The Journey of Orbi – Connecting Students Across the Nordics

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From Vision to Reality: The Birth of Orbi

Orbi started as a simple idea with a big mission: to transform how students connect, engage, and thrive on campus. Today, it’s a thriving platform serving students across the Nordic countries, empowering them to discover events, explore career opportunities, and build communities—all through a single, intuitive app.

Our journey began when our CEO, David Maars, noticed a significant shift in the way students interacted online. As traditional social media platforms lost their appeal among younger users, event organizers struggled to reach their audience effectively. Recognizing this gap, David envisioned a platform that would bring all campus events together in one place, making it easier for students to connect with their university life.

This vision led to the creation of Orbi, a mobile app that not only centralizes campus events but also simplifies event planning for organizers and enhances the student experience. Over time, Orbi evolved to include a comprehensive career tool, giving students the ability to explore various career paths and connect with potential employers directly from the app.

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Adapting to a Changing Digital Landscape

Orbi is more than just an app—it’s a response to the evolving digital habits of students. In an era where traditional social media no longer serves the needs of event organizers, Orbi steps in as a pioneering solution. Our platform is designed to meet the dynamic nature of today’s student life, continually adapting to stay relevant in a fast-paced digital world.

As we continue to grow and expand internationally, our commitment to innovation and adaptability remains at the core of everything we do. We’re not just building an app; we’re creating a digital ecosystem that enhances the entire student experience—from social connections to career opportunities.

Start

2020 June

Orbi is Born

Orbi emerged from a split with founding colleagues at Bonsai Campus, becoming an independent entity. This marked the beginning of Orbi's journey as a campus platform for ticket sales and event management. With a robust event management system and a companion app, Orbi was designed to bring everything students need into one central platform. Its foundation was laid at Chalmers University, where the vision for a comprehensive student solution began to take shape.

 

October 2020

First Investment Secured

Orbi secures its first funding of 2.5 million SEK, a key milestone in its early growth.

October 2020

Q4 2021

Launch of Orbi Career

The first version of Orbi Career is launched, allowing students to explore and evaluate potential employers.

Q1 2022

Orbi Career Grows

Orbi Career expands with job listings, providing students with more opportunities to connect with employers.

Q1 2022

Q1 2022

50,000+ Students

Orbi surpasses 50,000 students on the platform.

March 2022

New Office

Orbi moves from a coworking space to its first dedicated office.

March 2022

Q4 2022

30 Paying Companies

Orbi reaches a milestone of 30 paying companies using the platform.

Q4 2022

Establishing Company Culture

During the holiday season of 2022, Orbi formalizes its core principles and culture, setting the foundation for its future growth.

Q4 2022

Q2 2023

100,000+ Students

Orbi’s student community grows to over 100,000 users.

Summer 2023

Launch of Groups/Membership

Orbi introduces the Groups/Membership feature, further enhancing student engagement and collaboration.

Summer 2023

Q4 2023

100+ Paying Companies

Orbi achieves 100+ paying companies onboarded to the platform.

Q4 2023

Framework for Scalable Innovation

Orbi defines and launches its own framework for scalable innovation and product development, driving future advancements.

Q4 2023

Q4 2023

150,000+ Students

The student base continues to grow, with over 150,000 students now engaging with Orbi.

Q4 2023

Orbi Insights

Orbi introduces Orbi Insights, a tool to track and measure career development and opportunities for students.

Q4 2023

Q1 2024

Orbi Connect Launch

Orbi Connect is launched, providing companies with measurable insights and bridging the gap between online and offline interactions. It offers a new way for employers to connect with talent directly from campuses.

Q2 2024

200+ Paying Companies

Orbi surpasses 200+ paying companies, continuing its growth trajectory.

Q2 2024

Q2 2024

Launch of Student Discounts

Orbi introduces student discounts, becoming a leading platform in the Nordics for distributing exclusive offers to students.

Q2 2024

Expansion to Finland

Orbi launches in Finland, marking a significant milestone in its expansion strategy.

Q2 2024

Q3 2024

300+ Paying Companies

Orbi continues to scale, reaching over 300+ paying companies by Q3 2024.

Now

The Orbi Way: Our Core Values

At Orbi, our values guide our journey and shape our culture. These values aren’t just words on a page—they’re the principles we live by every day.

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Accountable

We take ownership of our actions and are committed to delivering on our promises to students, partners, and each other.

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Rebellious 

We challenge the status quo, pushing boundaries to find new, innovative solutions that better serve our community.

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Explorers

Curiosity drives us. We’re constantly seeking out new ideas and better ways to connect students with what matters most.

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Efficient

We strive for simplicity and efficiency, finding ways to streamline processes and maximize productivity in everything we do.

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Equal

Inclusivity is at the heart of Orbi. We believe in respecting diverse perspectives and fostering an environment where everyone’s voice is heard and valued.

Meet the Orbi Team

Behind Orbi is a passionate team of innovators, dreamers, and doers, all dedicated to making a positive impact on the student experience. We’re a diverse group united by a shared mission: to create a platform that truly enriches student life. Whether it’s developing new features, supporting users, or driving our expansion into new regions, every member of the Orbi team plays a vital role in our journey.

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Join Us on Our Journey

Orbi is more than just a platform; it’s a community. As we continue to evolve, we’re excited to partner with students, educational institutions, and businesses to build a thriving ecosystem that empowers students to succeed. Whether you’re a student looking to connect with your campus, an educator seeking to engage your students, or a business interested in reaching tomorrow’s talent, there’s a place for you in the Orbi community.

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