– We're not building for clicks. We're building for connection.
When Marte moved to a new town and didn’t know a single soul, she quickly realized how hard it can be to find real friends as an adult. That moment sparked something bigger — the idea for Kling, a new kind of social platform built by women, for women, to make it easier to create meaningful connections in real life.
“I’m the visionary – drawn to moments of quiet significance, always seeing potential in people, ideas and connections.” Photo: Vegard Stien.
First off – who are you? Tell us a bit about yourself, your team, and where you’re based:
I’m Marte – a northern Norwegian soul with a big heart for real connection. I live in Mo i Rana, The Arctic Circle City – surrounded by fjords, mountains and plenty of space to dream big.
I’m the CEO and co-founder of Kling, together with my partner and one of our friends. We’re a small, all-female founding team – with very different personalities that somehow click perfectly:
I’m the visionary – drawn to moments of quiet significance, always seeing potential in people, ideas and connections.
Julie, our CPO, is the powerhouse – fast-moving, razor-sharp and endlessly productive, the kind of person who makes things happen before the rest of us have even thought them through.
And Ida-Sofie, our CTO, is the architect – the technical brain behind it all. She builds seamless systems like it’s second nature – always thinking ten steps ahead.
Together, we’re building Kling not just as a product – but as something we truly believe the world needs.
Kling is such a fun name. What inspired the idea, and what does the name mean to you personally?
To me, “Kling” is the sound of resonance. Like when you strike a singing bowl and the vibration spreads out in soft, clear waves. It’s about frequency. About finding the people you vibe with.
The ones where something just clicks – even if you’ve just met. It’s playful and a little unexpected, but it carries depth.
And that’s what we want Kling to be.
“I’m the CEO and co-founder of Kling, together with my partner and one of our friends. We’re a small, all-female founding team – with very different personalities that somehow click perfectly.”
What was the moment or experience that made you realize the world needed a different kind of social platform – one built for authentic female friendships?
The idea for Kling was born when I moved far north, to a new town where I didn’t know a single soul. I tried to put myself out there – I went to events, said yes to invitations – but I couldn’t find my people. And I realized how hard it is to really feel at home in a place when you don’t feel connected to anyone there.
Eight years later, I moved back home, and I started hearing the same thing again and again:
“It’s so hard to make new friends as an adult.”
And at some point I just thought – why isn’t anyone doing something about this? That’s when Kling was born. A space to make it easier to find people you actually connect with – so you can feel more at home where you live and in your life.
Kling is built by women, for women. Why do you think that matters – especially in the social tech space?
Because most platforms weren’t built with us in mind. They were designed to maximize attention, not connection. To keep people scrolling, not meeting. When women design digital spaces, we bring something else. We think about how things feel, not just how they look. We value depth, softness, safety – the kind of invisible design that makes people feel welcome. We’re not building for clicks. We’re building for connection. And that matters.
What are some ways Kling encourages more meaningful, real-life connections between its users?
We’re building Kling to make it feel natural to move from digital match to real-life meeting. Not in a forced way – but in a gentle, supported, you’ve got this kind of way.
We’re working on:
– Grouping women based on shared interests and location
– Suggesting low-pressure activities to do together
– Giving you prompts that make it easier to break the ice and get past the awkward small talk
The goal isn’t endless chatting – it’s actual connection, in your real life.
Behind the scenes from working with the Kling app.
Social media can sometimes feel overwhelming or performative. How is Kling different, and what kind of emotional space are you trying to create for your users?
We want Kling to feel like a deep breath. Like someone just said, “You can be fully yourself here.” There’s no feed. No followers. No pressure to perform. Just a space where you can meet people who see you – and meet you – where you are. It’s quiet. Intentional. And built for something social media often forgets: presence.
What has been one of your biggest challenges so far in building Kling – and how did you work through it?
One of the hardest things has been trying to build a soft, feminine platform in a world that still rewards masculine values. The startup world is loud, fast and numbers-driven. But Kling is more quiet. Emotional. Felt. It’s not something you can explain in five bullet points. It’s something you sense. And that’s been hard to pitch – but so important to protect. What’s helped us most is trusting that energy doesn’t lie. That when the right people feel what we’re building – they’ll know.
Julie (CPO) is the powerhouse – sharp, fast, and always two steps ahead. Ida-Sofie (CTO) is the architect – the brilliant brain behind Kling’s seamless tech.
As a female founder in tech, have you had any experiences (good or bad) that have shaped your journey or perspective?
Absolutely. There have been moments where I’ve felt overlooked or underestimated. Talked over. Asked questions a male founder would never get.
But also moments of deep support – from women (and some men) who believe in this work and want to see it succeed.
Being a woman in tech often means having to explain yourself a little more. But it has also taught me to lead with clarity, calm, and confidence in what we’re building – even when others don’t see it yet.
What’s one thing you’ve learned about friendship, connection, or community since starting Kling that surprised you?
That so many women are walking around thinking they’re the only ones who feel disconnected.
And they’re not.
The minute one person dares to be a little brave – to say “Hey, I’d love to connect” – walls come down. Something opens.
We’re just waiting for someone to go first.
If you could change one thing about the way we connect online, what would it be?
I’d remove the pressure to be interesting. And bring back the courage to be interested. That’s where the magic happens.
Building something from scratch takes courage. What mindset, habit, or belief keeps you grounded through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship?
That I don’t have to know the full plan. I just have to take the next step. And when I get caught up in details, or start to doubt, I zoom out. I come back to the vision – to why we started this in the first place. And when I really need grounding, I literally ground.
Bare feet in the grass. Deep breaths. A walk in the mountains. Or in the woods in my backyard. That’s what brings me back to myself – and to the bigger picture.
What’s the next big milestone you’re working towards – and how can people support you or help you get there?
We’re about to LAUNCH Kling this spring! We’re building our early community right now, and we’d love for you to be part of it.
Join the waitlist, share it with a friend – or just send us a message and say hi. Every message means the world to us.
We’re also looking for women who want to help shape this from the inside –who want to test the app, give honest feedback, and build something new with us.
We don’t want to build this alone – we want to build it with the women it’s for. The best way to support us? Jump in early. You’ll be part of something beautiful.
And finally – if an investor happens to read this, what would you want to say to them?
Kling isn’t just a product. It’s a shift. In how we meet. In how we relate. In how we build community. We’re not here to hack attention. We’re here to heal connection.
The need is massive. And the opportunity? Bigger than most people realize. We’re not building the next social app. We’re building a platform for real-life resonance.
And if you feel that too – let’s talk.
Where can people find Kling and support what you’re doing?
Join the waitlist at www.kling.social
📥 Get our free “Kling cards”: 16 conversation starters for when you’re done talking about the weather – and actually want more. Get them here
And follow us on @kling.social on Instagram + TikTok
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📩 Reach out: lisa@gemz.no
