If you're an expat in Berlin... Stop doing life alone.

Join your personal circle of 8 curated expats in Berlin who show up for each other consistently.

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Our founding story

It was March 2020. I moved to Berlin, during Corona.

I had moved from Lagos, Nigeria, a place full of family and friends, community and laughter, to social distancing. I didn't speak German. I had no friends. I lived alone and worked from home.

On paper, I was doing great. I had money, a good job, the freedom to explore Europe. And yet, life felt empty. I was lonely and depressed.

Over the last few years I've crawled out of that depression, and the most important part of the journey were my relationships, friendships and community. Spending time with people. Showing up for people, and them showing up for me. Loving and being loved.

"They've been to my wedding, I've been to theirs. They visited when I was sick, I did the same for them. I can rely on them, and they can rely on me."

I've been talking to expats about building a life in Berlin, and I realized most expats don't have people here they can rely on. Maybe you don't either.

I'd like to invite you to build that home together. Let's build a place we belong, together.

Bolu Ajibawo
I get to be the Founder of The Analog Circle. On a mission to make loneliness a choice.
The expat loop

Making real friends as a Berlin expat is hard. You keep meeting new people, and you keep starting over.

The loop, step one

You show up hopeful

Meetups, apps, language classes. A night of small talk with strangers, repeating the same three questions about where you're from.

The loop, step two

It never compounds

You meet nice people once and never see them again. No consistency, no follow-up, no shared history. Everyone scatters.

The loop, step three

You start over. Again.

Months pass. You still don't have people you can call when life happens. So you go back to step one, or you stop trying.

The Analog Circle breaks that pattern.
Instead of constantly starting over, you see the same faces every month. Over time, trust replaces small talk. You stop wondering who you can call, because you already know.

8people per circle
25–48age range, avg. 35 years
60/40women to men
2+ yearsin Berlin, avg. member
What holds it together

The foundation is simple:

No. 1

Kindness

Be kind to people. Relationships are not transactional: give, give and give some more. Someone else will do the same for you.

No. 2

Commitment

Show up. And on the occasion you can't make it, give context and let the group know in advance. The expectation is long-term membership and long-term relationships.

No. 3

Confidentiality

Your real life is allowed here. You keep private information shared in your group confidential.

What you get

Your social life, on autopilot.

Our team finds like-minded people for you and takes care of the logistics of connecting with them. All you do is show up.

The heart of it · 8 dinners a year

Inner Circle Dinners

Your personal circle of 8 curated expats who meet monthly, hosted each time in a different member's home. You eat together, have deep conversations, and help each other tackle the challenges of building a life in Berlin.

Dinners happen on the first Saturday of the month, from 4 to 7pm. The date/time can be adjusted to work for everyone if your group agrees. We provide themed guides to facilitate them, so hosts and guests know what to expect. We've got you.

Inner Circle dinner, members sharing a potluck meal
Two members exploring Berlin together at Gleisdreieck
7 times a year

Monthly 1:1 Adventures

It's hard getting to know people in a group setting. So once a month, we match you with a member of your circle for an adventure in Berlin. You have fun exploring the city while getting to know them better.

Members chatting over drinks at a cafe
Every month

Community Experiences

Our team hosts special in-person experiences for the whole community: hikes, games night, and more. It's a great way to meet amazing people from other Inner Circles.

Inner Circle breakfast hangout
Always on

Private App

A private community where we coordinate experiences and keep in touch. Get questions answered and help with issues you're facing in Berlin, from day one of your membership.

This is NOT

  • Networking
  • Dating
  • Group therapy
  • A casual meetup
Curated, not chance

How we build your circle

You don't waste time and energy finding the right people. After joining, you let us know your interests, hobbies and where you live. We use this info to curate a group of 8 amazing expats who are the best fit for you, weighing a mix of factors:

Shared interests

Common ground: things to talk about and do together. Being in the same phase of life matters too. From hiking and book clubs to board games and potlucks.

Proximity

The closer your homes are to each other, the better. It makes it easier for you to actually meet up in person, and keep meeting.

Balance

A balance of gender and a mix of nationalities, so you learn from different cultures and perspectives every time you meet.

Membership is invite-only

From application to your circle

Yes, it's a lot. But The Analog Circle only works because we're obsessive about curation. It keeps churn low and trust high.

01

Apply

Anyone can apply through our application.

02

Invitation

If we have a circle that fits you, we send you a personal invitation with how to join.

03

Join the community

Once you've paid your dues, you get immediate access to our private app where we coordinate experiences and help with issues you're facing in Berlin. Our team then forms your personal circle of 8, what you've been waiting for.

In their words

What members say after showing up

"

So glad I took the leap and joined The Analog Circle! Berlin can feel overwhelming at first, exciting, but also easy to feel lost in. What this community has given me is something I didn't even know I was looking for: genuine connections. Through get-togethers, fun activities, and the kind of deep, honest conversations that don't happen by accident, I've met people from so many different cultures and backgrounds, all navigating life in Berlin together. There's something really special about that shared experience. It creates an instant bond. Some of these friendships already feel like they'll last a lifetime, and I truly hope they do. The Analog Circle has turned what could have been a lonely chapter of (working, sleeping, eating repeat) into one filled with laughter, meaning, and people I'm so grateful to have in my life. I can't recommend it enough.

NanzalaKenya
"

After 15 years in Berlin I've seen many people from my social circles move away. Although I'm no longer looking to be out partying all the time, I've been missing spending time with a core group of friends for regular get togethers. I joined The Analog Circle around 4 months ago and I've loved how quickly I'm building meaningful connections with the people in my group and the wider Analog Circle. Bolu and his team have invested a lot of time and effort into finding the right people and building groups who click. It's paying off in a big way. We're a mix of different people from different places and backgrounds, and still every time we meet up we find more and more in common. I'm always genuinely looking forward to the next time we spend time together.

DavidUnited Kingdom
"

I had initially been unsure about joining the Analog Circle, as I wondered how different it could really be to other expat events. It has been refreshingly different. All the members I have had the pleasure of meeting so far are genuine and kind people. You never feel awkward here - everyone makes an effort to include each other. There is a true sense of community, and Bolu and Valerie are always iterating and improving, and you are building something together with them and all other members. The matching up of the individual circles I have found to be done very well - I have a lot in common with my circle and look forward to seeing them at our monthly dinners and the ones we plan together in-between. They are interesting and curious people who are committed to each other. The balance of regular scheduled events and member-led events (such as story circles, cooking together) means there is something for everyone, and everyone can contribute. I would highly recommend Analog Circle to anyone considering joining who is looking for a true community - and to building together. It really is different to all the other events and communities out there - and it is well worthwhile.

OdetteUnited Kingdom
"

I moved to Berlin with my partner three years ago. I work a demanding remote job for which I travel a fair amount, which has sometimes made it difficult to establish routines or meet people serendipitously. Joining The Analog Circle has helped me be more intentional and meet great people from all over, serious about building strong local friendships. I feel part of a diverse community that makes each other feel welcome in big and small ways, including literal dinner tables and meandering conversation. In these times, that's no small feat!

IevaLithuania
"

Hi, can I ask you a question? Does it ever happen to you that despite being surrounded by people, you still feel entirely on your own? You look around and notice that everyone is "together," but their minds have drifted. The body is there, but the focus is still at work. Fingers scrolling. The room is filled with typing, not talking. Today, "sharing" has just come down to taking pictures. I love people. And as much as I value my solitude, I need people who spark my growth. People who fascinate me, who mirror my thoughts, yet challenge them, being so similar and so different from me all at once. That's exactly what the Circle is. It's about true presence. The kind that opens doors to real, raw, and lasting friendships.

AleksandraPoland
"

Who knew a community could feel so much like home? Analog Circle has become my safety net in Berlin! A group of people from all over the world who show up for each other and remind you that you're never really on your own. In a world that moves so fast, finding people who genuinely care, make time for one another, and make life more fun is invaluable. Everything is simply better when we do it together. I'm so grateful to be part of this community! If you're looking for your people in Berlin, give Analog Circle a try. You might just find a little piece of home.

NáthalyEcuador
Membership

There are limited membership spots, which keeps our community intimate. We value QUALITY of people over quantity.

Now enrolling

The January 2027 Batch

First experienceWithin a week of joining
First dinner2 January 2027
Opening3 circles
Apply now

Analog Circle Membership

€39/ month
Monthly
€39 a month on a 6-month commitment
Yearly
€400 once, which works out at €33 a month. Save €68.

Backed by a 60-day guarantee. Full refund if it isn't for you.

  • Placed in a curated circle of 8 amazing expats
  • 8 guided dinners a year, hosted in members' homes
  • 1:1 adventures to explore Berlin
  • Community experiences: hikes, games night, and more
  • Private app, from day one
Apply

The 60-day guarantee

Come to at least 2 experiences in your first 60 days. If the circle isn't for you, tell us within those 60 days. We refund everything you've paid and your membership ends.

“You're not paying for friendships. You're paying for the infrastructure that makes real friendships easy.”

Frequently asked questions
What is Inner Circle and The Analog Circle?

Inner Circle is your personal circle of 8 curated expats in Berlin who show up for each other consistently. You meet monthly for guided dinners hosted in each other's homes.

The Analog Circle is the wider community which has multiple Inner Circles. As a member you get matched to an Inner Circle as well as access to community experiences like hikes, picnics and more.

What are the requirements to join?

All members must be expats living in Berlin. Beyond that, our members are:

  • Committed to living in Berlin for at least the next year
  • Willing to show up at monthly Inner Circle dinners
  • Willing to host members in your home once a year
  • Kind, reliable, and value deep connections
How do you match me to a group?

Once your membership starts, our team begins forming your Inner Circle. You let us know your interests, hobbies and where you live. We use this info to curate your group using a mix of factors:

  • Shared interests: so you have common ground and things to do together
  • Proximity: the closer your homes, the easier it is to meet
  • Balance: a mix of genders and nationalities so you learn from different perspectives
Who's in the community?

We can't tell you all the members for privacy reasons, but here's a snapshot:

  • About 60% women and 40% men
  • Ages 25 to 48, with an average age of 35
  • Typical member has been in Berlin for at least 4 years but newcomers are welcome too
  • All expats living in Berlin, carefully selected

You can see the full member directory after joining and check us out on Instagram @the_analog_circle.

How much does it cost?

There are two ways to pay, for the same membership:

  • Pay monthly: €39 a month on a 6-month commitment
  • Pay yearly: €33 a month, paid as €400 once a year

Your fees cover curation costs to find the right people for you and the organisation of experiences to meet them regularly.

Our community isn't meant to be a one-year experiment. The value comes from staying with the same people for years. These are relationships that compound over time.

What happens if I join and it's not for me?

You're covered by our 60-day guarantee. Come to at least 2 experiences in your first 60 days (dinners, community experiences and 1:1 adventures all count). If the circle isn't for you, tell us within those 60 days. We refund everything you've paid and your membership ends. No hard feelings, no awkward calls. It's one guarantee per person. Read the 60-day guarantee.

If your circle doesn't feel right but you want to stay in the community, you get one free re-match to another circle. And if we can't place you in a circle within 90 days, you can leave with a full refund.

When do dinners happen?

Dinners happen on the first Saturday of the month, from 4 to 7pm, unless your circle decides together on a different day or time. Your Inner Circle will meet 8 times a year, and there will be opportunities to meet members from other circles in larger gatherings.

What happens at a dinner?
  • Arrive + settle in: Your host opens their doors from 4pm. Arrive, eat some food or drink and relax.
  • IC convo and cross-talk: We've provided your host with a prompt for the group to discuss. These discussions take you from strangers to close friends. Lasts from 5 to 6:30pm.
  • Wrap-up: from around 6:30pm. Take pictures, listen to music or just hang. This is where friendships deepen so try to stay as long as the host allows. Thank the host for welcoming you and help clean up.
What happens if I'm not seated in an Inner Circle?

Placement happens in cohorts rather than one person at a time, because a circle only works when all eight seats are filled well. Until you're seated, you're part of the wider community from day one, with community experiences and our private app. If we can't place you in a circle within 90 days of joining, you can leave with a full refund. And if your circle isn't the right fit, you get one free re-match.

Ready to find your people?

In a few weeks you could could be in a member's living room with 7 people who'll grow to know your story.
Within a year, they become lifelong friends. People you've eaten with, laughed with, and can count on.
You feel at home in Berlin.

Apply

Prefer to wait for the next batch?