News Summary

Gander, a Canadian social networking app positioned as an alternative to Meta or X, has successfully reached its crowdfunding target of $1.5 million. The app, which aims to provide a homegrown option for social media users in Canada, has seen substantial interest from the public, prompting an extension of the crowdfunding deadline to January. Gander, led by CEO Ben Waldman, has garnered over 1,800 Canadian co-owners and is raising funds through FrontFundr, a Toronto-based crowdfunding platform. The app is designed to operate on Canadian servers with an emphasis on privacy and will be built on decentralized, open-source protocols like AT. Notable Canadians such as Arlene Dickinson and Amber Mac are among its strategic advisors. Gander is structured as a public benefit company in BC, focusing on social and environmental benefits alongside profit. The app is currently in the testing phase and is expected to launch publicly in the first quarter of 2026.