A group of anonymous cupids have recently invested in a matchmaking site, Setipe, allowing the company to improve online dating experience in Indonesia. The company, which according to Tech in Asia is the first of its kind to “use an algorithm to hook up two individuals” in Indonesia.
Co-founder of Setipe, Razi Thalib said the angel investors invested a sum of cash (an undisclosed amount) into the business, which allows more improvement to be made possible on the products provided by the site. He added that previous funding was mostly from himself and the other co-founder, Kevin Aluwi.
“They are seasoned players and see potential in what we’re trying to do with Setipe. They also feel they can bring in more than just cash and that was the key in our decision,” he was quoted saying by TechInAsia.
According to Thalib, the new funding will also be used to grow its working team, which currently only has one full-time and two other part-time employees. The Indonesian online dating market was also facing few serious obstacles, said Thalib, with socio-economic match-making being the most serious one.
“This is an issue specific to countries like Indonesia with a heterogeneous population consisting of people from different backgrounds, cultures and distinct social classes,” he said.
With various fundamental issues to be solved, Thalib said that the website was now trying to focus on improving the users’ experiences, making Setipe a more engaging and intuitive, and able to deliver positive results.
“Once we know the process works, we’ll be focus(ing) on acquisition, which is to drive traffic and signups,” he said, adding that the company will also bring back its old marketing tactic – speed dating – after the event received overwhelming responses.
“Hopefully in the next month or two, we’ll look into making it (speed dating) a regular thing,” he said.