Voice AI Dating App Known Raises $9.7M to Revolutionize How We Find Love
BitcoinWorld
Voice AI Dating App Known Raises $9.7M to Revolutionize How We Find Love
In a world where swipe fatigue and digital loneliness plague modern dating, a groundbreaking startup has emerged with a compelling solution. Known, a San Francisco-based dating app, is leveraging voice AI technology to transform how people connect, moving beyond superficial profiles to foster genuine, in-person relationships. With an impressive $9.7 million in recent funding, this innovative approach is capturing attention from major investors like Forerunner and NFX, signaling a potential paradigm shift in the multi-billion dollar dating industry.
How Does Voice AI Create Better Matches?
The core innovation of Known lies in its voice-powered onboarding system. Instead of filling out tedious forms, users engage in a conversational interview with an AI agent. This dynamic interaction allows the system to ask follow-up questions based on previous answers, uncovering nuanced preferences that users might not think to include in a written profile. The average onboarding session lasts 26 minutes, with some users spending over an hour and a half—a testament to how engaging and revealing the process can be.
Celeste Amadon, co-founder of Known, explains the breakthrough: “For the first time, we could know enough about somebody to serve them a date that would make sense. And if we could do that much faster with less rejection rate, we could create a user experience that could get people out on more dates.”
Why Are Investors Betting on This AI Dating Startup?
The startup’s $9.7 million funding round represents significant validation from the venture capital community. Notably, this marks Forerunner Ventures’ first investment in a dating app, with partner Eurie Kim highlighting the unique approach: “Celeste is a really thoughtful founder to understand the mindset of the consumer, which is a young female. In a conversation, you can get a lot of those nuances out, but in the past, the conversation required a $10,000 matchmaker.”
Key investors include:
- Forerunner Ventures (first dating app investment)
- NFX
- PearVC
- Coelius Capital
What Results Has This Dating App Achieved?
During its San Francisco beta testing phase, Known demonstrated remarkable effectiveness. The platform reported that 80% of its introductions led to physical dates—a significantly higher conversion rate than traditional swipe-based apps. This success stems from several innovative features:
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Voice AI Onboarding | Captures authentic personality traits and preferences |
| 24-Hour Response Window | Reduces ghosting and encourages timely connections |
| AI-Powered Match Suggestions | Provides personalized recommendations based on deep understanding |
| Restaurant Selection Assistance | Helps plan ideal first date locations |
How Does Known Encourage More In-Person Dates?
The app’s design philosophy centers on moving connections from digital to physical spaces as quickly as possible. When two users match, they have 24 hours to accept the introduction and another 24 hours to agree to a date. This time-limited approach prevents endless messaging and encourages real-world meetings. After dates, users provide feedback to the AI, which refines future match suggestions.
Amadon addresses the broader social context: “There’s been a million pieces written about the loneliness epidemic in the U.S. And I do really think that it’s our generation’s largest problem.” This perspective drove her and co-founder Asher Allen to drop out of Stanford and build Known.
What’s Next for AI Dating Technology?
Known is part of a growing trend of AI-enhanced dating platforms. Other startups, including Overtone from Hinge CEO Justin McLeod, are exploring similar territory. Even established players like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge are integrating AI features to maintain user engagement.
Despite increasing competition, Amadon remains optimistic: “When it comes to other startup dating products, I’ve been so happy to see a lot of people building in the space because I think it shows that it’s time to shift away from a swipe-based model.”
The company currently charges $30 per successful date during its beta phase but plans to experiment with different pricing models. With three full-time engineers and four go-to-market specialists, plus several contractors, Known plans to expand its team using the recent funding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Known?
Known is a dating app that uses voice AI technology to create more meaningful matches and encourage in-person dates.
Who founded Known?
The company was founded by Celeste Amadon and Asher Allen, both Stanford dropouts who previously worked on AI-powered applications.
Which investors have funded Known?
The startup has raised $9.7 million from investors including Forerunner Ventures, NFX, PearVC, and Coelius Capital.
How does Known’s voice AI work?
Users engage in a conversational interview with an AI agent that asks dynamic follow-up questions, creating a more authentic and detailed profile than traditional forms.
When will Known launch publicly?
The app is currently in beta testing in San Francisco and plans to launch early next year.
How successful has Known been in testing?
In its San Francisco beta, 80% of introductions led to physical dates, significantly higher than industry averages for swipe-based apps.
The Future of Connection
Known represents a transformative approach to digital dating, leveraging voice AI to combat the loneliness epidemic through genuine human connection. By focusing on quality over quantity and prioritizing in-person meetings, the startup addresses fundamental flaws in existing dating platforms. With substantial investor backing and promising early results, Known is positioned to redefine how technology facilitates romance in the modern age.
To learn more about the latest AI dating trends and innovations, explore our article on key developments shaping how artificial intelligence is transforming human relationships and connection.
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