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ThirdSpace landing page introducing AI-powered networking in shared spaces.
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Users create an account to start tracking real-world connections.
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Returning users log in to access their connections and insights.
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Users record a real-world interaction and conversation details.
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AI analyzes the interaction and generates connection insights and follow-up suggestions.
Inspiration
We were inspired by a common problem in professional networking: people meet at career fairs, networking events, cafés, and coworking spaces, but those connections often do not last. Even when a conversation goes well, people may forget names, lose contact details, or never follow up because the context of the interaction is lost. The competition challenged teams to rethink how technology and physical environments can create authentic, lasting professional relationships, which is exactly the gap we wanted to solve.
What it does
ThirdSpace is a smart networking platform designed for environments where people naturally meet, such as hackathons, conferences, coworking spaces, and cafés.
When two people have a conversation, they can scan a QR code placed in the environment and log their interaction through the ThirdSpace platform. Users record details such as the person they met, their role, and what they discussed.
The interaction is then analyzed by an AI system that generates insights and suggestions to help users maintain and strengthen that connection. These suggestions may include conversation follow-ups, collaboration ideas, or reminders to reconnect.
By capturing the context of networking interactions, ThirdSpace helps transform short conversations into meaningful long-term professional relationships.
How we built it
We built ThirdSpace as a lightweight web-based prototype using Java, HTML, and CSS.
HTML was used to structure the platform interface, including user registration, interaction logging forms, and networking workflow pages.
CSS was used to design a clean and modern user interface that reflects the professional yet casual environments where ThirdSpace would be used.
Java was used to implement the application logic, including interaction data handling and integration with the AI analysis component that generates networking insights.
The system also incorporates QR code scanning to connect users in shared environments and capture real-world networking interactions instantly.
Challenges we ran into
One of the biggest challenges was designing a system that captures networking interactions without disrupting natural conversations. Networking environments need to feel comfortable and spontaneous, so the platform had to remain simple and quick to use.
Another challenge was deciding what information should be captured to allow the AI system to generate meaningful insights while keeping the logging process fast and intuitive for users.
Accomplishments that we are proud of
We are proud that ThirdSpace bridges the gap between physical networking environments and digital tools. Instead of replacing in-person networking, the platform enhances it by capturing valuable interactions and helping users follow up more effectively.
We are also proud of integrating AI-driven insights that guide users on how to maintain professional relationships after their initial meeting.
What we learned
Through this project, we learned that the hardest part of networking is not meeting people, but maintaining the connection afterward. We also learned that intentional design matters a lot, both in physical spaces and digital platforms. A strong solution is not just technically functional; it also needs to feel natural, accessible, and realistic for users.
What's next for ThirdSpace
The next step would be launching a pilot location in Toronto near major universities such as TMU or the University of Toronto. This pilot would help test user engagement, networking behaviour, platform usability, and event participation. After validating the concept, future improvements could include stronger matching features, mentorship tools, collaboration groups, and event integration. Long term, ThirdSpace could expand to university campuses, startup incubators, coworking spaces, and major conferences.
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