Sitch’s new dating app fuses human matchmaking and AI

In a bid to revolutionize the dating app landscape, Sitch has emerged with an innovative platform that blends human matchmaking expertise with advanced artificial intelligence. The app seeks to address the common dissatisfaction users experience with existing platforms that prioritize swiping and quick profile setups over meaningful connections. Sitch's co-founder, Nandini Mullaji, draws inspiration from her grandmother, a seasoned matchmaker. She emphasizes that despite the prevalence of apps like Match and Bumble, many users feel they're not finding suitable matches. "Matchmaking is fundamentally a data problem," Mullaji explains. "Traditional apps often lack the depth of information needed to evaluate long-term compatibility between users." With a background in various dating and educational projects, including Bumble's launch in India, Mullaji is well-equipped to tackle this challenge. Partnered with Chad DePue, former CTO of the anonymous social network Whisper, the duo aims to leverage large language models (LLMs) to enhance the matchmaking experience. Sitch takes a unique approach to onboarding, utilizing its AI to pose nearly 50 questions to users, who can respond via text or voice. This process allows the app to gather nuanced details that go beyond simple profiles. Once users complete their profiles, the AI matchmaker suggests potential matches. If both parties express interest, they are connected in a group chat that includes the AI, which continues to refine match suggestions based on user feedback. Feedback is a critical component of Sitch’s approach, allowing users to share insights about their matches even after real-life dates. DePue highlights the trust users place in the platform, noting, "We are continually amazed at how openly users share information during onboarding and afterwards, knowing their data remains private." Initially, the startup trained its AI with over 75 matchmaking parameters sourced from Mullaji's expertise, continually refining its algorithms with user feedback. Sitch's service operates on a pay-per-match basis, offering packages of three, five, or eight matches at prices ranging from $89.99 to $159.99. Backed by $5 million in seed funding from firms like M13 and a16z, with a total of $7 million raised to date, Sitch's vision has garnered attention within the venture capital community. Anna Barber of M13 expressed enthusiasm for the startup's model, which mirrors traditional matchmaking processes where users interact with a matchmaker before and after dates, providing ongoing feedback. Currently available only in New York, Sitch plans to expand its services to additional cities this year while ensuring quality and safety through manual profile checks. The company faces competition from larger dating platforms that are also integrating AI features, but Sitch is banking on a shift away from swipe-based systems as users seek more genuine connections. With a focus on serious dating and personalized service, Sitch aims to carve out a unique niche in the crowded dating app market. The app is now live on the Apple App Store.