Landing Page

Inspiration

Starting university can be overwhelming, especially for first-year students who are trying to step out of their comfort zones and connect with new people. We wanted to create a safe and approachable space where students can meet others, build connections, and test compatibility in a low-risk, fun environment.

What it does

Our platform is a WebRTC-based video chat system that enables real-time, client-to-client video connections with a random matchmaking feature. To ensure a safe and respectful user experience, we implemented a secure login system that holds users accountable for inappropriate actions, fostering a safe space for students to interact.

How we built it

The app was built using WebRTC for video communication, Firebase for server hosting and user authentication, and deployed seamlessly using Vercel for efficient scalability. This combination of tools allowed us to focus on creating a reliable and user-friendly platform.

Challenges we faced

Designing a platform that ensured both ease of use and safety posed some challenges, especially in integrating real-time video capabilities with accountability measures. Balancing performance and scalability during deployment also required iterative testing and optimization.

Accomplishments we’re proud of

We are proud of creating a functional and secure platform that encourages meaningful interactions between students. The seamless integration of WebRTC, Firebase, and Vercel into a polished product is a testament to our team's collaboration and dedication.

What we learned

This project taught us valuable lessons in implementing WebRTC for real-time communication, deploying scalable applications with Vercel, and effectively utilizing Firebase for authentication and hosting. It also reinforced the importance of teamwork and adaptability in overcoming technical and design hurdles.

What’s next for our platform

In the future, we plan to enhance user engagement by adding features like interest-based matchmaking, virtual icebreaker activities, and a reporting system to further ensure user safety. We also aim to optimize mobile accessibility and explore incorporating gamified elements to make the platform even more engaging for students. By collaborating with UBC and enabling login through UBC CWL, we can ensure security for the students who utilize our app.

Built With

Submitted to

nwHacks 2025

Created by

I pmed the overall web experience. I worked on the firebase data fetching and and contributed to various front end pages (as flex).

Jordan Lo
I worked on setting up authentication for the app and styling out the front end!

Owen Hochwald
Helped with setting up the Firebase database and authentication. Ensured the functionality of the WebRTC client-to-client connections. Contributed to the clean UI of the website.

Si Moon Song
Thomas Harrison