Former Zomato Employees Launch Dating App to Solve Matchmaking Crisis

A new Indian matchmaking app is the talk of the town. Julio, the platform claims to be neither dating nor a matrimony app! It is a Trusted Singles Club of government-verified Members seeking a meaningful relationship. 

The online dating industry’s turnover in India is expected to reach $783 million by 2024 from $454 million in 2021. At present, dating apps reach 2.2% of the country’s total population, with projections of 3.6% by 2024. On average 20 million Indians used dating apps just five years back. [Source: Statista.com]

What is Julio?

Founded in 2023 by Varun Sud and Chiranjeev Ghai, the Delhi-based platform combines ID verification, AI-driven matchmaking, and a focus on real-life interactions for singles to find love.

Sud earlier worked as a Group Product Manager at Google Pay India and was Senior Vice President at Zomato before starting his own venture, Julio. Meanwhile, Ghai was in managerial positions in top-notch companies before Julio, his last role being that of an Engineering Manager at Zomato. 

Inspired by traditional Indian matchmaking while offering a more healthy and responsible way to approach modern dating Sud and Ghai started their dream venture. 

Julio started with the intention of solving dating app burnout and mental health issues that affect singles globally while searching for a partner.

The app was created to build a trusted Club for singles providing them with a safe, trustworthy, and responsible service to find real love.

How it works?

Julio app offers a unique dating experience by providing users with a personalized AI matchmaking 'Genie' that takes the hassle out of finding the perfect match. 

Julio's Club Membership is a premium service offered on the Julio's app, designed to cater to individuals looking for a more personalized and secure dating experience. The platform utilizes India Stack and AI to ensure that every member has a government ID and is video-verified, guaranteeing a safe and authentic community for its members.

One of the standout features of Julio's Club Membership is its emphasis on privacy and security. The platform keeps women's profiles private by default, protecting them from unwanted attention or nosy acquaintances. Users have the option to make themselves visible only to men they are interested in, ensuring a safe and respectful environment for all members.

Also, as the Julio team surveyed and found out men only want to spend time with women genuinely excited to meet them, the focus here is on the right person meeting the right one. So, users will not have to tire themselves swiping endlessly or experiencing mind games on this platform.

An easy and hassle-free way to connect with potential matches makes this a game-changer in the world of online dating. 

The backbone of Julio

The brand-new company boasts a motley crew of smart, passionate, and supportive individuals. The online dating app received USD 2.5 Million in angel funding from more than 180 investors including Ramakant Sharma, Founder of Livspace; Kunal Shah, Founder of CRED; Ruchi Deepak, Co-founder of Acko; Leo Puri, ex-chairman of JP Morgan India; and Harsh Jain and Lalit Keshre, Founders of Groww. 

Pricing & availability

Premium services at Julio start at Rs 999 ($45 for international) for a 30-day trial which guarantees 1 Meet or Event. The first 1K members were eligible for a free trial as well. After the trial, membership fees are charged in line with the elite service (Regular/Premium/VIP) provided. 

Currently, the app is available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store already with more than 50,000 downloads. Julio started onboarding members in July this year. Currently offering heterosexual matches only, the app plans to introduce LGBTQA+ matches soon.

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