The smartphone app, which launched nationwide Thursday for Apple iOS devices, is targeted at both singles and couples alike, but it relies on the latter bunch to play matchmaker.
During the sign up process, users indicate whether they are would-be “daters” or “matchmakers,” connect their accounts to Facebook and create profiles with a few basic details. Then, they can begin suggesting potential partners for their Facebook friends — or even complete strangers who are also on Spritzr.
“Online dating has always been like going to a random bar where you have no social connections. You might meet someone great, but the chances are small,” said Manshu Agarwal, Spritzr’s founder and CEO.
Spritzr, however, said Agarwal, 41, is the digital equivalent of going to a friend’s party or wedding, where the atmosphere is more conducive to making romantic connections with friends of friends.
Spritzr also hopes to facilitate more friend-made matches with mobile tools that eradicate the sometimes-uncomfortable steps that people usually have to take when hooking up two friends — think: forced double dates or clumsy introductory emails and text messages.
“Matchmaking offline is awkward,” said Agarwal, who has been involved with early-stage technology companies for the past 10 years. “A lot of people don’t do it for that reason.”
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