Back in 2024, Promly was selected as a finalist in the NextChallenge “Next Power Platform” competition—a nationwide search for platformsusing media and technology to drive real social change. For a small startupbuilt around mental health and teen connection, landing on that shortlist was abig deal. The competition was sponsored by the McKnight Foundation, anorganization that supports innovative approaches to equity and well-being. Thegoal of the challenge was to highlight platforms creating new pathways forconnection—especially for communities that are underserved, ignored, or justplain tired of being left out of the conversation. Promly fit right in.

What makes Promly different is that it’s not trying to fixteens—it’s trying to listen to them. The platform connects young people withpeers, mental health resources, and real-time tools in a space that actuallymakes sense to them. It’s part social, part supportive, and built from theground up with teen input. The finalist recognition wasn’t just about the tech.It was about the way Promly is rethinking what connection means—and what itcould mean—if we let teens take the lead.

Be sure to check out what Promly’s building at promly.org.

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