plowunited.net – Snap has acquired Saturn, a popular calendar app tailored for high school and college students. The terms of the deal remain undisclosed, but nearly 30 of Saturn’s full-time employees will join Snap as part of the acquisition. This move shows Snap’s interest in enhancing its product offerings by integrating more utility-based, social features focused on younger users.
Saturn will continue operating as a standalone service after the acquisition. Snap confirmed to Engadget that while the calendar app will remain separate for now, the acquisition will enable Snap to explore calendar-based features within Snapchat. This suggests Snap plans to leverage Saturn’s technology and user insights to strengthen its platform.
Saturn’s Unique Appeal Among Teens Aligns With Snap’s Audience
Though a calendar app might seem like an unusual acquisition for Snap, there is a strong overlap between the user bases of both companies. According to Snap, approximately 80 percent of US high school students attend schools supported by Saturn. The app is available at more than 17,000 high schools, offering wide coverage across the country.
Snapchat, on the other hand, is used by over half of all US teenagers, making the acquisition a strategic fit. By integrating or collaborating with Saturn’s features, Snap can deepen its engagement with the teen demographic, which remains core to its business success. Both platforms appeal to young users who prioritize social connection and daily organization.
Saturn’s Social and Student-Centric Features Drive Its Popularity
Unlike traditional calendar apps, Saturn is designed with social interaction in mind. The app sports a Snapchat-like interface that lets teens share their schedules with friends easily. This social sharing ability is unique among calendar apps and aligns well with the behavior of younger users who value peer connectivity.
Saturn supports features tailored for high school routines, such as block schedules, rotation calendars, and extracurricular activities. These specialized options help students manage complex and varying daily plans more effectively. Although Saturn includes features for college students, high schoolers adopt the app more widely, reflecting its focused design.
Founders and Investors Back Saturn’s Growth and Vision
Saturn was founded by Dylan Diamond, the CEO, and Max Baron, the COO. The startup has attracted investment from notable figures, including Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, and Jeff Bezos’ venture arm Bezos Expeditions. The company raised a total of $44 million as reported by Forbes in 2021.
This strong backing highlights confidence in Saturn’s vision of blending social networking with practical tools for students. The acquisition by Snap offers an opportunity for the founders and investors to scale the platform within a larger ecosystem and to innovate on how students manage their time and social lives.
Snap’s Strategy to Integrate Calendar Functionality Into Snapchat
While Snap hasn’t revealed specific plans for Saturn’s technology, it’s clear the calendar app can enhance Snapchat’s utility. Integrating calendar features could allow Snapchat users to organize events, manage schedules, and coordinate with friends more easily within the app’s social environment.
This move could differentiate Snapchat from other social media platforms by embedding practical scheduling tools into its communication features. By combining social sharing with time management, Snap aims to create a more immersive experience that aligns with the daily lives of its young users. The Saturn acquisition positions Snap to innovate at the intersection of social interaction and productivity.
