Ditto ditches the swipe for AI-driven matchmaking

The onboarding process begins via iMessage, where an AI persona gathers personality markers and preferences—even asking for celebrity crushes—to build a psychological profile. Rather than relying on superficial interest matching, the algorithm attempts to identify deeper personality traits, such as individualism or a preference for high-adrenaline activities. Once a match is made, the service provides the participants with a specific time and location for a date, essentially automating the logistical heavy lifting.

With 150,000 signups already on the books, the startup has secured $9.2 million in seed funding from backers including Gradient and Peak XV. Despite the backing, the team maintains a focus on the collegiate market, utilizing .edu email verification as a primary safety mechanism. Founders Allen Wang and Eric Liu acknowledge that scaling beyond campus environments presents significant hurdles, yet they continue to lean into irreverent marketing stunts to capture their target demographic. For the twelve-person San Francisco team, the ultimate goal is not just digital connection, but ensuring that the initial "viral" spark translates into successful, low-friction meetings.