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The Evolution of Family Coordination:
From 24me to GroupCal
From 24me to GroupCal
Balancing work and family commitments is one of the greatest challenges of parenthood, especially when you’re managing it together as a team.
For Liat and Gilad Hertanu, entrepreneurs and life partners, the journey began with the inception of their groundbreaking app, 24me. Initially designed to manage their hectic schedules as they navigated the responsibilities of young parenthood, their experiences eventually led them to create a new solution that meets the needs of their growing family: GroupCal.
For Liat and Gilad Hertanu, entrepreneurs and life partners, the journey began with the inception of their groundbreaking app, 24me. Initially designed to manage their hectic schedules as they navigated the responsibilities of young parenthood, their experiences eventually led them to create a new solution that meets the needs of their growing family: GroupCal.
The Birth of 24me
Back in the early 2010s, Liat and Gilad were living the whirlwind life of young parents with three children under the age of four. Amidst the chaos of changing diapers, school runs, and business meetings, they realized they were struggling to manage their time effectively. "We felt overwhelmed with all the day-to-day life activities," Liat recalls. With a clear need for organization and simplicity, they looked for an app that could consolidate their calendars, tasks, notes and reminders all in one place. When nothing on the market met their needs, they decided to build 24me themselves.
Since its launch in 2013, 24me rapidly gained popularity for revolutionizing how users manage their daily lives. Users embraced the app for its ability to seamlessly organize appointments, tasks and reminders. Beyond its core functionality, 24me offers personal assistant-like features, designed to keep life running smoothly.
But as their family continued to grow, so too did their insights into what a modern family truly needed.
Enter GroupCal: A Reflection of Family Dynamics
Fast forward a few years, Liat and Gilad's family grew to include two more children, making them a household of seven. With each child developing their own interests - such as professional tennis, dance, and scouts - the Hertanu family faced a new challenge: keeping everyone synchronized. Gone were the days when a personal calendar sufficed. The family needed a platform that could adapt to their dynamic lifestyles, capturing the many activities that filled their schedules.
This evolution birthed GroupCal - a shared calendar app specifically designed to align the schedules of every family member. “With five kids, we realized that our needs had changed,” Gilad explains. "GroupCal was created to provide a comprehensive solution to manage our family’s shared schedule, allowing each member to input their commitments and interests.”
GroupCal reflects the growing complexity of family life. The app effortlessly processes each family member’s activities, ensuring everyone is informed about what’s happening, when, and where. Family dinners, weekend getaways, and vacations can now be planned with ease, eliminating the frustration and confusion that often accompanies scheduling.
Operating seamlessly like a messaging app, GroupCal allows for real-time notifications and effortless collaboration without the need for email accounts. This feature resonates exceptionally with Gen Z, who prioritize instant communication and connectivity in their fast-paced lives.
“This isn’t just about managing time,” Liat says. “It’s about creating an environment where our family can grow together, celebrate each other’s journeys, and ensure that no one is left out of the loop.”
The Ripple Effect of GroupCal
The Hertanu family story demonstrates how GroupCal not only serves their personal scheduling needs but can also resonate with other families, small businesses, service providers, and communities alike dealing with similar challenges.
Each family member has their own commitments, often tied to external schedules, and GroupCal seamlessly integrates them into a shared family calendar. For example, Their son’s tennis team uses GroupCal to coordinate their practice and match schedules, while their daughter's scouts rely on it to organize trips, camps, and gatherings. Even the children's schools have adopted GroupCal, ensuring that all important dates - like vacations, days off, and PTA meetings - are easily accessible. This interconnectedness means that the
Each family member has their own commitments, often tied to external schedules, and GroupCal seamlessly integrates them into a shared family calendar. For example, Their son’s tennis team uses GroupCal to coordinate their practice and match schedules, while their daughter's scouts rely on it to organize trips, camps, and gatherings. Even the children's schools have adopted GroupCal, ensuring that all important dates - like vacations, days off, and PTA meetings - are easily accessible. This interconnectedness means that the
various commitments of each family member automatically integrate into a cohesive family schedule, demonstrating how GroupCal empowers users to manage both personal and shared responsibilities effectively.
As more groups adopt this collaborative tool, GroupCal continues to prove that a well-coordinated schedule is key to well-being and productivity.
As more groups adopt this collaborative tool, GroupCal continues to prove that a well-coordinated schedule is key to well-being and productivity.
From Family Need to Global Solution
While GroupCal began as a solution to the Hertanu family's needs, it quickly evolved into a versatile platform used by businesses and communities worldwide. Groups and organizations leverage the platform to manage public and shared schedules, notify their users about events and important updates, and enhance engagement within their communities. This extension beyond family coordination showcases GroupCal’s adaptability and relevance in various contexts.
Conclusion: A Journey of Growth and Adaptation
From their early days with 24me to the present moment with GroupCal, Liat and Gilad have repeatedly demonstrated that technology can be a powerful ally in personal and organizational growth. Their journey underscores a fundamental truth: as life evolves, so too must the tools we use to navigate it.
In sharing their story, the Hertanus not only highlight their entrepreneurial journey but also offer a relatable and heartfelt narrative that resonates with busy parents and professionals everywhere. GroupCal is not just an app; it’s a vital part of the Hertanu family’s life, serving as a powerful tool to foster harmony amidst the beautiful chaos of family life.