Cerca Dating App Disrupts Traditional Swiping Culture at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

Cerca Dating App Challenges Traditional Swiping Culture at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 In a bid to revolutionize the dating scene, Cerca, a new dating app, made its debut at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025. The app's founders, Myles Slayton, Willy Conzelman, and Carter Munk, aim to disrupt the traditional swiping culture by matching users with others already in their social circles. Cerca's innovative approach has garnered significant attention, with around 60,000 users signing up mainly in New York City and across universities. The app's success is attributed to its unique algorithm that prioritizes connections within one's existing network. "We're not trying to change the way people date, but rather how dating apps work," Slayton explained during an interview with TechCrunch. The founders' inspiration for Cerca stemmed from their own experiences navigating the dating scene in New York City. Slayton noted that his generation, Gen Z, operates differently than millennials, who were the primary target audience of traditional dating apps. "We meet through mutuals and people in our social circles," he said. "Cerca is a throwback to how dating used to be." The app's launch coincided with a $1.6 million seed round this summer, which has helped Cerca gain momentum. The company's founders believe that their approach will resonate with users who are tired of the superficial nature of traditional dating apps. "Cerca is not just another dating app," Conzelman said. "It's about building meaningful connections within your existing network." Munk added, "We're not trying to replace traditional dating methods but rather complement them." Cerca's success has sparked discussions about the future of dating apps and how they can better cater to the needs of Gen Z users. The app's innovative approach may signal a shift towards more personalized and meaningful connections. As Cerca continues to gain traction, its founders are eager to see how the app will evolve in the coming months. "We're excited to see how people use Cerca and what feedback we receive," Slayton said. With its unique algorithm and focus on social connections, Cerca is poised to challenge traditional dating apps and redefine the way people meet. Background The dating scene has become increasingly saturated with various apps and platforms. However, many users have expressed frustration with the superficial nature of these apps. Cerca's founders aim to address this issue by providing a more personalized and meaningful experience for users. Implications Cerca's innovative approach may signal a shift towards more personalized and meaningful connections in the dating scene. The app's success has sparked discussions about the future of dating apps and how they can better cater to the needs of Gen Z users. Next Developments As Cerca continues to gain traction, its founders are eager to see how the app will evolve in the coming months. With its unique algorithm and focus on social connections, Cerca is poised to challenge traditional dating apps and redefine the way people meet. *Reporting by Techcrunch.*