Key Takeaways
- Ditto, an iMessage-based dating app for college students, has raised $9.2 million to eliminate swiping and focus on facilitating real dates.
- The company plans and handles date logistics, aiming to reduce the friction and anxiety of traditional online dating.
- The seed funding round was led by Peak XV Partners and will support expansion to more college campuses.
Students are increasingly fatigued by the endless cycle of swiping and stalled conversations on existing dating apps. Ditto aims to fundamentally change the college dating experience by prioritizing actual in-person meetings over digital interaction.
Founded by Berkeley undergraduates Allen Wang and Eric Liu, the company operates entirely through iMessage. Users specify their preferences, and Ditto curates a complete date plan, including the match's details, time, and location, all coordinated around campus life. This approach seeks to remove the inefficiencies and anxieties commonly associated with online dating platforms, which often incentivize engagement over successful connections. The platform boasts a 20% match-to-date conversion rate.
Funding and Expansion
The $9.2 million seed round, led by Peak XV Partners with participation from Gradient, Scribble Ventures, Alumni Ventures, and Llama Venture, will fuel Ditto's expansion. The company has seen significant organic growth, with over 42,000 users across four campuses and a referral rate exceeding 25%. This funding will enable Ditto to scale its operations and bring its unique approach to more universities nationwide.
Ditto's strategy directly addresses a growing sentiment among young people seeking more authentic, real-world interactions. By handling the logistical complexities of planning dates, Ditto allows users to focus on genuine connection. The company plans to leverage AI for improved matching and aims to eventually expand its matchmaking services beyond romantic relationships to professional networking and social events.
As part of its expansion, Ditto is organizing 10 large-scale yacht parties across the U.S. starting Valentine's Day in Los Angeles. These events will feature blind dates facilitated by Ditto's algorithm, aiming to create memorable offline experiences for college students. This initiative underscores Ditto's commitment to fostering real-world connections and moving beyond the limitations of screen-based interactions.
