‘Popple’ Named One of Poets & Quants’ Most Disruptive Undergraduate Business School Startups of 2024
January 10, 2025

Congratulations to Popple, founded by BU students Prianna Sharan (CAS’25) and Remi Chester (Questrom’25), on being named one of Poets & Quants’ Most Disruptive Undergraduate Business School Startups of 2024! Popple is transforming the way college students forge meaningful connections. Using AI, the app matches users with similar interests to attend events together, from club meetings to concerts and museum visits. Its goal is simple yet impactful: to foster real-world connections in a safe, supportive environment where students can explore their passions without fear of going alone.
Since its launch, over 2,500 BU students have embraced Popple, collectively spending 10,000 hours connecting with their peers over the past five months. Users frequently log in to organize activities like karaoke sessions, lunch meetups, and volunteer opportunities, creating lasting friendships and strengthening their campus community.
Popple’s impact extends beyond BU. In 2024, it stood out among 20,000 student startups to reach the global summits of the Hult Prize, often called “the Nobel Prize for Students.” While pitching in Lisbon, the app garnered international acclaim, with users across Europe sharing how Popple alleviated loneliness and inspired them to pursue their interests.
A Data-Driven Approach to Innovation
The app’s success is rooted in extensive research and iteration. Prianna and Remi conducted 300 student interviews to refine the platform, launching multiple beta versions to perfect user features and flows. This rigorous testing process culminated in Popple’s release on the App Store.
Remi credits the Core program at Questrom for shaping their entrepreneurial approach. The curriculum, which integrates marketing, data analytics, finance, and operations, provided a crash course in venture building. This comprehensive training emphasized data-driven decisions, ensuring strategic marketing and product development.
Mentorship and Community Support
Key to their journey has been the mentorship of Professor Ian Mashiter, master lecturer and director of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship major at Questrom. From crafting initial pitches to scaling the app, his guidance and network have been instrumental. Professor Mashiter also connected the founders with local entrepreneurs and invited them to share their experiences in his classes.
In turn, Prianna and Remi are active contributors to the entrepreneurial ecosystem. They speak frequently at conferences like IDEAcon, the largest intercollegiate entrepreneurship event, and local panels on innovation and marketing. Their efforts highlight their commitment to supporting and inspiring fellow student entrepreneurs.
A Vision for National Expansion
Looking ahead, Prianna and Remi aim to expand Popple to universities nationwide. With plans to raise a seed round next year, their strategy focuses on launching in New York and other major college towns. By recruiting brand ambassadors and growing their user base, they project $1.7 million in revenue and nearly 300,000 users by 2026.
Beyond growth metrics, their mission remains clear: to combat loneliness among college students by providing a platform for meaningful, shared experiences. Popple is more than an app—it’s a movement to foster genuine human connections in an increasingly digital world.