Snapchat Acquires Saturn Calendar App Used by 80% US High Schools

Snap Inc. has acquired Saturn, a social calendar app widely used by high school and college students in the U.S., with around 80% of U.S. high schools already supporting the app. Nearly 30 members of Saturn's team will join Snap, while Saturn will continue to operate independently for now, with plans to integrate its calendar and social features into Snapchat to enhance user engagement and foster real-life meetups. Saturn's unique blend of social networking and practical scheduling, allowing users to share class schedules, sports, and other activities, aligns with Snap's strategy to deepen connections with its core Gen Z audience amid a competitive social media landscape. The acquisition has also positively influenced Snap's stock, which saw a modest increase in trading volume and price, reflecting investor confidence in the deal's potential to boost user retention and ad revenue. Additionally, the move has subtly impacted cryptocurrency markets, with related social platform tokens experiencing slight gains, highlighting the broader tech sector optimism. Saturn was founded in 2018 and has raised $44 million from prominent investors including Jeff Bezos, Marc Benioff, and Ashton Kutcher.