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Gen Z dating app Ditto uses AI matchmaking to replace swiping

Created at 6 Aug · 4:11 PM1 source↑ Market-relevant
IN SHORT

Ditto, a new dating app founded by former UC Berkeley students, is ditching the swipe-based model in favor of AI matchmaking. The app uses a chatbot to gather user data and preferences, aiming to create more genuine connections and reduce the friction of traditional dating apps.

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Key Numbers

20%matches end up going on a date
150,000signups for Ditto
$9.2 millionseed funding raised
7 pmweekly match time

Who's Involved

Ditto
AI-powered dating initiative replacing swipe-based apps
Allen Wang
Co-founder of Ditto
Eric Liu
Co-founder of Ditto
Gradient
Investor in Ditto
Peak XV
Investor in Ditto
Scribble
Investor in Ditto
Severin Hacker
Duolingo co-founder who reached out to Ditto
Gen Z dating app Ditto uses AI matchmaking to replace swiping

↳ Why This Matters

Ditto's approach signals a potential shift in the online dating landscape, moving away from gamified swiping towards more curated, AI-driven matchmaking that prioritizes deeper compatibility and reduces user friction.

Key facts

  • Ditto is a dating app that uses AI matchmaking instead of swiping.
  • The app collects user data through a chatbot to understand personality and preferences.
  • Ditto aims to create more genuine connections by identifying deeper personality signals.
  • Matches are provided weekly with a set time and location for dates.
  • The platform has garnered 150,000 signups and reports a 20% match-to-date conversion rate.
  • Ditto has raised $9.2 million in seed funding.

Gen Z is reportedly growing weary of traditional swipe-based dating apps, leading to the emergence of alternatives like Ditto. This app, co-founded by Allen Wang and Eric Liu after they left UC Berkeley, aims to foster more genuine connections by utilizing AI matchmaking. Instead of endless swiping and small talk, Ditto employs a chatbot that guides users through an onboarding process, gathering detailed information about their personality, interests, and preferences. The AI then matches users not just on superficial similarities, but on deeper personality signals it believes predict chemistry.

Users receive a match every Wednesday at 7 p.m., complete with a suggested time and location for a date. The platform collects feedback after each date to refine future matches. Ditto has amassed 150,000 signups, with a reported 20% of its matches leading to actual dates. The app also uses a collage-like graphic to introduce matches, a popular aesthetic among Gen Z.

Safety is a consideration, and currently, Ditto operates at a few dozen colleges, leveraging .edu email addresses for a built-in vetting process. The company is focused on scaling safely to more institutions and eventually beyond college campuses. Ditto has secured $9.2 million in seed funding from investors like Gradient, Peak XV, and Scribble, with much of the interest coming from inbound inquiries. The company has twelve full-time employees and is known for its unconventional marketing, such as viral videos and promotional parties, to attract its target demographic.

Frequently asked questions

Ditto is a dating initiative that uses AI matchmaking to connect users for dates, aiming to provide a more genuine experience than traditional swipe-based apps.

Ditto's AI chatbot collects detailed information about users' personalities and preferences, then matches them based on deeper signals it believes predict chemistry, rather than just surface-level interests.

Users receive a match every Wednesday at 7 p.m., which includes a suggested time and location for the date.

Ditto has 150,000 signups and has raised $9.2 million in seed funding from investors like Gradient, Peak XV, and Scribble.

What Happens Next

01Ditto plans to expand to more colleges.
02The company is exploring ways to scale safely beyond college campuses.
03Ditto will continue to refine its AI matchmaking algorithm based on user feedback.

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Cadence

How It Developed

Ditto co-founders Allen Wang and Eric Liu launched a dating initiative to connect peers without traditional swipe-based apps.
Ditto uses an AI chatbot for onboarding, collecting biographical information, personality traits, and dating preferences.
The AI algorithm matches users based on deeper personality signals rather than surface-level interests.
Users receive a match with a time and location every Wednesday, with feedback collected to improve future matches.
Ditto has 150,000 signups, with approximately 20% of matches resulting in dates.
The app has secured $9.2 million in seed funding from investors including Gradient, Peak XV, and Scribble.
Ditto is currently focused on expanding to more colleges while ensuring user safety and vetting processes.

Sources

T1
Gen Z dating apps like Ditto ditch swiping in favor of AI matchmakingTechCrunch

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