introNetworks: The Private Community Social Networking Platform
introNetworks is a technology company based in Santa Barbara, California, United States, that specializes in developing and deploying private online community platforms. Founded in 2003, the company's core mission is to help organizations?including associations, large global enterprises, events, and membership groups?create digital environments where their members can find, connect with, and build meaningful relationships with specific individuals, knowledge, and resources that are most relevant to their needs.
The concept for introNetworks originated at the invitation-only TED Conference in 2003, where the founders sought to create a better way for attendees to connect with one another beyond casual conversation. The initial success of this custom-designed network, which facilitated thousands of meaningful connections based on shared professional and personal interests, led to the formation of the company. Unlike consumer social media platforms that focus on broad, casual connections, introNetworks provides a more secure, curated, and purpose-driven environment for professional and special-interest networking. The company?s focus is on delivering a solution that helps organizations transform communication and accelerate business potential through effective community building.
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Products and Services
introNetworks offers a suite of products and services centered around its patented connection technology, designed to be deployed for both internal and external communities.
The Platform: Standalone Private Communities
The flagship product is its customizable, standalone Platform for creating a private online community. This software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution allows businesses to configure, launch, and manage a community targeted to their specific issues and objectives. The system is designed to facilitate high-value connections within a controlled environment. Key features and capabilities of the platform include:
- Patented Visual Matching Engine: This is the core intellectual property and technology of the introNetworks system. It uses a sophisticated, profile-driven approach to connect members based on a multitude of criteria that go deeper than typical professional networks. Profiles capture not only a member's interests, skills, and experiences but also their values and passions. The engine uses this data to instantly create an intuitive, compelling visual representation of relationship potential, providing ideal matches between members.
- Customized User Profiles: Profiles are highly detailed and often incorporate unique fields like "Talk to Me About," a feature pioneered by introNetworks to allow members to list specific topics they are most passionate about, which facilitates the immediate start of relevant conversations. This feature is often integrated into physical assets, such as event badges, for seamless networking in both digital and physical spaces.
- Multidimensional Search and Relationship Visualization: Members can easily search for individuals based on a multitude of criteria, and the system can visually map out potential relationships and connections within the network, moving beyond simple directory listings to show why two people should connect.
- Secure Hosting and Branding: The platform offers secure hosting and is fully customized with the client's branding and aesthetic, ensuring the community feels like a native, trusted extension of the client's organization or event.
- Community Management and Collaboration Tools: The platform is equipped with the tools necessary for an organization to grow, manage, and sustain the community over time, supporting internal communication, knowledge sharing, collaboration, and structured networking for both virtual and in-person events.
The Components: OEM Integration
For organizations that already have existing applications or websites but want to leverage introNetworks? unique matching capabilities, the company offers The Components. This service provides a component version of their patented software?specifically the Visual Matching Engine?as an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) plugin or licensed component. This allows companies to seamlessly integrate the powerful relationship visualization and intelligent matching technology into their current digital ecosystem (such as a customer relationship management system or existing website), offering enhanced functionality without requiring the deployment of a new, standalone network.
The Services: Strategic Consulting
In addition to its technology products, introNetworks provides a range of Services to ensure the successful deployment and sustained success of a client's online community. Over time, the company?s focus has shifted to a more consultative approach, prioritizing the client's business outcomes.
- Strategic Consulting: This involves providing strategic insight on how to best utilize the network to accelerate and expand business potential, improve internal or external communications, and enhance productivity. The consulting helps clients map their organizational goals to the community's design and features.
- Training and Support: They offer comprehensive training to clients to ensure they can effectively manage and maximize the value of their community platform and engage their members.
- Speaking and Leadership Services: The company's leadership, including co-founders Mark Sylvester and Kymberlee Weil, often provide speaking and workshop services, leveraging their deep expertise in technology, community building, and networking strategy to educate clients and the public.
Client and Industry Focus
The effectiveness of introNetworks' platform has led to its adoption by a diverse and high-profile client base since its inception. They have successfully deployed hundreds of customized networks for clients across various sectors, demonstrating the technology's versatility. Notable clients include: Adobe, HP, Intel, Xerox, Cisco, Autodesk, NASA, The US Department of Education, Harvard, The Wharton School, Dow Jones, Fortune, McCann WorldGroup, Aramex, United Way, and British Airways. These organizations utilize introNetworks to solve specific problems related to large-scale events, alumni relations, membership engagement, employee collaboration, and innovation management. The result is a dedicated network for their community that is not subject to the noise or privacy concerns of public social media.
