Co-Founder

I'm Eleni Sophocleus (she/her), co-founder of Parea- a social technology built to quell the overwhelm of endless group texts, flaky plans, and overbooked calendars, to make real-life connection feel easy and spontaneous again.

The idea for Parea stemmed from my own frustrations; craving closeness while feeling more like an admin than a friend. Seeking the kind of connections where plans could unfold naturally, instead of booking out three weeks in advance or navigating the unspoken rules of whose turn it is to reach out first. When I noticed these same frustrations were echoed by the people around me, I reached out to my childhood friend (and co-founder) Oliver to create an app designed to take the pressure out of making plans and meeting new people.

Looking back, I can see how every decision I’ve made has led me here. I earned my Bachelor of Arts from Kent State University, studying across Paris, Florence, and New York City- places that, in their own way, have shown me how vital local community is to human flourishing. My early years in Waldorf education sparked a lifelong curiosity and deep respect for thoughtful, human-centered design- a thread that has connected every venture I’ve taken on since. From founding small businesses, leading community events in the Twin Cities, or teaching yoga as a way to build connection and presence, my work has always been underlined by bringing people together in meaningful ways. 

Before co-founding Parea, I’ve spent my career bringing creative ideas to life; founding small businesses as a working artist, running a freelance design practice, and launching a graphic tee brand that donated proceeds to various nonprofits. Additionally, I’ve grown my craft as the lead graphic designer for an internal creative consulting firm at Target, where I’ve learned how to utilize strategy and design to solve complex problems and bring ideas from a mere concept to an established creation. Each venture has strengthened my belief that creativity can be a tool for connection, community-building, and real-world change. 

At Parea, we’re here to change the pattern with less scrolling and more meaningful moments. We aim to build technology that puts real connection first, protects your privacy, and makes gathering with your people feel natural and joyful again. This is, of course, an ongoing practice; similar to building community, it requires constant care, curiosity, and the willingness to believe there’s a better way. If you’re ready for less admin and more connection, join us- and help bring back the ease and joy of spontaneous gathering.

Co-Founder

I’m Oliver Whittlef (he/him), co-founder of Parea; a social technology designed to bring people together and strengthen local communities. This idea first sparked during a dinner conversation with Eleni, an old friend from our days at the same Waldorf school in Minneapolis. As she described the concept, it struck a nerve. Despite having an online presence, a full calendar, and an abundance of group chats and DMs, I’ve often felt overwhelmed managing my social life, especially since the onset of the pandemic. As a technologist, that disconnect has always frustrated me. I know the technology to foster real human connection exists, we're just not using it in a way that serves us.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to build something that leaves a mark. I first thought it would be architecture, and I skipped my last two years of high school to earn an associate’s degree in architectural drafting. Afterwards, I realized software was my real creative medium. It let me operate in any problem space, unbounded by the physical world. I shifted to computer science at the University of Minnesota, where I earned both my BS and MS degrees.

Early in my career, I landed a summer internship at Xvoucher. At the time, I was a first-year comp sci student with no experience in frameworks or web development, and I struggled to keep up. Frustrated, I decided to contribute in a different way, by putting together a deck of ideas to improve their product. On my last day, I presented it to leadership, not expecting much. Ultimately, they saw potential, and offered to pay for my undergrad if I agreed to continue growing with them. Over the next eight years, I rose from intern to Lead Architect, learning the ins and outs of monetizing software and running a business. One of the most impactful projects I led involved layering subscription models over transactional products; an experience that showed me the kind of growth and alignment a thoughtful revenue strategy can unlock.

At Parea, I’m bringing together everything I’ve learned: building tech products that feel more human, prioritizing safety and privacy, and crafting monetization models that align with user well-being rather than exploit it.

Beyond tech, I’ve always been deeply rooted in my community. I’ve taught alpine skiing since I was 15, and today I teach adaptive skiing for people with disabilities. I’m that friend who rarely misses a local music show or art share, and I want Parea to be a tool that empowers my friends– and people everywhere– to create and participate in those moments more easily.