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

Join your personal circle of 8 vetted 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
Founder, 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 rare 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. No confidential information shared in your group leaves it. Ever. No exceptions.

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 highly-vetted 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, retreats, and more. It's a great way to meet amazing people from other Inner Circles.

Members playing games together on games night
Whenever the mood strikes

Member-led Experiences

You're invited to activities organized by other members: karaoke, comedy shows, birthday parties and more. It's quality time with people you've grown to know and care about.

Inner Circle breakfast hangout
Always on

Private WhatsApp Community

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. Every single application is reviewed by a human.

02

Chat

We set up a 15-minute call to get to know you better. If we have a group that fits you, we'll extend an invite to join the community.

03

Join the community

Once you've paid your dues, you get immediate access to our private WhatsApp community 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.

Nanzala GondaConsultant at Ernst & Young
"

Being part of The Analog Circle has genuinely shaped my experience of living in Berlin. It turned a new city into a place that actually feels like home. Some of my favourite weekends have been spent at each other's apartments, sharing food, playing games, having deep conversations, and just checking in on one another in a way that feels rare in a big city. One moment that really showed me the power of this community was when my home was broken into by someone wearing a mask. It was a traumatic experience, and I remember feeling shaken long after it happened. But members of The Analog Circle immediately reached out, calling me, sharing advice, sending love, and just being there. That kindness brought me real relief in a moment when I needed it most.

Henry OkonkwoSenior Engineer at Hypofriend
"

For me, community is everything and I appreciate the opportunity to have been a part of this. The Analog Circle has been a great utility to me as I navigated several cycles from being single, to being married, getting my PR..e.t.c The beauty is that I can have very contextual conversations with people in a similar situation or from a similar background. I'm very grateful for it.

Tobi AkindunjoyePrincipal Product Designer at Zalando
Membership

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

Now enrolling

The Fall 2026 Batch

First experienceWithin a week of joining
First dinnerOctober 2026
Opening3 circles
Apply now
Founding cohort

Our Annual Membership

€650€400/ year

Pay in full, or split it: €150 today + €300 later.

Founding price, locked in for life if you join now.

  • Placed in a highly-vetted circle of 8 amazing expats
  • 8 guided Inner Circle dinners a year, hosted in members' homes
  • Monthly 1:1 adventures to explore Berlin
  • Community experiences: hikes, retreats, and more
  • Member-led experiences: karaoke, movie nights, cooking together
  • Private WhatsApp community, from day one
Apply

The Analog Circle Guarantee

We put our money behind the community. Attend at least 1 of your first 3 Inner Circle dinners and a community experience, and if it's not worth it, we refund you in full. No hard feelings, no awkward calls.

The details:

  • Refund requests must be submitted within 7 days of the 3rd Inner Circle dinner.

This isn't designed for tourists. It's for expats who are still deciding if The Analog Circle is the right fit. If you show up, engage, and it's not for you, we'll make it right.

“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 vetted 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, open to tackling the challenges of life in Berlin together. 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?

Membership fees for Inner Circle are €650 per year. If you join now, you get it for €400 per year, locked in for life, since it's our first year. You can pay in full (€400), or split it into two payments: €150 today and €300 later (€450 total). Your fees cover curation costs to find the right people for you and the organization of experiences to meet them regularly.

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

We put our money behind the community. Show up to two experiences, and if it's not worth it, we refund you in full. No hard feelings, no awkward calls. Read the full Analog Circle Guarantee.

If your group doesn't feel right and you still want to stay in our community, you get a free re-match to another circle. The re-match offer is only available until 7 days after the third dinner.

When do dinners happen?

Dinners happen on the first Saturday of the month, from 4 to 7pm. 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.
How long is the membership?

Membership is billed annually, but 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'm not seated in an Inner Circle?

Placement usually happens within 90 days, but we won't rush a match that isn't right. If you're not seated within 90 days of joining, you get a full refund and you're first in line for the next cohort.

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?

P.S. Every application is reviewed by a human, and members are carefully selected.