A Stanford grad student created an algorithm to help his classmates find love; now, Date Drop is the basis of his new startup

As Valentine's Day draws near, many Stanford students are preparing for dates, but not through traditional platforms like Tinder or Hinge. Instead, they’re turning to Date Drop, an innovative service created by Stanford graduate student Henry Weng. This platform connects students with potential partners weekly based on detailed questionnaire responses. Weng, a talented young entrepreneur, aims to shake up the online dating landscape from his dorm in Palo Alto. With a growing sense of dissatisfaction among young adults regarding conventional dating apps, Date Drop offers a refreshing alternative. Since its launch last fall, over 5,000 students at Stanford have tried the service, which has also expanded to ten additional universities, including MIT, Princeton, and the University of Pennsylvania. Weng envisions a broader rollout in select cities this summer. "Our matches convert to actual dates at about 10 times the rate of Tinder," Weng shared with TechCrunch. He emphasizes a more profound approach to matchmaking, focusing on compatibility rather than endless swiping. Initially, Weng didn’t plan to turn Date Drop into a startup, but a significant moment occurred when a close friend successfully met their partner through the service. This experience made Weng realize that Date Drop could evolve into something more substantial. Now, Weng considers Date Drop just the beginning of his venture, the Relationship Company, which operates as a public benefit corporation. This structure obliges the company to prioritize social impact alongside profit. "What started as a campus project transformed into a business because of the demand from other schools, requiring resources to meet that need," he explained. To date, Weng has secured several million dollars in funding from notable angel investors, including Zynga founder Mark Pincus and Elad Gil, an early supporter of companies like Airbnb and Stripe. "The long-term vision for The Relationship Company is to facilitate all types of meaningful relationships, from friendships to professional connections," he stated. While many dating apps utilize algorithms to gauge compatibility, Weng’s model is tailored for fostering long-term relationships. Impressively, 95% of Date Drop users express interest in serious connections. He attributes this to two main components: a comprehensive questionnaire that captures users' true identities and a robust compatibility prediction model informed by actual dating outcomes. Currently pursuing a master’s degree in computer science at Stanford, Weng has focused his studies on economic and mathematical principles of matching. He even created his own major as an undergraduate to explore human interactions, matching, and incentives. "I began to see how matching influences various aspects of our lives, from friendships to career choices," Weng reflected. In addition to his technical background, Weng found unexpected value in an unconventional class, "Intro to Clown," which taught him to embrace failure as a natural part of the entrepreneurial journey. "Your path as a product builder is filled with challenges, and clowning beautifully encapsulates that experience," he said. The Relationship Company currently employs two staff members alongside 12 campus ambassadors. Weng promotes a culture of relationship-building within his team, offering a monthly $100 stipend for employees to enhance their personal connections. "Relationships are crucial to well-being, and research shows spending on others can boost happiness more than spending on oneself," he noted. Weng’s insights into relationship formation have also enriched his personal life. "Date Drop has opened my eyes to the fascinating individuals I wouldn’t typically meet. It has encouraged me to be more receptive to new connections," he concluded.