Schmooze Secures $4 Million in Series A Funding to Revolutionize Dating with AI and Memes

• ByStartupStory     |    September 18, 2024

Schmooze, the innovative AI-driven meme-based dating platform, has successfully raised $4 million in a Series A funding round led by Elevation Capital. The investment round also welcomed participation from notable angel investors, including the founders of UltraHuman, The Souled Store, Mosaic Wellness, and Paytm. The funds will be used to enhance Schmooze’s AI capabilities and scale its user acquisition efforts.

Founded by Vidya Madhavan and Abhinav Anurag, Schmooze was created in response to widespread dissatisfaction with traditional dating apps that often prioritize appearance over personality. Madhavan and Anurag aimed to develop a platform that fosters genuine connections through shared humor and personality rather than superficial traits.

“Schmooze was born out of the frustration we saw our peers experiencing with existing dating apps,” said Vidya Madhavan. “When I was at Stanford, I noticed how tired people were of the superficial swiping culture. They wanted more than just looks; they craved a connection beyond the surface. And then it hit me—memes are the new language of connection for Gen Z. Memes are not just funny pictures; they’re windows into our personalities. So, we combined this insight with AI to create Schmooze, where your meme swipes are the key to finding your perfect match.”

In just ten months since its launch, Schmooze has attracted over 1 million users and recorded 900 million meme swipes. The platform boasts a 3x better ratio of female to male users compared to other mainstream dating sites. Schmooze’s AI engine, which evolves with each meme interaction, creates detailed digital personas, enhancing the dating experience by providing quirky insights like, “You both have annoying relatives.” This feature, known as “Schmooze Predicts,” aims to make initial conversations more engaging and enjoyable. Additionally, the AI engine includes ‘Genie,’ a coach that boosts user storytelling abilities, fostering more authentic expressions.

Abhinav Anurag, co-founder of Schmooze, highlighted the platform’s future plans: “We are quickly expanding to other forms of content. The firm is also developing features like Roast AI, which simulates conversations with a stand-up comedian, and Rant AI, a digital diary that responds to user inputs. These additions aim to address the loneliness and social disconnection faced by Gen Z.”

Amit Aggarwal, principal at Elevation Capital, praised Schmooze’s unique approach: “Schmooze is an experience matching the psyche of today’s youth, offering a vibe-check that resonates with their unique cultural language.”

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