Why this startup founder scrapped her dating app to build a LinkedIn rival powered by AI

Clara Gold, a visionary entrepreneur from France, has made a significant shift in her startup's direction, moving away from an AI-enhanced dating app to create a platform aimed at professional networking. Her company, Gigi, seeks to transform how individuals forge meaningful professional relationships. Gold identified a crucial gap in existing networking platforms like LinkedIn, where connections often don't lead to genuine introductions or recommendations. She believes that by leveraging AI, Gigi can offer more accurate insights into professional relationships. The platform utilizes user-supplied data, including calendar access, to analyze regular interactions and assess the strength of connections. "We consider the calendar to be the most reliable indicator of who you actually know," Gold explained. By analyzing context around users' connections and their ongoing projects, Gigi can suggest relevant introductions that align with users' professional needs, whether that’s hiring talent or seeking investment opportunities. For instance, if a user’s friend has a meeting with a potentially valuable contact, Gigi will prompt that friend to facilitate an introduction. This AI-driven approach not only personalizes recommendations but also actively encourages networking. Launched in September as an invite-only beta in the U.S. and Europe, Gigi is set to broaden its reach by 2026. The startup recently secured $3 million in funding led by Khosla Ventures, raising its total funding to $8 million, which will be allocated towards hiring engineers in San Francisco and enhancing its AI capabilities. Gold's vision is shared by prominent investors like Sequoia Capital and OpenAI, who are keen on the evolution of professional networking. Other emerging platforms, such as Boardy and Happenstance, are also entering the arena, aiming to revolutionize how professionals connect using AI. However, these innovations come with challenges. Users are often required to share extensive personal data, including access to contacts and calendars, which can deter some from adopting these new technologies. Gold acknowledges the difficulty of this request but hopes to attract young professionals who are more open to experimenting with novel tech solutions. Prior to Gigi, Gold had developed two AI projects, including a chatbot named Ava and a dating app that initially served as Gigi's foundation. However, she found the dating app experience frustrating, as it was predicated on creating temporary connections that would ultimately result in users moving on. This realization led her to question the feasibility of building a dating product in today's online environment. Gold's transition from dating to professional networking stems from her belief that while the dating landscape is challenging, there remains a vast opportunity for enhancing professional interactions through technology. She remains hopeful that someone will eventually crack the code for online dating, but for now, her focus is on making a lasting impact in the professional networking space.