A new social networking club hopes to appeal to busy professionals who have little time to organise their social life.

Cosmopolitan Events, which is holding its launch event today, is aimed at those who want to further their social or business circle in an informal setting.

Managing director Katharine Crawford came up with the idea after her research revealed that, although there were plenty of dating websites and professional networking organisations, there was nothing targeted at professionals who needed something a little less formal.

"People find it hard to meet new groups of friends, business acquaintances or new partners," she said.

A former employee of The Irish Timesadvertising department, Ms Crawford said she wanted to put the skills she had learned into practice.

The club is aimed initially at professional people in their late 20s to late 40s, although Ms Crawford said she hoped to diversify into other age groups as the business developed.

The group will charge members an annual fee of €175, with a minimum of four events a month planned. The promised events include dinners, buffets, drinks receptions, weekends away and wine-tasting evenings.

Ms Crawford said the response so far had been positive.

In particular, Cosmopolitan Events will target overseas workers who may have recently arrived in Ireland.