Justin McLeod, the entrepreneur who built Hinge into a dating powerhouse, has raised $18 million for his latest venture, Overtone — an AI-driven dating service that eschews swiping in favour of voice-based introductions. The funding round is backed by Match Group, the owner of Tinder and OkCupid, alongside venture capital firms FirstMark Capital and Pace Capital.
Overtone describes itself as 'a voice- and audio-forward service, enabled by AI, that provides highly curated introductions.' In a blog post announcing the launch, McLeod drew a sharp distinction between Overtone and conventional dating apps. 'Overtone is not a dating app,' he wrote. '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 move comes as the dating industry grapples with widespread user dissatisfaction. A Forbes Health survey conducted in 2024 found that 78% of dating app users reported feeling burnt out, with respondents spending an average of 51 minutes per day on apps without forming meaningful connections. McLeod’s approach appears to target this fatigue by using AI to narrow down potential matches rather than outsourcing the conversation itself. 'We get to know each person deeply, learning about them in their own voice, hearing their own unique story,' he explained.
Overtone enters a growing field of AI-focused dating services, including rivals like Ditto and Date Drop, which also prioritise curated pairings over endless swiping. The company has appointed renowned relationship therapist Esther Perel to its board, alongside Match Group CEO Spencer Rascoff and leadership coach Diana Chapman. The service is expected to launch later this year in limited locations, though further details on pricing and availability remain under wraps.
For UK businesses and consumers, the rise of AI in dating raises questions about data privacy and algorithmic transparency. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has previously scrutinised how dating platforms handle personal data, particularly sensitive information about sexual orientation and preferences. Meanwhile, the EU AI Act, which came into force earlier this year, classifies AI systems used for social scoring or profiling as high-risk, potentially affecting how services like Overtone operate across European markets. UK firms will need to navigate these regulations carefully as they adopt AI for matchmaking, balancing innovation with user trust.