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A team of Georgetown University students—Myles Slayton, William Conzelman, and Carter Rocket-Munk—launched Cerca in March 2025. This dating app aims to transform online dating by matching users based on real-world social connections instead of random profiles.
1. How It Works
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Four curated matches per day: Users receive a daily dose of potential matches tied to their phone contacts.
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See your mutual friends: Unlike other apps, Cerca reveals which shared friends connect you to a match—and even lets you invite those mutuals to join and help recommend.
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Invite-to-join gate: To join, you must know five people on the app or invite five friends—fostering accountability and trust .
2. Early Success & Gen Z Appeal
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$1.6 million in seed funding led by Corazon Capital, including Sam Yagan (OkCupid cofounder), thanks to strong traction among Gen Z users.
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Over 20,000 users (ages 18–30) and growing—proof of trust in blending digital swipes with social credibility.
3. Trust and Safety at the Core
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By introducing contact-based transparency—showing mutual friends before photos—Cerca aims to reduce risks and encourage thoughtful engagement.
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Features include a daily match reveal (at 8 p.m.), screenshot bans, and limited browsing—designed to promote reflection over impulse.
4. Building Real‑World Connections
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Cerca hosts in-person events on campuses and in cities like NYC, DC, LA, and Miami—further blending online matching with IRL interactions.
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The founders are exploring broader features: letting users play matchmaker for friends—or even pivoting to facilitate platonic connections.
Why It Matters
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Mutual trust: Leveraging existing social networks builds credibility and accountability in online dating.
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Thoughtful engagement: Restrictions on browsing and screenshotting encourage users to treat matches with care.
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Beyond romance: With its social-structure core, Cerca is poised to adapt to friendship match‑making and vetted introductions.
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