Sitch Dating App Combines AI & Human Matchmaking
▼ Summary
– Sitch is a new AI-powered dating app that uses human matchmaking expertise and large language models (LLMs) to improve compatibility matching, moving away from swipe-based models.
– The app’s onboarding involves answering nearly 50 detailed questions via text or voice, with AI suggesting matches and facilitating group chats for feedback.
– Co-founder Nandini Mullaji, inspired by her matchmaker grandmother, believes current dating apps lack sufficient data for long-term compatibility, which Sitch aims to address.
– Sitch charges users per match setup in packs ($89.99-$159.99) and has raised $7M in funding, backed by investors like M13 and a16z speedrun.
– The app is currently available only in New York but plans to expand, focusing on quality and safety by manually vetting profiles while competing with established apps like Tinder and Bumble.
Finding meaningful connections in the digital dating world just got smarter with Sitch, a new app blending artificial intelligence with human matchmaking expertise. Unlike swipe-heavy platforms, this innovative approach focuses on compatibility through deeper profiling and personalized recommendations, offering users a fresh alternative to traditional dating apps.
Most dating platforms prioritize quick sign-ups and endless scrolling through profiles. Users typically upload photos, answer a few basic questions, and let algorithms suggest matches based on superficial data. Sitch takes a different route, its AI-powered system mimics the insights of a professional matchmaker, guiding users toward more compatible partners without relying on mindless swiping.
The brainchild of Nandini Mullaji, whose family background includes generations of matchmakers, Sitch was born from the belief that current apps fail to foster lasting relationships. “Matchmaking is fundamentally a data challenge,” Mullaji explains. “Traditional apps lack the depth to assess long-term compatibility, but by combining AI with human intuition, we can bridge that gap.”
Mullaji, a Stanford Business School alum with experience in dating and education ventures, teamed up with Chad DePue, former CTO of Whisper and Snap engineer, to bring this vision to life. Their solution? A sophisticated onboarding process where users answer nearly 50 questions, via text or voice, to help the AI understand their personality, values, and preferences.
Once profiles are complete, the AI suggests potential matches. If both parties agree, they’re placed in a group chat with the AI acting as a mediator. Users can provide feedback at any stage, refining future recommendations. “People share far more openly knowing their data isn’t public,” DePue notes. “That trust lets us deliver better matches over time.”
The startup trained its models using 75+ matchmaking parameters derived from Mullaji’s expertise, then fine-tuned them with user feedback. Instead of endless swiping, Sitch charges per match, with packages starting at $89.99 for three setups. This pay-per-match model eliminates the need for engagement-driven gimmicks common in free apps.
Backed by $7 million in funding, including investments from M13 and a16z speedrun, Sitch is currently available only in New York but plans to expand soon. Anna Barber of M13 highlights the appeal: “This isn’t about gamifying dating, it’s about scaling personalized matchmaking to those who’d never hire a professional.”
While giants like Tinder and Bumble also integrate AI, Sitch bets on users craving deeper connections. With slowing growth in swipe-based apps, its focus on intentional dating could carve a niche in a crowded market.
Available now on the App Store, Sitch offers a refreshing take on digital romance, one where AI learns from human wisdom to help users find love, not just likes.
(Source: TechCrunch)
