OpenSeat

We Bring People Together.

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Meet new people over a meal.

In a world that moves faster every day, we're bringing back the idea of hospitality around the dining room table. Have a dinner in someones home, and make new friends!

All facilitated through our platform.

We've created a trusted platform that connects hosts and guests over shared meals. Our platform handles event management, payments, ratings, reviews, and more so you can enjoy connecting with others!

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OpenSeat isn't just another platform to "host events"

OpenSeat is a hospitality movement that is challenging our modern lonely culture by facilitating meal-sharing in people's homes.

Our hosts love having people in their spaces to cultivate experiences where strangers become friends, stories are shared, and a sense of belonging is found.

What We Want

We're on a passionate journey to change modern culture, creating a movement that overcomes the fear of the stranger and builds vibrant communities around South Africa and the world, one home-hosted meal at a time.

We envision a future where loneliness is replaced by community, where strangers become friends, and where every person has access to the transformative power of human connection.

OpenSeat will be the catalyst for a cultural shift - from digital isolation to real-world belonging, one gathering at a time.

What Guides Us

Our guiding principles, ideas and values on hospitality are based on the biblical teachings of Jesus, which we want to share with all people. We welcome everyone from all backgrounds, beliefs and cultures to host and attend meals.

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Welcoming All

Hospitality begins with openness to new people and their perspectives. A host welcomes both friend and stranger, knowing that every person has value and a story worth hearing.

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Gift of Presence

Hospitality is more than a meal; it's about being present. This means listening and engaging with those around our table. Every meal can be a place for meaningful connection.

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Host as Servant

The best hosts are humble servants at heart. To host well is to have grace for our guests, to genuinely care for their person and well-being.

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Breaking Bread

Sharing a meal is an outward act of love. Through the breaking of bread we receive more than just food; we're drawn into relationship.

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Radical Inclusion

A host believes in radical inclusion, reaching past their own circles, and welcoming those who are different from themselves.

Who We Are

OpenSeat is headed up by Callum Oberholzer and Dominique Montile, supported by the Black Box Studios team who manage the product.

THE CREATOR COMMUNITY

We also have a few amazing individuals who dedicate their time and expertise to building OpenSeat.

If you're interested in joining our creator community, please email us at [email protected]

Callum Oberholzer
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Callum Oberholzer

Co-founder, CEO

Dominique Montile
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Dominique Montile

Head of Growth

Mike van Heerdan
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Mike van Heerdan

Studio Lead Designer

Saerah Hassan
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Saerah Hassan

Studio UX/UI Designer

Alex Bielovich
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Alex Bielovich

Creator, Animator

Cate Johnstone
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Cate Johnstone

Creator, Content Writer

Jeamine Snyman
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Jeamine Snyman

Creator, Designer

Our Story

From an idea born out of loneliness to a movement connecting strangers around dinner tables.

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The Challenge

The OpenSeat idea was born in South Africa in 2018. Matt Cole was working in Sweden prior, and found it challenging to connect with people and authentically experience the local culture.

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The Idea Forms

He thought to himself that if he could find a spare bedroom to sleep in on an app, perhaps he could find a dinner party with a locals that he could connect with.

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From Idea to Reality

Matt shared his idea with his long-time friend Callum Oberholzer. Through Callum's software studio, Black Box, the idea developed into a solution: the creation of OpenSeat.

Do you share our vision of a connected world?

Do you share our vision of a connected world? If you're ready to join the movement, then sign up to join or host a meal.

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