Justin McLeod has secured $18 million to launch Overtone, a new dating service built on voice and audio rather than text profiles.
McLeod left his role as chief executive at Hinge last year. His new company is backed by Match Group, the parent firm behind Tinder and OkCupid, along with FirstMark Capital and Pace Capital.
The pitch
The service describes itself as an audio-forward platform that uses artificial intelligence to curate introductions.
McLeod wrote in a blog post that Overtone is not a dating app. He noted it does not rely on social platforms where people are reduced to statistics, quotes, and photos. There are no opaque algorithmic feeds trained on split-second impulses. Users will not juggle likes, matches, and chats across many people at once.
It may seem odd for the creator of Hinge to disparage algorithmic feeds, but the dating industry is evolving. Users are increasingly dissatisfied with the status quo. A Forbes Health survey conducted in 2024 found that 78 per cent of dating app users felt burnt out. The survey’s 1,000 respondents reported spending about 51 minutes per day on dating apps. This time investment did not often yield fulfilling connections.
Most dating apps are trying to improve matchmaking quality through artificial intelligence. They offer AI-generated conversation starters or assistance in building profiles. Many people feel frustrated by the idea of delegating even more of this intimate process to computers.
McLeod seems more interested in using AI to narrow down potential matches. He is not outsourcing actual conversations and connections.
“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.”
Other new apps like Ditto and Date Drop are betting on a similar approach. They use AI to pair users up. This avoids putting everyone in a pool to swipe on one another, which creates the illusion of endless choice and fosters ghosting.
Overtone will launch later this year but will only be available in certain locations. Alongside the fundraise, the company announced that relationship expert Esther Perel has joined the board. She sits alongside Match CEO Spencer Rascoff and leadership advisor Diana Chapman.
What it means
People making things will see a shift away from the standard swipe mechanic. Instead of managing multiple conversations or crafting text messages, users will engage through voice. The goal is to reduce the volume of low-quality interactions while increasing the depth of the initial connection.
