Offline Experience Platform Cumen Secures Series A+ Funding

In a market increasingly dominated by digital interactions, offline community builder Cumen has successfully closed a Series A+ funding round. The investment, led by a Hong Kong-based family fund with a focus on consumer and lifestyle ventures, will fuel the expansion of Cumen's brand presence, enhance its network of activity organizers, and accelerate the development of its community ecosystem and engagement mechanics. This latest capital infusion follows strategic investment from Keep in 2023, underscoring growing confidence in the demand for real-world social experiences.

Founded in 2022, Cumen aims to redefine how individuals connect and engage in physical spaces, countering the trend of digital saturation. The company's core philosophy, championed by founder Xiang Weng, posits that while AI can optimize efficiency, it cannot replicate the depth of human experience and connection found offline. Weng, drawing from his extensive internet product background, believes that genuine human interaction remains a vital, albeit increasingly scarce, commodity.

Cumen operates not merely as a platform for event sign-ups, but as a facilitator of "play production." It empowers users to become active creators of experiences, moving beyond passive consumption. The model encourages both participants and organizers, termed 'principals,' to foster deeper engagement than typical one-off events. By focusing on the design of activities and the production of unique experiences, Cumen is cultivating a new paradigm for offline engagement.

The platform has seen significant traction, reporting over 20 million cumulative users and more than 100,000 principals and clubs by December 2025. This network facilitates over 100,000 monthly activities, ranging from popular sports like frisbee and pickleball to niche interests such as acapella, improv theater, and novel social games. These diverse offerings collectively shape a vibrant new offline lifestyle.

A key aspect of Cumen's success lies in its ability to professionalize the role of activity organizers. These 'principals' include former athletes, academics, and passionate hobbyists who leverage their expertise to create enriching experiences. Cumen provides a framework for these individuals to monetize their skills, transforming 'leading play' into a scalable opportunity. Examples include guided historical walks, nature explorations led by botanists, or immersive theater workshops, all designed to deliver significant emotional value and foster human connection.

Commercially, Cumen positions itself as an 'offline experience distribution system' rather than a traditional traffic-driven platform. Brands can engage users through experiential marketing, integrating products and brand ethos directly into real-world activities. This approach, exemplified by collaborations with brands like Salomon for outdoor events and OPPO for photography challenges, allows for deeper consumer immersion and brand affinity. With over 100,000 monthly events, Cumen offers brands precise targeting based on interests, scenarios, or demographics.

Looking ahead, Cumen envisions a future where millions of real-world activities occur daily, making 'play' an integral part of everyday life. The company prioritizes the organic growth of its principal ecosystem, the continuous innovation of activities, and the authenticity of user experiences over rapid, short-term expansion. This long-term perspective is reflected in the funding terms, which include no board seats or performance-based clauses, allowing Cumen to focus on sustainable development and genuine value creation in the post-AI era.