Everyone knows first impressions on that first date with a potential new partner are important – so making that first date stand out is key. Let’s face it, a trip to Nandos just isn’t going to cut it these days.
Injecting some digital delight into the South West’s love bugs is Bristol-based startup DateMakers, the web app that’s making it easier than ever to find unique activities to impress your date and keep that all-important spark going strong.
“We set up DateMakers to give people unlimited date ideas and experiences so that they’d never have to worry about organising their dates again”
From gin tasting to alpaca petting and making your own liquid nitrogen ice-cream – even sax(ophone) on the first date – the DateMakers team has scoured the South West and brought together experiences galore.
Giving us the lowdown, Matt Wilson, DateMaker’s co-founder (pictured left), tells us: “We saw a problem with the dating industry. Matchmaking sites are just focused on making introductions, and once you’ve matched, you are then left on your own to plan your date.
“We thought the actual date was just as important for your romantic chances. So that’s why we set up DateMakers, to give people unlimited date ideas and experiences so that they’d never have to worry about organising their dates again.
“Plus, we don’t just help singles on their first date, we help couples in any stage of their relationship, whether it is their first or ninety-first date.”
Ready to mingle
At the moment, the startup is in its early stages with dates available to browse via the DateMakers website, as Matt explains: “You simply browse our selection of over 50 date ideas and experiences in Bristol, select when you’d like to go on your date, click book and you’re done.”
“Having a chance to network with the cream of the crop of Bristol’s tech scene was a great experience”
Matt adds: “However, we are currently raising our seed round and working on getting our app built in time for Valentines Day 2018 so that we can move away from our MVP [minimum viable product] website.”
A bicycle made for two: a couple take a tandem for a spin,
one of DateMakers’ many couple-friendly activities
But, having made its way through the ranks to pitch to a room full of high-profile investors at Venturefest’s Silicon Gorge Investor Showcase just last month, the funding prospects are high for these techie dating gurus.
Commenting on the startup’s pitching experience, Matt says: “We met so many great people there who have been immensely helpful since the event. Our other co-founder Joe (pictured right) and myself are just 23 years old so having a chance to network with the cream of the crop of Bristol’s tech scene was a great experience.
“If I could give any one piece of advice to startups pitching at similar investment events, I would tell them to practice, practice and practice – and even then, you might have a blip (like I did), but if you do, just power on through.”
Bringing together the world of tech and romance, this is one startup that’s having an impact in the South West. Matt tells us one of his highlights: “We have been really excited about the dates we have sent couples on. One date stands out in particular, as it was their seventh year anniversary. They went on a tandem bike ride and then straight to Lovett pies for some of Bristol’s best pies and loved it.”
To find out more about DateMakers and to stay up to date with its progress, take a look at the DateMakers website or follow them on Twitter here: @datemakersuk.
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