Israeli Entrepreneur Launches AI-Powered Dating App Tandu

Eliana Barbel, the entrepreneur behind the defunct "Eli the Bot" dating service, has launched a new dating startup called Tandu. Partnering with Asher Barak, Tandu aims to find matches using an AI matchmaker, eliminating the need for users to swipe through profiles. Barbel explained that her previous venture, Eli the Bot, which focused on connecting people through friends, ultimately closed because the pool of potential matches within social circles was too limited.

Tandu operates differently by assigning each user a personal AI matchmaker. This AI learns about the user through conversations, preferences, and dating experiences, similar to interacting with ChatGPT. The AI then represents the user to other AI matchmakers, seeking compatible partners. Users can send photos to their AI and receive feedback. When an AI identifies a potential match, it proposes the connection to its user. If the user is interested, the AI can then contact the other user's AI to gather more information before a potential meeting.

Barak, who previously led development teams at Meta, Amazon, and Google, joined Barbel with the goal of creating technology that fosters genuine connections rather than superficial ones. Tandu is currently self-funded, with Barbel noting that while the app is free at launch, a paid model for certain features is being considered for the future, learning from the mistake of delaying monetization with Eli the Bot.

Barbel anticipates thousands of users in the initial days and tens of thousands within months, leveraging her existing online following. She emphasized that Tandu's AI is designed to assist users in finding matches but will not write messages or manage relationships for them, ensuring the core interaction remains human. The app is also designed to be culturally sensitive, initially focusing on the Israeli market before potential global expansion.