What the business is
Community-driven dating platform with a 'social matching' model: matchers assess pairs, and high-scoring pairs are introduced to each other.
The bet
Recommendations from other people, made by users who can join just as matchers, can surface matches that swipe-based dating apps lose and compete with them.
Starting capital
$10.5M seed from Peak XV Partners, Shine Capital and Blume Ventures.
How it started
Rivet was founded in 2025 by former Tinder and Match Group executive Taru Kapoor and Rajat Sahni, previously CEO of CarDekho's used-car business. Former Tinder and OkCupid CEO Elie Seidman advised and mentored Kapoor during development and is an early investor.
What happened
Users can join as matchers who assess potential pairs and recommend introductions; these recommendations feed a social matching score for each pair. Pairs with high scores are introduced, and both people independently decide whether to connect and start a conversation. People who are not dating can join solely as matchers, in what Rivet calls a give-to-get approach. The team has an office in Delhi NCR, with engineering and machine learning staff largely in India.
How it ended up
Rivet raised $10.5M (about Rs 100.6 Cr) in seed funding and announced its nationwide US launch on 24 September 2026. It plans to use the money to build the product, expand distribution and scale across the US, competing with Tinder, Hinge, Bumble, The League and Wingman.
What has to be true
Kapoor said dating apps widened the pool of partners but made the experience feel transactional and isolating.
Rivet's pitch addresses the frustration of browsing profiles without finding a connection.
Recommendations from other people could surface matches that users might dismiss on swipe-based apps.
Letting non-daters join as matchers expands supply and is central to Rivet's growth plan, alongside attracting singles.
What can be applied
A marketplace's supply side can include people who don't want the product themselves, if giving recommendations is rewarded with recommendations.
Aftermath
As of 25 September 2026, Rivet had launched across the US and raised $10.5M seed. It planned to use the funds for product development, distribution and US scaling. Inc42 reported no user numbers.
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