Snapchat Acquires Social Calendar App Saturn to Enhance User Engagement

Snap Inc. has officially acquired Saturn, a popular social calendar application among high school and college students. The acquisition, confirmed to TechCrunch on Friday, aims to integrate Saturn’s expertise in calendaring into the Snapchat platform, promising innovative ways to enhance user engagement. Financial details of the deal remain undisclosed, and Saturn will continue to operate as a standalone application.

The news of the acquisition was initially reported by Engadget. Snap is bringing onboard almost the entire Saturn team, consisting of just under 30 full-time employees, signaling a significant commitment to leveraging Saturn’s technology and talent.

While Snap has been tight-lipped about specific plans, a company spokesperson indicated that the acquisition would allow Snap to incorporate Saturn’s calendaring capabilities into Snapchat. This move is expected to provide Snapchat users with new tools for managing their schedules and connecting with friends.

Founded in 2018, Saturn distinguishes itself by adding a social dimension to the traditional calendaring experience. The application enables high school and college students to connect with classmates and view their schedules, fostering easier coordination and social planning. Instead of exchanging multiple screenshots of schedules, students can use Saturn to see which classes their friends are in, facilitating spontaneous meetups and study sessions.

Saturn allows users to share their schedules for various activities, including classes, practices, rehearsals, meetings, and games. This comprehensive sharing capability makes it easier for students to stay informed about their friends’ activities and make real-time plans.

According to Snap, Saturn is widely used across a significant number of schools, with support extending to 80% of U.S. high schools. Snap believes Saturn’s success stems from its ability to transform scheduling into a more interactive and engaging experience. The collaboration between Snap and Saturn is aimed at building stronger real-world connections among users.

In 2021, Forbes reported that Saturn secured $44 million in funding from notable investors, including General Catalyst, Insight Partners, and Coatue, with additional participation from Bezos Expeditions, Marc Benioff, Dara Khosrowshahi, and Ashton Kutcher and Guy Oseary’s Sound Ventures. This funding underscored the potential and value seen in Saturn’s innovative approach to social calendaring.

The acquisition of Saturn by Snap represents a strategic move to enhance Snapchat’s features and user experience. By integrating Saturn’s social calendaring expertise, Snap aims to provide its users with more tools for managing their schedules and fostering real-world connections. The continued operation of Saturn as a standalone app ensures that existing users will continue to benefit from its unique features, while Snap explores new ways to incorporate these capabilities into the Snapchat ecosystem.