How Meetup.com Was Acquired for $1,500

In the early 2000s, when meeting strangers from the internet was still considered risky, Matt Meeker and his co-founder Scott Heiferman were building a platform to make real-world connections safe and socially acceptable. What they needed was the perfect domain name—and they got it for just $1,500.

The Origins: From Freaks & Geeks to Mainstream

Founded in June 2002, Meetup was a novel concept. Initially, the platform attracted niche communities—Linux enthusiasts, Python coders, and various special interest groups—all meeting up in person after connecting online. While the platform thrived in these communities, it wasn't until presidential candidate Howard Dean endorsed it that Meetup gained mainstream legitimacy.

Dean's campaign was low on funds but rich in grassroots enthusiasm. He ended every speech with: "Go to your local Howard Dean meetup!" This presidential endorsement catapulted Meetup into the national spotlight. As Matt explained, "When a presidential candidate says it's safe to use, all of a sudden, it's safe to use for everything."

The $1,500 Domain Acquisition

When Meetup was first conceived, the working name was "Cloud," as co-founder Scott Heiferman owned cloud.com. But as the product evolved, "Meetup" became the obvious choice—perfectly encapsulating the platform's essence.

The domain was originally tied up with a company in Vancouver, British Columbia. When Matt and his team reached out, they were bounced around between the company and a 16-year-old kid who had previously owned the domain but had sold his business.

After some colorful back-and-forth conversations, they finally convinced the company that they still owned the domain. Here's the unexpected twist: Meetup's team initially offered $2,500 for the domain, but the company came back with a counteroffer of $1,500.

Yes—the seller actually negotiated the price down to $1,500 for what would become the cornerstone of a social revolution.

"The domain was really, really important, and it was the right one for us," Matt reflected years later. In 2002, when online trust was still being built, Meetup.com provided the credibility needed to grow the platform from niche communities to mainstream adoption.

What started as a platform for "freaks and geeks" evolved into a mainstream tool that helped shape the way we connect online and offline. And it all began with a little bit of serendipity, a lot of vision, and a $1,500 domain name that the seller actually discounted.