Celeste Amadon and Asher Allen were developing an AI-driven app for booking restaurant dates when they uncovered a larger concept aimed at promoting in-person meetings. This innovative approach is gaining traction among investors.
The pair designed a voice-activated AI onboarding system for their app, which allowed them to gather insights about users without requiring form completion. They found that users enjoyed conversing, leading to an average onboarding session length of 26 minutes. This discovery led to the creation of Known, a dating startup based in San Francisco.
“For the first time, we can gather enough information about someone to suggest a suitable date. If we can do this more quickly and with fewer rejections, we can enhance the user experience and encourage more dates,” Amadon stated.
Initial results indicated promising potential.
During its testing phase in San Francisco, Known reported that 80% of its introductions resulted in actual dates, significantly outperforming traditional swipe-based dating apps. Encouraged by these findings, the startup has secured $9.7 million in funding from investors such as Forerunner, NFX, PearVC, and Coelius Capital. Notably, this marks Forerunner’s first investment in a dating app.
“Celeste is a thoughtful founder who understands the mindset of young female consumers. While others may focus on the male demographic, she addresses the unspoken desires and needs of young women, which are often overlooked in traditional profiles. Conversations can reveal these nuances, whereas previously, such insights required a costly matchmaker,” remarked Eurie Kim, a partner at Forerunner.
Amadon expressed her commitment to social impact and views dating as a significant challenge for her generation.
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“Numerous articles have highlighted the loneliness epidemic in the U.S., which I believe is our generation’s most pressing issue,” Amadon stated, noting that both she and Allen left Stanford to pursue this venture.
The app, currently in beta testing in San Francisco, employs voice AI for onboarding, allowing users to answer questions without filling out forms. This method enables the startup to gather more information about users, resulting in some onboarding sessions lasting up to an hour and 38 minutes.
When users type their responses, they tend to edit them, whereas voice interactions feel more personal. The AI can ask dynamic follow-up questions based on the conversation, such as inquiring about a user’s experiences after moving to a new city.
After onboarding, the AI suggests potential matches. Users can inquire about these profiles and express interest. Once matched, they have 24 hours to accept the introduction and another 24 hours to agree on a date. This approach aims to minimize prolonged chats and ghosting, encouraging real-life meetings. Following their dates, users can provide feedback to the AI for improved match recommendations.
Known has retained elements of its original restaurant concept, assisting users in selecting dining venues based on preferences. The app also integrates AI chat and calendar features to help users communicate their availability for first dates. During the beta phase, the company charged $30 for each successful date, though it plans to explore various pricing models.
Currently, the startup employs three full-time engineers and four individuals focused on market strategy, with additional contractors supporting various functions. Amadon, who has a background in politics, and Allen, who previously worked on product development at an AI-driven shopping app, plan to expand their team with the new funding.
Known is actively testing in San Francisco and aims to launch early next year.
Several other startups, including Hinge CEO Justin McLeod’s new app Overtone, are also leveraging AI to enhance user matching. Many of these companies aim to offer personalized matchmaking services at a fraction of traditional costs. Established platforms like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge are also integrating AI features to engage their user base. Despite the increasing competition, Amadon welcomes the developments.
“I’m pleased to see many new dating products emerging, as it indicates a shift away from the swipe-based model. Most of the new offerings I’ve encountered differ significantly from what we are creating at Known,” she concluded.
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