Founders don’t need a bigger network. They need the right handful of people: a co-founder, two or three mentors, an advisor and an investor who understands what they’re building. So the best networking app for founders is one that gets you to those people without cold outreach. Kradoz focuses on exactly that. It matches you with professionals by goals and shared interests, and a chat opens only when both of you say yes.
Find your co-founder, mentor or first investor. Set a clear goal, meet people who fit it and chat only when you both agree. Free on Android, with no paid tier.
Full disclosure: Kradoz is our app. So this post explains how founders can use it, where it helps and where it doesn’t, and you can judge for yourself.
Why founders struggle with networking
Most founders hit the same three walls. First, cold outreach is slow, because busy people ignore messages from strangers. Second, events are hit and miss, since you can spend an evening talking to people who aren’t a fit. Third, the people you need most, like a strong co-founder or an experienced mentor, are often the hardest to reach.
As a result, many founders end up with lots of contacts and very few useful conversations.
What makes the best networking app for founders?
In our view, the best networking app for founders does four things well:
- It shows intent. You can see what someone wants before you talk.
- It blocks cold pitches. Nobody’s inbox fills with messages they didn’t ask for.
- It’s specific. You can search for a co-founder, a mentor or an investor, not just “contacts”.
- It respects your budget. Early-stage founders shouldn’t pay to reach people.
Kradoz was designed around those four points. Here’s how it works in practice.
How founders use Kradoz as a networking app
Kradoz is a professional networking app from Kradoz LLC, which started in 2024. It’s for founders, entrepreneurs, mentors, investors and researchers. The app works best when your goal is specific, for example:
- “Looking for a technical co-founder for a climate startup.” Here’s how co-founder matching works.
- “Seeking a mentor who has scaled a marketplace.” See our mentorship and advisory page.
- “Need an advisor with healthcare regulation experience.”
- “Raising a pre-seed round for a fintech app.”
- “Hiring a part-time designer to build our first prototype.”
Because your goal sits on your profile, the people who match with you already know what you want. That saves both sides a lot of time.
How the Kradoz app works
- Build your profile. Add your role, industry, goals, academic level and interests.
- Set your goals. Say what you need right now, in one clear line.
- Swipe through profiles. You see professionals whose goals fit yours and who share your interests.
- Match and chat. When you both swipe right, a chat opens. Until then, nobody can message you.
- Stay in control. You can unmatch or report someone at any time.
You can also link your LinkedIn profile. It’s optional, but we recommend it, because a verified profile makes people more willing to say yes. For more detail, see how Kradoz works.
Why double opt-in suits founders
No cold pitches, in either direction. Investors and mentors aren’t flooded with pitches, so they’re more open when they do say yes. You also avoid chasing people who were never interested.
Better first conversations. Both sides opted in, so the first call feels like a meeting rather than a favor.
It’s free. Matching and messaging cost nothing, and there’s no paid tier, as our pricing page explains. That matters when every dollar goes into the product.
Where it falls short
- Android only, for now. The iPhone version is in development.
- A younger network. Kradoz started in 2024, so some cities and niche industries show fewer matches.
- Not a fundraising platform. There’s no deal room or pitch deck hosting. It helps you meet people, and the rest happens in your own process.
Tips for founders
- Set one goal at a time. A co-founder search and an investor search attract different people.
- Be concrete. Name the role, the industry and the stage.
- Link LinkedIn. It builds trust quickly.
- Reply within a day. Momentum matters for new matches.
- Go deep before you commit. Before choosing a partner, work through these questions to ask a co-founder. Need an engineer? Read our guide to finding a technical co-founder.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best networking app for founders?
It depends on what you need. For meeting co-founders, mentors and investors who opt in, Kradoz is built for exactly that, while LinkedIn is useful for being found. Many founders use both, because the best networking app for founders is the one that leads to real conversations.
Is Kradoz a free networking app for founders?
Yes. Kradoz is free to download on Google Play, and matching and messaging are free too. There’s no paid tier.
Can founders meet investors on Kradoz?
Yes. Investors are one of the groups Kradoz serves, alongside founders, mentors and researchers. Still, a chat only opens when both sides agree, so a clear goal helps. Our list of the best networking apps for investors shows how investors use other apps too.
Is the Kradoz app on iPhone?
Not yet. Kradoz is Android only for now, and an iOS version is in development. Our Safety Center explains how chats stay consent-based on Android today.
The bottom line on the best networking app for founders
No app will build your company for you. However, the best networking app for founders can put you in front of the co-founders, mentors and investors who want to hear from you, without cold outreach. Kradoz is free on Android, and setting up a profile takes about ten minutes.
Download Kradoz free on Google Play, or compare more options in our guide to the best networking apps for Android.
