# Rivet Secures $10.5M to Launch Social Matching in US _Rivet raises $10.5M to launch its Social Matching app in the US. Founders should note the potential of community-driven matchmaking models._ Source: https://highintentmedia.com/news/former-tinder-exec-launches-rivet-app Author: High Intent Newsroom Published: 2026-09-24T16:32:37+00:00 Last updated: 2026-09-24T17:25:33.048874+00:00 Category: Funding ## Summary Rivet, a new dating app founded by a former Tinder executive, raised $10.5 million in seed funding and launched across the US. It uses "Social Matching," where users and friends recommend potential matches, moving away from solitary swiping. Operators should consider this model's potential for community-driven matchmaking and increased user engagement. ## Key takeaways - Rivet secured $10.5 million in seed funding and launched its Social Matching app in the US. - The app uses community input, not just individual swiping, for matchmaking. - Taru Kapoor, a former Tinder executive, founded Rivet. - The Social Matching model was tested in Charlotte, attracting thousands of users. - Rivet involves users as Daters or Matchers, and holds live dating events. ## FAQ ### What is Rivet's core innovation for matchmaking? Rivet's core innovation is "Social Matching," which involves other users and friends in recommending potential matches, differing from traditional swipe-based apps. This collaborative approach leverages community input to help singles find compatible partners, aiming to combine algorithmic matching with human intuition and social proof for better outcomes. ### Who are the key people behind Rivet? Rivet was founded by Taru Kapoor, a former Tinder and Match Group executive with eight years of experience. She built Tinder's business in India and expanded it across other regions. Elie Seidman, former Tinder and OkCupid CEO, is an early investor and advisor to Rivet, signaling confidence in its approach. ### What funding has Rivet secured and from whom? Rivet secured $10.5 million in seed funding. Notable backers include Peak XV Partners, Shine Capital, and Blume Ventures. Former Tinder and OkCupid CEO Elie Seidman is also an early investor and advisor, indicating strong industry support for Rivet's innovative dating platform. ### Has Rivet tested its model before its US launch? Yes, Rivet tested its model in Charlotte, where it launched earlier in 2024. During this pilot phase, the app attracted thousands of users. Rivet also experimented with offline events, including live dating shows, extending its community-driven approach beyond digital interactions and building user engagement. ### How does Rivet's "Matcher" role differ from previous friend-based dating apps? Rivet's "Matcher" role is designed to be lightweight and fun, making it easy and entertaining for users to participate without significant burden. This approach, praised by dating industry analyst Mark Brooks, invokes the wisdom of the crowd and may help Rivet succeed where previous friend-based matching apps failed due to overly burdensome roles. - Rivet, a new dating app founded by former Tinder and Match Group executive Taru Kapoor, has launched across the US after raising $10.5 million in seed funding - The app features "Social Matching" where other users and friends help recommend potential matches rather than relying solely on individual swiping - Rivet has been testing its model in Charlotte since early 2024, attracting thousands of users and hosting live dating events - Former Tinder and OkCupid CEO Elie Seidman is an early investor and advisor to the company A new dating app is challenging the traditional swipe-based model by bringing community input into the matchmaking process. Rivet, founded by former Tinder executive Taru Kapoor, has secured $10.5 million in seed funding and is now available across the United States. The app introduces a novel approach called "Social Matching" that leverages the wisdom of crowds to help singles find compatible partners. ## Industry Veteran Brings Fresh Perspective to Dating Apps Taru Kapoor brings extensive experience from her eight years at Tinder and Match Group to her new venture. She joined Tinder in 2015 to build the business in India and eventually expanded her responsibilities across South Asia, Southeast Asia and Turkey. Match Group previously credited her with helping turn Tinder into a major brand in India and growing OkCupid in the country. She left the company in 2023 to pursue her vision for a new kind of dating platform. Dating app concept on mobile phone The new app has attracted notable backers including Peak XV Partners, Shine Capital and Blume Ventures. Former Tinder and OkCupid CEO Elie Seidman is also an early investor in the company and has advised Kapoor during its development. This high-profile support signals confidence in Rivet's innovative approach to online dating. ## Social Matching Revolutionizes the Dating Experience Rivet is built around what the company calls "Social Matching," a departure from the isolated swiping experience of traditional dating apps. Rather than leaving people to swipe through profiles alone, Rivet asks other people to weigh in on potential couples. Users can join as a Dater looking for a relationship or as a Matcher helping other people find one. > The app first identifies potential pairs based on their preferences, interests and dating intentions, then Rivet's community can decide whether the two people look compatible. This collaborative approach involves other users, invited friends or Rivet's "Elite Matchers" in the decision-making process. Daters receive introductions backed by those recommendations and can then decide whether they want to see the full profile and connect. The system aims to combine algorithmic matching with human intuition and social proof. People using smartphones for social connection ## Charlotte Testing Phase Shows Promise Rivet has already been testing the model in Charlotte, where it launched earlier this year. Kapoor said in June that the app had attracted thousands of users during its initial rollout. The Charlotte market has served as a proving ground for the Social Matching concept before the national expansion. Rivet has also been experimenting with offline events, including live dating shows where audiences vote on whether two singles have chemistry. These in-person experiences extend the community-driven approach beyond the digital realm. The events create additional engagement opportunities and help build a sense of community among users. Young couple meeting and connecting ## Industry Expert Weighs In Mark Brooks, a dating industry analyst, offered his perspective on Rivet's approach. He noted that numerous "friends as matchmakers" apps have come and gone but this turns the friends role into something lite and fun. Brooks praised the product design for invoking the wisdom of the crowd rather than placing too much burden on individual matchmakers. > Great product design that turns the friends role into something lite and fun while invoking the wisdom of the crowd. The lightweight nature of the Matcher role may be key to Rivet's potential success where other friend-based matching apps have failed. By making it easy and entertaining for people to participate in matchmaking, Rivet removes the pressure and awkwardness that can come with traditional friend setups. The gamified approach could help sustain engagement from both Daters and Matchers over time. ### Key Takeaways - Rivet transforms dating from a solo activity into a community-driven experience by allowing users to serve as either Daters or Matchers - The app's Charlotte pilot program and offline events demonstrate a multi-channel approach to building connections beyond simple profile swiping - By making the matchmaking role lightweight and fun rather than burdensome, Rivet may succeed where previous friend-based dating apps have failed ## Sources - [Mark Brooks](http://www.courtlandbrooks.com), Courtlandbrooks Published by High Intent (High Intent Media Inc). Citation permitted with a link to the source URL above.