners, bringing total funding to $1.15 million from individual investors.[1][3] Early pivots included partnerships for thousands of annual events and plans to integrate with 80 CRMs by year-end, marking key moments in scaling beyond basic contact sharing.[1]

Core Differentiators

• Customizable Sharing: Users select exactly what to share—email, social media, or file downloads—eliminating the overload of traditional business cards.[1][3][4]
• Freemium CRM Integration: Premium tier offers one-tap syncing to 80+ CRMs (e.g., Bullhorn for recruiters), note-taking, and contact introductions, boosting efficiency for sales and recruiting pros.[1]
• Event-Optimized Networking: Tailored for high-volume social settings like urban millennial events, with seamless mobile swapping of contacts, social platforms, and documents.[1][4]
• Cross-Platform Accessibility: Free core app appeals to broad demographics, while premium unlocks pro tools, supported by a lean team of 21.[1][2]

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Contap Social rides the wave of digital-first networking in a post-pandemic world, where millennials and Gen Z prioritize frictionless, privacy-controlled contact sharing amid rising CRM adoption in sales and recruiting.[1] Its 2014 timing capitalized on smartphone ubiquity and the decline of physical cards, aligning with market forces like event tech growth and integrations with tools like Wufoo for form-to-CRM workflows.[1][4] By enabling selective data exchange, it influences the ecosystem toward privacy-centric apps, reducing spam while empowering recruiters and event organizers in competitive urban markets.[1][3]

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Contap Social's CRM expansions and event partnerships position it for sustained growth in professional networking, potentially expanding to enterprise tools or AI-enhanced matching amid rising demand for hybrid work connections. Trends like data privacy regulations and mobile-first B2B tools will shape its path, evolving its influence from millennial disruptor to essential CRM companion—redefining how professionals "collect" relationships in a digital era.[1]