The tech world continues to refine how people connect in the digital age, and one startup is taking aim at reinventing the online dating experience. RAW, a privacy-focused dating app, recently closed a $3 million seed round led by several veteran angel investors to fuel its mission of bringing authenticity and chemistry to virtual matches.
Rather than focusing on profiles and swiping algorithms, RAW aims to get back to basics through open-ended video “speed dates”. Users log brief video chats and get matching recommendations based on real-time chemistry instead of canned bios and stats. Privacy is also a core principle – no public profiles and identity verification is not required.
Feedback from early adopters indicates the format encourages more genuine conversations compared to traditional dating sites. The founders believe RAW can help address issues like ghosting and shallow interactions that plague mainstream apps by prioritizing immediate human connection over curated digital façades.
With new funding in hand, RAW plans to refine its matching technology, grow its user base through targeted marketing, and potentially expand into new geographic regions. Backers are optimistic about the startup’s potential to disrupt an arena ripe for innovation and make virtual matches feel more authentic in an increasingly digital world. RAW seems determined to rewrite the rules of online dating by bringing some old-fashioned charm back to how modern singles meet.