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Rumor App: A Hybrid of Partiful, Raya, and VIP-Event Culture
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Published in Media and Entertainment on Tuesday, November 25th 2025 at 12:29 GMT by Forbes- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
The Rumor App: A Hybrid of Partiful, Raya, and VIP-Event Culture
(Summary of Forbes article by Nadja Sayej, 25 Nov 2025)
In an era where the social‑media landscape is becoming increasingly saturated with niche communities, a new entrant is attempting to carve out its own unique space. The Rumor App—released earlier this year—has been described by Forbes as “like Partiful meets Raya, but for VIP events.” The article explores how the platform leverages the best of social‑networking, exclusivity, and event‑centric engagement to deliver a tailored experience for a discerning, high‑profile audience.
1. The Concept Behind The Rumor App
The Rumor App is built on a simple premise: people want to know who will be at the next exclusive gathering, but they also want to keep that knowledge within a vetted circle. The founders—ex‑employees of both Partiful (a popular event‑finding app for music festivals and concerts) and Raya (a secretive, invitation‑only networking site for creatives and influencers)—brought together the community‑driven aspects of Partiful with the curated, privacy‑focused ethos of Raya. According to the Forbes piece, the platform uses a “dual‑layer verification system” that requires both a QR‑code invitation to an event and a personal recommendation from a current member.
2. Core Features and User Experience
| Feature | Description | How It Differs from Existing Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Event Discovery | A clean, map‑based interface where events appear in the user’s proximity. | Partiful offers a similar UI, but Rumor App adds a “VIP status” overlay that shows who else is attending. |
| Member Profiles | Profiles display a user’s past event attendance, shared interests, and a “Reputation Score” (derived from peer reviews). | Raya users can see each other’s “Raya Rating,” but it’s not publicly visible. Rumor App’s score is visible but anonymized, keeping privacy intact. |
| Secure Messaging | End‑to‑end encryption, with the added twist that messages can be “muted” or “archived” for future reference. | Unlike mainstream messaging, the app automatically tags communications with event codes, making it easier to search past interactions. |
| Private Groups | Users can create closed groups for specific industries (e.g., fashion, tech, entertainment). | This feature is unique because groups can be “cross‑linked” with events, so the right people are automatically added. |
| Event Concierge | A built‑in concierge service that recommends nearby restaurants, transport, and pre‑event meetups. | This adds tangible value beyond the typical “check‑in” function of apps like Eventbrite. |
The Forbes article notes that the interface is deliberately minimalistic, with heavy emphasis on privacy. Users can toggle a “discreet mode” that hides their event list from non‑members and limits search visibility.
3. The VIP‑Event Ecosystem
The Rumor App’s main draw is its focus on “VIP events”—high‑profile parties, product launches, private concerts, and invitation‑only industry gatherings. By collating a curated list of events and letting users see who else is attending, the app solves a core pain point: How do you make meaningful connections when you’re a gate‑keeper? The article highlights a partnership with several prominent event promoters, who now use the app to distribute QR‑code invites, ensuring a controlled guest list.
Rumor App’s “Event Concierge” is especially useful for events that span multiple locations (e.g., a music festival with satellite parties). By providing real‑time routing and “stay‑connected” notifications, the app reduces the friction that usually deters guests from networking.
4. Business Model & Monetization
The article describes a two‑tier subscription system:
- Free Tier – Users can join the app, view a limited number of events, and participate in a small number of groups. They are also subject to a capped number of “event invites” per month.
- Premium Tier (VIP Pass) – For $49.99/month, users receive unlimited event invitations, a higher Reputation Score visibility, priority support, and the ability to create their own events.
The founders are reportedly negotiating deals with a few venture capital firms, citing a projected user‑growth rate of 35 % month‑over‑month within the first year. The article cites early adoption data from the platform’s beta phase: 12,000 users signed up in the first two weeks, and 7,500 of those engaged in at least one event.
5. Privacy & Security Considerations
Because the platform deals with high‑profile individuals, privacy is paramount. The article notes that the Rumor App implements a “zero‑knowledge” approach to data storage—no personal data is stored in a manner that can be accessed by the company itself. Instead, cryptographic hashes are used for all communications and event registrations. The “Reputation Score” is anonymized, so that even if a user’s profile is compromised, no direct link to their real identity is revealed.
The platform also employs a “two‑factor verification” for new members. The first factor is a one‑time QR‑code issued by an existing member. The second factor requires a short video introduction that is verified by a small panel of moderators. This process ensures that only genuine, verified people gain access, thereby preserving the “VIP” nature of the community.
6. Market Positioning & Competitor Landscape
The Forbes article places Rumor App at the intersection of several growing markets:
- Event‑based networking (e.g., Eventbrite, Meetup)
- Professional networking (LinkedIn, industry forums)
- Social exclusivity (Raya, Clubhouse)
While each of these platforms has a strong foothold, the Rumor App’s unique proposition lies in combining event discovery with a vetted social graph, all under a privacy‑first model. By targeting “VIP events,” the app bypasses the oversaturation of general social media platforms and focuses on high‑value interactions that are typically under-served.
7. Future Outlook & Potential Challenges
The article concludes with a forward‑looking perspective: the Rumor App could become a crucial tool for marketers, PR teams, and event planners who need to gauge attendee engagement and networking patterns. With its real‑time analytics dashboard, the platform offers a data‑driven approach to event planning—a feature that was absent in competitors.
However, challenges remain. Scaling the verification process could be difficult; the founders must strike a balance between growth and exclusivity. Moreover, privacy concerns could lead to regulatory scrutiny, especially in jurisdictions that impose strict data‑protection laws. Finally, the app must maintain its brand of exclusivity while not alienating potential users who might feel “too niche.”
8. Takeaway
The Rumor App, as portrayed by Forbes, is a fresh entrant that leverages the best parts of Partiful’s event‑finder simplicity and Raya’s invitation‑only intimacy. Its focus on VIP events, robust privacy safeguards, and a two‑tier subscription model position it as a potentially disruptive player in the crowded social‑networking and event‑marketing ecosystems. For those who thrive on high‑profile networking and exclusive experiences, the app offers a new, curated, and secure way to stay connected.
Read the Full Forbes Article at:
[ https://www.forbes.com/sites/nadjasayej/2025/11/25/the-rumor-app-is-like-partiful-meets-raya-version-for-vip-events/ ]