This disclosure is directed to reducing connection time in direct wireless interaction. Devices may interact via direct (e.g., device-to-device or “D2D”) wireless communication. As part of connection setup operations, a device may receive an invitation to join an existing wireless group. For example, an invitation message may be received by the device on at least one known beaconing channel. The invitation message received by the device may at least identify an operating channel on which connection establishment operations will commence. Following completion of the connection setup operations, the device may initiate scanning on the operating channel identified by the invitation message to expedite the start of connection establishment operations. After connection establishment operations are complete, the device may be able to interact with at least one other device via direct wireless interaction.