At Acterio, we think a lot about what makes communities actually work not just on paper, but in real life. So we’ve started recording some of the conversations we’re already having behind the scenes. Short, honest, and unpolished. Just us, digging into the questions we’re hearing from the communities we work with every day.

This is the first in a new series of podcast clips we’ll be sharing, and we’re starting with a topic that’s as underrated as it is powerful: the hidden value sitting right next to you.

You never know who’s sitting next to you: Designing for serendipity in communities

Our CEO Even Dahl and COO David Gjerde reflect on something that often gets overlooked in community building: the value of who’s already in the room.

“One of the coolest and honestly most underrated parts of community is who’s sitting just a few meters away.” - David

They share a story from the early days of building their own startup community - long before remote work and AI made headlines - when a simple lunch conversation led to a breakthrough for a founder who’d been stuck for months.

The founder had been searching everywhere for someone with a highly specific skill set, only to realize the person he needed was literally three desks down. Same office. Same community. Totally off each other’s radar.

And that’s the point.

The real value of community isn’t always on stage

We tend to think of community value in terms of events, perks, or programming - and those things matter. But as Even puts it:

“The biggest asset in a community usually isn’t the events or perks - it’s the members themselves.”

The challenge? Most of these high-value connections still happen by accident: over a coffee, in line for lunch, or during a random chat before an event starts. That randomness can be magical, but it also means you're leaving a lot of value on the table.

Serendipity is great, but you can design for it

Physical spaces have always tried to create opportunities for people to meet: open layouts, social events, workshops, break areas. But what about online?

Post-COVID, as remote and hybrid work reshaped how people gather, many of the organic touchpoints we relied on started to fade. And yet, the need for connection hasn’t disappeared - if anything, it’s become more important.

So how do you bring intentional connection design into the digital world?

You build tools that go beyond names and roles.
You help members discover each other’s skills and interests.
You make introductions feel less like a game of chance and more like a designed outcome.

“Discovery > Directory.”

If your members can’t easily discover what others know, offer, or need, you’re missing huge opportunities for value, collaboration, and growth.

Listen to the full clip:

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That person you or your member needs?
They might already be in your community.

It’s time to make it easier to find them.
That’s what we’re designing for at Acterio.

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