The Future of Dating Transformed by Voice AI: Is AI Increasing the Number of Dates? A New Generation of Matching That Uncovers Compatibility Just by "Talking" Secures Funding

AI as a Prescription for the "Want to Meet but Can't" Era

Matching apps have made it possible to "search" for connections worldwide. However, many people feel overwhelmed by the oversupply of encounters and the resulting fatigue.

Endless candidates appear. Conversations continue. Yet, they don't progress to actual meetings. "Swipe fatigue," "endless chats," and "ghosting" have become common phrases in modern romance.

Aiming to reduce such "friction before meeting" with AI is the San Francisco-based startup Known. Their proposition is simple yet provocative.

AI is not meant to replace human relationships but rather to increase "face-to-face opportunities."

What Known is doing: Ditching swipes to explore "personality" through voice

The core of Known lies in the pre-matching phase. Unlike typical apps that let users choose partners based on "photos + short profiles + lists of likes," Known starts with conversations with a voice AI.

Instead of form inputs, users talk as if on a phone call. The AI asks questions, delves into responses, and follows up if necessary. As a result, onboarding takes an average of 26 minutes, extending up to 1 hour and 38 minutes for some.

What's interesting here is that the length of time itself is not a "cause of dropout" but rather a value of the experience. With text input, we unconsciously edit for "better phrasing." With voice, the choice of words, pauses, tempo, and enthusiasm come through, revealing nuances that can't be written in a profile.

Known uses this "nuance" as material to move to the next step.

Designing for "Meeting": Keeping the "Temperature" with a 24-Hour Rule

Known's flow is designed to prevent prolonged chats.

1. After completing voice onboarding, AI presents candidates

2. Users can ask AI about profiles (background, reasons for compatibility, etc.)

3. If interested, tap "Interested"

4. If both parties agree, an introduction is made

5. Accept the introduction within 24 hours, and agree to a date within another 24 hours

This "time box" targets the greatest enemies in romance—procrastination and cooling of feelings.

While message exchanges can be fun, they can also easily confine relationships "within text." Meeting plans get postponed, and before you know it, messages are left unread or fade out. Known's design prevents this, prompting a quick decision on "whether to meet or not."

In Beta: "80% of Introductions Lead to In-Person Dates"—The Numbers Indicate a "Different Experience"

Known explains that during its test run in San Francisco, about 80% of introductions led to in-person dates.

The scale of this number, the period it covers, and how strictly "dates" are defined need further verification. Nonetheless, considering the challenges faced by swipe-based apps, it's understandable why investors reacted to the "direction of the product."

Revenue Model Leans Toward "Success Fee": In Beta, "30 Dollars per Successful Date"

Known originally started with the idea of "AI handling restaurant reservations." This concept remains, as Known also assists in choosing venues for initial dates based on preferences gathered from conversations.

Additionally, AI chat and calendar integration help share available times.

The approach to charging is intriguing. In beta, they tested a model where **"30 dollars is charged when a date is successful."** Unlike subscription models that profit the longer users stay on the app, Known aims for a design where "meeting and moving on (or graduating with a partner)" is considered a success.

However, the fee is not fixed, and various models will be experimented with in the future.

Funding: Forerunner's "First Dating App Investment" is Symbolic

Known has raised a total of 9.7 million dollars. Investors include Forerunner, NFX, Pear VC, and Coelius Capital.

Notably symbolic is that this is reportedly Forerunner's "first dating app investment." The investor's comment that "conversation can draw out the unspoken needs of female users" supports Known's "voice" strategy.

Social Media Reaction: On LinkedIn, Expectations are High for "AI Bringing Romance Back to 'Reality'"

On public social media, at least for now, there is no significant backlash or wave of criticism, with positive reactions prevalent in the investor and entrepreneur community (especially on LinkedIn).

1) From the VC and Supporter Side: The Era of "Curation" After Swiping

A post from a Pear VC associate describes the transition of romance products from "search → swipe → AI," moving from infinite candidates to "intentional introductions." Known's features, such as the 26-minute voice onboarding, 24-hour rule, and high in-person date rate, are highlighted, with a metaphor of a "matchmaker in your pocket worth 10,000 dollars" also appearing.

2) From the Founder's Side: Declaration to Reverse the 'Purpose of the App'

Founder Celeste Amadon's post succinctly expresses Known's philosophy. The gist is, "Traditional apps were designed to increase 'time spent' rather than the number of dates. Known reverses this, stops swiping, understands personality through voice, and curates real-world dates."

3) From the Investor Side: Discussing the Social Impact on 'Loneliness'

Forerunner's official post describes Known's mission as promoting "richer relationships," positioning it as a product addressing loneliness and the dilution of relationships, rather than just a dating service.

4) Remaining Issues: Voice Data, Algorithms, and Safety

Despite the positive atmosphere, there are unavoidable issues due to the nature of the product.

• Voice Data and Privacy: Voice carries more "individuality" than text. While Known's terms of use specify rights regarding voice recordings and AI transcription data, including disclosure, deletion, and opting out of learning use, how well users understand and trust this is crucial.

• Bias and Accountability: While AI's ability to explain "why this match" is an advantage, a black-box decision-making process could lead to distrust.

• Safety: The faster the time limit to meet, the more important the design for identity verification, malicious user countermeasures, and trouble response becomes.

Is Known "Optimizing Romance" or "Bringing Romance Back to Reality"?

When hearing about AI romance, it's easy to imagine directions like AI chat partners or forming relationships with virtual lovers. However, Known values bringing romance from the screen back to the real table.

The means for this include:

• Long Voice Onboarding (Depth of Understanding)

• Time Limits (Elimination of Procrastination)

• Date Support (Ease of Execution)

• A payment model that hints at success fees (Alignment of Incentives), resembling a "matchmaker" design.

Looking Ahead: The "Scale Barrier" to Be Tested with the Launch Early Next Year

Known is currently testing in San Francisco and plans a launch early next year.

The question moving forward is how scalable the deeply involved experience, akin to a matchmaker, can be. The deeper the understanding through voice, the higher the costs for processing, safety, and support. Conversely, if it's shallow, differentiation diminishes.

Can AI that increases "meetings" become the "next standard" for dating apps? Known's challenge seems poised to be a litmus test for the end of the swipe era.

Original Article Notes (Reference Information)

• TechCrunch (Published December 19, 2025): Known increases in-person dates with voice AI onboarding, 80% of introductions lead to dates in tests, raised 9.7 million dollars, beta in San Francisco, planned launch early next year, etc.

• Also see: LinkedIn posts by investors and stakeholders (Pear VC associates, Forerunner, the founder, etc.) discussing design philosophy and expectations for "what's next after swiping."