Heart to Heart Raises $750K for Audio Flirtation App

The Rise of Audio-Based Social Platforms and Heart to Heart

Radio has consistently been regarded as a uniquely personal medium. Despite jokes about transferring radio to the internet, the enduring appeal of podcasts and the recent surge in popularity of platforms like Clubhouse demonstrate that audio-based experiences will remain prominent within the digital landscape.

Now entering this arena is Heart to Heart, a dating application prioritizing audio interaction. Its aim is to reintroduce a sense of genuine connection into the process of finding a partner, be it for a casual encounter or a long-term relationship.

The Inspiration Behind Heart to Heart

“My background is in acting, and I observed firsthand how powerfully voice and audio experiences foster intimacy between individuals,” explains Joshua Ogundu, co-founder and CEO of Heart to Heart. “However, when I explored existing dating apps, I found myself unable to connect with the format. It felt necessary to craft a clever, text-based opening line, which didn’t align with my natural approach to romantic conversations.”

Heart to Heart directly challenges the repetitive swiping and messaging common on many dating apps, offering an alternative to sending identical introductory messages or spending hours typing on a small screen.

Investment and Vision

Charles Hudson from Precursor Ventures, who spearheaded the pre-seed funding round, stated, “I firmly believe that the most impactful consumer investments originate from individuals with unique insights into consumer behavior and the potential of new technologies to facilitate novel social interactions.”

“I’ve been following Josh’s TikTok videos for some time and have been impressed by his ability to offer insightful commentary on the tech industry through concise, engaging videos. I anticipate that the combination of photo verification, storytelling, and audio will result in a product that effectively addresses unmet communication needs and establishes a new method for people to connect.”

Precursor Ventures' Interest in Audio

While Precursor Ventures doesn’t exclusively invest in audio-first startups, the firm recognizes the growing opportunities within this sector. They were early backers of Betty Labs (acquired by Spotify), founded by Howard Akumiah, as well as Isa Watson’s Squad, Falon Fatemi’s Fireside, and several other companies currently operating in stealth mode.

Hudson notes, “I am convinced that a significant wave of innovation is occurring in the realm of non-music audio, and we are still in the initial stages of developing audio-driven social experiences.”

“Tinder and Bumble represent the last truly innovative advancements in this space. I believe Josh and his team have developed a unique and differentiated approach that has the potential to become the foundation for a new way for people to meet and connect, surpassing the limitations of current methods.”

Securing Funding and Future Plans

The company successfully secured a pre-seed investment of $750,000. This round was led by Precursor Ventures, with participation from Bryce Roberts of OATV, Angelica Nwandu of The Shade Room, and Marie Rocha at Realist Ventures.

Additionally, several angel investors contributed to the round, including Chris Bennett (Wonderschool), Andy Weissman (USV), and Gregory Levey (Robinson Huntly).

“Our primary objective with the $750,000 in funding is to concentrate on developing our iOS application and establishing Los Angeles as our initial launch market,” explains Ogundu. “Dating is inherently a localized experience, and we believe it’s prudent to build and refine our product locally before expanding its reach.”

The Power of Voice in Dating

Ogundu emphasizes, “Voice communication is inherently intentional and intimate, and that is precisely what we are cultivating at Heart to Heart.” He suggests that the voice-based mechanic encourages more thoughtful interactions.

“The effort required to send a voice message promotes greater intentionality in choosing with whom you initiate conversations.”

The Team and Timeline

The Heart to Heart founding team comprises Joshua Ogundu, serving as CEO, alongside Arihant Jain and Komal Shrivastava, who are leading the engineering and design efforts. The company anticipates launching its product before the end of the current year.