VCs Reveal Hot Startups In Social AI And Dating

Artificial intelligence is injecting new energy into the consumer social startup scene, and venture capitalists are taking notice. "We're on the brink of another big consumer wave," Vanessa Larco, a former NEA partner now launching a consumer-focused venture firm called Premise, shared with Business Insider. Larco is keeping a close watch on consumer-focused AI startups such as Midjourney, an AI image generator; Tolan, an AI companion platform; and Sitch, an AI-powered dating app where she is an angel investor. (She is not an investor in Midjourney or Tolan.)

For many founders in the consumer space, AI has become an almost mandatory component of their pitch. "There's been no real crazy big raises in many consumer verticals unless it is a really strong gen AI angle," commented Paul Warren, CEO of the book community app Margins. However, while AI is a significant draw, VCs are also attracted to startups successfully building loyal communities around specific interests like books, restaurants, or fashion. Warren also observed, "People are retreating away from the general platforms toward much smaller things, cozier things, much more niche-oriented things."

Business Insider consulted nine venture capitalists about the consumer social tech startups on their radar for 2025. They pinpointed emerging AI startups with social elements, niche social networks, and applications designed to promote in-real-life (IRL) connections.

Spotlight on Standout Innovators

One such startup capturing investor interest is Swsh, a photo-sharing app geared towards Gen Z for events. Three VCs—Rhian Horton from Stellation Capital (an investor in Swsh), Derek Chu from FirstMark Capital, and TJ Taylor from Hobart Ventures (neither of whom are investors)—identified Swsh as a key consumer social startup. Founded in 2022 by Alexandra Debow, Weilyn Chong, and Nathan Ahn, Swsh collaborates with major music festivals like Rolling Loud and EDC Vegas for its photo-album sharing technology. The app employs AI to assist users in finding their photos from events and allows them to connect with others, such as fellow event-goers, in group chats. Debow confirmed that Swsh has raised $3 million to date.

Meanwhile, Status, an application that uses AI to simulate a social media experience with fictional characters, was highlighted by two VCs: FirstMark's Chu and Amber Atherton of Patron (neither are investors). Status was cofounded by Fai Nur, Amit Bhatnagar, Pritesh Kadiwala, and Blossom Okonkwo. After participating in Y Combinator in 2022, they launched the Status app in 2025, which, according to Nur, now has over 2.5 million users.

"We've been meeting a lot of founders who are building next-gen social networks that blend real-life people with agents," Atherton remarked on the innovative use of AI by founders. Observing the significant time young people dedicate to gaming, Atherton also predicts that "the next generation of social networks will feel more like a game."

Here are 14 other startups that have caught the attention of investors:

AI Powering the Next Generation of Consumer Startups

• Bible Chat: An AI chatbot trained on the Bible, allowing users to explore scripture and spirituality. The company reports 25 million users and $16 million in funding. Fawzi Itani at Forerunner (not an investor) noted its unique focus on religious content and plans for community features.
• Doji: A virtual try-on platform using AI for lifelike user avatars to try on designer clothing. It recently secured a $14 million seed round led by Thrive Capital. Cristina Apple Georgoulakis at Seven Seven Six (an investor) is among interested VCs.
• Gigi: A dating and networking app marketed as "the AI who knows everyone," using AI to connect users with relevant matches. Hugo Amsellem of Intuition VC (an angel investor in Gigi) is interested. (Amsellem is also in a relationship with Gigi's founder, Clara Gold.)
• Lore: An AI-powered social platform for online fandoms, founded by ex-Headline investor Zehra Naqvi. Though still in beta, it's on the radar of VCs like TJ Taylor at Hobart Ventures (not an investor).
• Series: An AI-driven professional networking startup cofounded by Yale students Nathaneo Johnson and Sean Hargrow in 2024. It uses AI agents to connect young professionals via text messages. Intuition VC (not an investor) is interested.

The Rise of Niche Social Networks

• Cosmos: A Pinterest-style platform described as a "discovery engine for creatives" for saving and sharing images. Cofounder Andy McCune previously cofounded Unfold. Derek Chu at FirstMark Capital (not an investor) is watching this startup.
• Mansa: A streaming platform featuring content from creators of color, allowing users to see what friends are watching. Mansa reports users streamed 3 million hours last year. Marlon Nichols at MaC Venture Capital (led seed round) is an interested VC.
• Margins: A social reading app for the BookTok generation, launched in December and reporting around 130,000 users. Rhian Horton at Stellation Capital (not an investor) is interested.
• Perfectly Imperfect (also known as PI.FYI): A social network for recommendations and a pop-culture newsletter. Kathryn Weinmann at FirstMark Capital (not an investor) is among interested VCs.
• Spillt: Described as a "Goodreads for recipes," where users clip recipes and see friends' or creators' saves. It has over 300 recipe creators and 400,000 clipped recipes. Kathryn Weinmann at FirstMark Capital (not an investor) is interested.

Bridging the Digital and Physical Worlds IRL Apps

• Beli: A restaurant tracking platform for users and their friends. Launched in summer 2021, it has raised about $12 million and driven over 65 million restaurant ratings. FirstMark (an investor) is interested, with Chu highlighting its gamification of IRL dining.
• Kndrd: A social app helping women connect for in-real-life (IRL) meetups. It has accepted over 10,000 women and facilitated over 2,000 hangouts, according to founder Isabella Epstein. Hobart Ventures (not an investor) is interested.
• Partiful: An invitation app allowing users to see RSVPs and share photos post-event. MaC Venture Capital (not an investor) is interested.
• Pie: An IRL social platform founded by Bonobos' Andy Dunn, helping people discover nearby plans. It has raised $24 million, with Forerunner leading its $11.5 million Series A. Forerunner is an interested VC.