Two local entrepreneurs are using their own experiences with long-distance relationships to provide a virtual dating platform to those who can't see their partners in person.
Dave Mason, who previously co-founded hollr, and Bradley Smith, AVO Insights founder, have launched LDR Dates, a web-based platform that allows couples to go on virtual dates, no matter where they may be.
"Around December my girlfriend moved away from Charlotte and it put me in a long-distance relationship," Smith said. "The hard part is that you can’t go on traditional dates, so we decided to create those traditional dates virtually."
Smith said he and Mason, who have worked together on projects in the past, began developing the platform late last year. They are working to build out the platform's date library, which currently includes an aquarium, a museum, a "modern apartment" and "The Starry Night" date.
"One advantage we have over a traditional date is, our aquarium, for example, can be anything the imagination wants it to be to improve that shared experience," Mason said. "Our goal is to get to the point where we have dates for anyone at any stage in a relationship."
He added, "Ultimately, our goal is to create something like a Willy Wonka date and pair that virtual experience with things like getting to actually drink the bubble drink and taste the schnozberries."
Though LDR Dates is still in its early-stages, the concept is already garnering attention. The startup was one of 10 accepted into Techstars Atlanta's 13-week accelerator program, which kicked off on Monday. The program is a partnership between Techstars, a worldwide accelerator network, and Cox Enterprises, an Atlanta-based media, communications and automotive giant.
The cohort of startups will have access to mentorship through the Cox and Techstars network, receive a $120,000 equity investment and participate in a pitch showcase on Oct. 18 to close out the program. Smith said LDR Dates plans to open a funding round about halfway through the accelerator.
"In Techstars, our goal is to continue gaining confidence in product market fit, and fundraising is going to be a key part of it, getting connected to the right mentors and investors in the Southeast," he said. "And of course, we'll continue building the product and really focusing on the networking part."
Mason said one thing they hope to accomplish is becoming the go-to choice for long-distance couples who still want to connect in ways other than texts, phone calls or video chats.
"We’ve surveyed customers and a large percentage have met online and stayed online in these niche corners of the internet," he said. "We’re hoping to be the Netflix of dating where you’ll have this library of dates, and right now we’re very focused on long-distance couples."
