In the rapidly evolving world of educational technology and digital platforms, two visionary entrepreneurs are reshaping how communities engage and learn online.

At this year's TechCrunch Disrupt conference, Tade Oyerinde of Campus and Teddy Solomon of Fizz offered compelling insights into creating digital spaces that truly connect with users. Their approaches, though different, share a fundamental belief: that technology can transform how people learn, interact, and grow together.

Oyerinde's Campus has emerged as an innovative online educational platform, offering associate degrees and specialized certificates in fields ranging from information technology to cosmetology. With over 3,000 students and more than 100 part-time professors, the school is pioneering a flexible approach to education that responds directly to employer and student needs. By offering à la carte courses in skills like vibe coding, Campus is meeting the growing demand for targeted, practical learning opportunities.

A key differentiator for Campus is its financial model. Leveraging Pell Grants to keep education affordable, Oyerinde has also assembled an impressive team of billionaire investors including Sam Altman from OpenAI and Jason Citroen from Discord. These investors are motivated not by financial returns, but by a genuine desire to revolutionize educational access and structure in the United States.

Meanwhile, Fizz has rapidly expanded its social networking platform across more than 200 college campuses, raising over $40 million from investors like Owl Ventures and NEA. The app has innovatively integrated features such as a peer-to-peer marketplace with over 100,000 listed items and video posting capabilities. Solomon sees tremendous potential in their upcoming Global Fizz initiative, which aims to expand the platform internationally.

Both entrepreneurs emphasize the critical importance of user experience. Solomon candidly shared that Fizz is currently exploring monetization strategies, with a focus on advertising partnerships like those with Perplexity. His guiding principle remains clear: 'The users are everything.' This user-centric approach reflects a broader trend in tech entrepreneurship that prioritizes community engagement over pure profit.

As education and social networking continue to intersect in innovative ways, leaders like Oyerinde and Solomon are proving that technology can create meaningful, scalable communities that empower individuals to learn, connect, and grow.