Hinge Founder Raises $18 Million for AI-Powered Dating Startup Overtone

Justin McLeod, the founder of Hinge, has secured $18 million in funding for his new venture, Overtone, an artificial intelligence-powered dating service designed to move away from the traditional swipe-based experience. The investment includes backing from Match Group, Hinge’s parent company, as well as venture firms FirstMark Capital and Pace Capital.

McLeod stepped down as Hinge’s chief executive last year and is now focusing on Overtone, which describes itself as a voice- and audio-first service that uses AI to provide carefully curated introductions rather than endless profile browsing.

"Overtone is not a dating app," McLeod wrote. "By that I mean it's not a social platform with profiles that reduce people to stats, quotes and photos. There are no opaque, algorithmic feeds trained on split-second impulses. And there's no juggling likes, matches and chats across many people at once."

The launch comes as many users report growing frustration with traditional dating platforms. According to a 2024 Forbes Health survey cited in the source material, 78% of dating app users reported experiencing burnout. Respondents reported spending an average of 51 minutes each day on dating apps, yet many said the time invested did not lead to meaningful relationships.

Many dating companies have responded by introducing artificial intelligence features such as profile-writing assistance and AI-generated conversation starters. Overtone is taking a different approach, using AI primarily to identify compatible matches rather than to help users conduct conversations after a match has been made.

"We get to know each person deeply, learning about them in their own voice, hearing their own unique story," McLeod wrote. "And we make only the introductions that are worth making, grounded in relationship science and thoughtful reflection. We transparently explain why we believe someone is a great match."

The company’s strategy reflects a broader shift in the online dating industry as developers seek alternatives to swipe-based platforms. Newer services, including Ditto and Date Drop, also use AI to recommend carefully selected matches rather than presenting users with an unlimited stream of profiles.

Overtone is expected to launch later this year in select locations. Alongside the funding announcement, the company said relationship expert Esther Perel has joined its board of directors, together with Match Group CEO Spencer Rascoff and leadership adviser Diana Chapman.

The new venture marks McLeod’s return to the dating technology industry with a model centred on curated introductions and voice-driven interactions, reflecting a growing effort across the sector to improve the quality of online matchmaking rather than simply increasing the number of connections.