This Founder Quit His Job in VC to Host Game Nights for a Living |
Safi Aziz turned a passion for hospitality into Joust, a social experience startup that’s attracting founders, investors, and urbanites looking for a fun night out. No wonder clients like Google and PwC want in.
BY ALI DONALDSON, STAFF REPORTER @ALICDONALDSON
On a Thursday night above Times Square, tucked in a private room behind a tourist-filled hotel bar, two dozen people gathered around Safi Aziz as he explained the rules of the card game. It was cold enough outside that the December air fogged up the glass walls, but a $500 grand prize proved tempting enough for this crowd to venture out and try their luck at Flip 7, a game Aziz described as a cross between blackjack and Uno.
The group of adults began asking a series of increasingly convoluted questions about hypothetical scenarios in a game designed for ages 8 and up, and Aziz answered them all in earnest. Then the host encouraged everyone to find a seat at one of the four tables and start dealing. As cards began slapping down, Aziz circulated through the room. This is what the 31-year-old had left his career in venture capital and technology to do: throw game nights.
This is Joust, his vision for the future of nightlife.
Aziz started thinking about hosting these gatherings back in 2023. The Boston University graduate........