He became the face of Gen Z

The human population is the highest it’s ever been, but people are more disconnected than ever. The world, in this digital age, is trading in-person friendships and genuine connection for doomscrolling and cheap dopamine. 

Gen Z, having to grow up in the midst of this era, has arguably suffered the most as a result. 

Dennis Han, a Canadian CS student, has experienced the same struggles that so many adolescents  can relate to: mental health stigmas, social-life stress, and relationship obstacles.

What separated him from the rest of the world was his commitment to doing something about it.

In 2024, Dennis and @vladi_nyz created Calmi, an AI-powered mental health app that makes therapy accessible to Gen Z without expensive consultations and uncomfortable conversations.

His work didn’t stop there.

The app went viral on social media, and Han used that traction to solve another pressing Gen Z issue.

Alongside co-founder Myles Slayton, Dennis built Cerca, a dating app that emphasizes connecting with mutual friends. Cerca is bringing back relationship-building through interaction while removing the awkwardness of breaking social boundaries. 

Instagram was the catalyst but the success was rooted in Dennis Han’s passion for social impact.

The idea was always there, but the reason it went so viral lay in Dennis’s storytelling prowess.

This is how he cracked the code:

#1. The best content creators copy. Dennis is adept at remixing viral hooks, sounds, and tones of voice towards fitting into his video’s overall thesis.

#2. He reinforces his ideas with relatability. The idea for Cerca originated when Dennis wished he could’ve gone on a date with a girl he saw at a party. The experience is universal, and it serves as the perfect product advertisement.

#3. Each video is its own story arc. Dennis documents the whole process, the roadblocks, the small wins, everything. Each segment of the video is a short episode with a separate plotline and resolution, but all of it ties into the video’s overarching purpose. 

Combining all of these strategies creates a show that you feel like you’re a part of.

Calmi, the mental health app, has won startup competitions, attracted the attention of mainstream media, and gained the approval of over 200,000 people.  

Cerca, the dating app, is already gaining huge traction despite only launching a few months ago.

Here’s what the numbers mean:

When you can effectively attack a pain point that your audience resonates with and effectively market it on social media, people will show up.

Almost every video that Dennis Han posts is product placement. But not a single one feels like an ad. 

Every Dennis Han reel that you watch is its own separate story with different stakes. The hooks are killers. And the relatability and Gen Z idealism displayed in every piece makes you feel like you’re the main character.

There was no production studio. No million-dollar budget. Just a CS-student from Canada and a dream to reshape Gen Z.

Dennis Han showed that Gen Z doesn’t need a marketer.

They need an advocate.