A UF alumnus’ communication app is now available for UF organizations to try out.
The app, Agora, is a platform for student group communication, said Steven Buchko, the app’s creator. It integrates organizational tools such as messaging, alerts, calendars and location services into one app to improve communication between large groups, said Buchko, who graduated from UF in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in industrial and systems engineering.
“The ultimate goal is simplicity,” the 24-year-old said.
He said the beta version is now available for UF student organizations to use. The official launch is set for August on all iOS and Android smartphones for free, but students can start using the current version now by emailing Buchko through Agora’s website.
Once the app is released, there will be an undetermined cost for premium service features.
Buchko said he began brainstorming ideas for the app his sophomore year at UF after being discouraged by how his fraternity, Zeta Beta Tau, handled organizational duties.
“We were using an email Listserv to handle fraternity duties,” he said. “It was disorganized and confusing.”
He said he chose the name Agora because it’s an ancient Greek term for public meeting spaces.
Pictured is a depiction of the Agora app on a smartphone.
