Vidya Madhavan, founder of Schmooze
Schmooze, a meme-based, AI-powered dating platform, has closed its $4 million Series A funding round, led by Elevation Capital. Angel investors including the founders of UltraHuman, The Souled Store, Mosaic Wellness, and Paytm also participated in the round. Fueled by over 1 billion meme interactions, the platform will use the funding to further improve its AI, with a continued focus on scaling user acquisition efforts.
According to founders Vidya Madhavan and Abhinav Anurag, Schmooze was born out of the frustration they saw their peers experiencing with existing dating apps, which prioritized matching users based on looks alone, leading to poor quality connections. So they set out to create a platform that matched users based on their personalities and shared sense of humor; memes proved to be the bridge to predict compatibility and foster meaningful connections.
In just 10 months since its launch in India, Schmooze claimed to have attracted over 1 million users and witnessed 900 million memes. The company claimed that the platform has a three times better ratio of female users compared to other mainstream dating sites.
Reflecting on the app’s trajectory, Vidya Madhavan said, “When I was at Stanford, I noticed how tired people were of the superficial swipe 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 aren’t just funny pictures; they’re windows into our personalities. So, we combined this knowledge with AI to create Schmooze, where your meme swipes are the key to finding your perfect match.”
Abhinav Anurag, co-founder, said the company is rapidly expanding into other forms of content.
Schmooze’s AI engine evolves with each interaction with a meme, creating distinct digital characters that transcend simple meme categorization. Through “Schmooze Predicts,” the AI generates quirky insights into potential matches, such as “They both have annoying relatives.” These lighthearted predictions help break the ice and make conversations more enjoyable. The AI engine also functions as an advanced coach, called “Genie,” that enhances users’ storytelling skills to amplify their expression and authenticity.
The dating app market in India and around the world is evolving rapidly, with users seeking deeper connections in an increasingly digital world. Speaking about the investment, Amit Aggarwal, Director, Elevation Capital, said Schmooze is an experience that caters to the mindset of today’s youth and offers an experience that resonates with their unique cultural language.
Beyond dating, Schmooze also aims to help counter the loneliness and social disconnection that Gen Z is battling. To that end, there are features like Roast AI, which simulates conversations with a comedian, and Rant AI, a digital journal that responds to user input.
First published: September 18, 2024 | 6:10 am IS
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