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The founder of Hinge raised $18M to build a new AI dating service, Overtone

Hinge founder Justin McLeod secured $18M in funding for his new AI-driven dating service, Overtone, which aims to provide curated introductions based on voice and audio, departing from traditional dating app norms. Supported by Match Group and other investors, Overtone focuses on fostering meaningful connections rather than swiping and profiles, addressing user dissatisfaction with existing dating platforms.

Key points

  • Justin McLeod, founder of Hinge, raised $18 million for a new dating service named Overtone.
  • Match Group, which owns Hinge, Tinder, and OkCupid, is among the funding supporters.
  • Overtone is designed as a voice- and audio-centric service that emphasizes curated introductions over profile-based matching.
  • McLeod's shift from traditional dating methods reflects a growing user dissatisfaction; a 2024 Forbes Health survey indicated that 78% of dating app users felt burnt out, despite spending over 51 minutes per day on such apps.
  • Overtone plans to use AI not just for matchmaking but to understand users in depth, providing curated introductions based on their unique stories.
  • McLeod's approach contrasts with other apps that offer AI-driven conversations, instead seeking to reduce the overwhelming choices presented in conventional dating applications.
  • New apps like Ditto and Date Drop are also adopting similar AI-based strategies to improve user experiences.

Why it matters

  • The evolution towards AI in dating apps aligns with broader 2025 IT Trends focusing on personalized technologies and user experience.
  • In the wake of increased user fatigue with conventional swiping apps, there is a demand for deeper, more meaningful connections, reflective of a larger trend in the tech industry towards authenticity and quality over quantity.
  • The trend in online dating reflects a shift in social interactions that many tech companies are adapting to by leveraging AI for enhanced personalization and relationship building.

Overtone's focus on AI-driven, curated introductions aims to innovate the dating landscape, addressing user frustrations with existing models, and signifies a potential shift towards deeper connections in the digital dating world.