INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Vidya Madhavan, Founder, Schmooze3 min read Last Updated : Sep 18 2024 | 6:10 AM IST
Schmooze, an AI-powered meme-based dating platform,
has closed its series A round of $4 million, led by Elevation Capital
The round also saw participation from angel investors, including the founders of UltraHuman, The Souled Store, Mosaic Wellness, and Paytm
Powered by over 1 billion meme interactions, the platform will use the funding to further enhance its AI, with a continued focus on scaling
user acquisition efforts.
According to the founders, Vidya Madhavan and Abhinav Anurag, Schmooze was born out of the frustration they saw
their peers experiencing with the existing dating apps, which prioritised matching users only on appearance, leading to poor quality
has attracted over 1 million users and witnessed 900 million meme swipes
The firm said the platform has a 3x better ratio of female to male users compared to other mainstream dating sites.
Reflecting on the
They wanted more than just looks; they craved a connection beyond the surface
Anurag, co-founder, said the firm is quickly expanding to other forms of content.
Schmooze's AI engine evolves with each meme interaction,
intricately crafting distinct digital personas that transcend simple meme categorisation
lighthearted predictions help break the ice and make conversations more enjoyable
authenticity.
The dating app market in India and globally is evolving rapidly, with users seeking deeper connections in an increasingly
Talking about the investment, Amit Aggarwal, principal at Elevation Capital, said Schmooze is an experience matching the psyche of today's
youth, offering a vibe-check that resonates with their unique cultural language.
Going beyond dating, Schmooze also aims to help counter
the loneliness and social disconnection that Gen Z is combating
For this, there are features like Roast AI, which simulates conversations with a stand-up comedian, and Rant AI, a digital diary that
responds to user inputs.First Published: Sep 18 2024 | 6:10 AMIST
