In a digital age saturated with superficial swiping and flaky interactions, one Indian startup is boldly redefining what it means to date with intent. Knot.dating, founded by Jasveer Singh and Abhishek Asthana, positions itself not just as a dating app—but as India’s first AI-powered matchmaking platform for serious, long-term relationships. With curated matches, human oversight, and a stringent verification process, Knot is set on eliminating the noise from modern dating—offering clarity, quality, and commitment.
From Anonymity to Authenticity: The Pivot That Changed Everything
Before it became the high-end matchmaking brand we know today, Knot.dating began its journey under a very different identity. Originally launched as Zorro, later rebranded to Hood, the startup initially operated as an anonymous social media platform designed to let users express unfiltered opinions within communities.
The concept garnered attention, even earning a spot on Shark Tank India Season 2. During their appearance, the founders pitched Hood at a ₹600 crore valuation (roughly $72 million), seeking ₹1.2 crore for 0.2% equity. While the Sharks were intrigued, the deal fell through. Instead of accepting a counteroffer with a mix of equity and debt, the founders walked away—retaining full control and independence.
This marked a turning point. In 2024, Jasveer and Abhishek decided to pivot entirely toward an underserved market: intentional, tech-driven matchmaking. Thus, Knot.dating was born in early 2025.
How Knot.dating Works: Technology Meets Human Insight
Knot.dating combines AI-based emotional intelligence with human matchmaking expertise—a dual-layered system that sets it apart from apps like Tinder or Bumble. Here’s how it works:
1. Conversational Onboarding
Rather than asking users to fill out boring forms, Knot uses a chat-based AI assistant that conducts a natural conversation to extract key personality traits, emotional tendencies, life goals, and relationship preferences.
2. Intelligent Matching Engine
The AI then analyzes compatibility across hundreds of psychological and behavioral markers—delivering emotionally intelligent matchmaking, rather than relying solely on appearance or surface-level interests.
3. Human Matchmaker Involvement
A team of professional matchmakers reviews AI-generated matches and offers guidance—especially in complex situations like intercultural or long-distance matches. This hybrid model ensures both personalization and precision.
4. Complete Verification
Every user is required to submit government-issued ID and undergo live facial verification. This creates a 100% verified user base, minimizing scams and fake profiles.
5. Privacy-First Interaction
Profiles are not browsable like on typical dating apps. Users only see potential matches handpicked by the algorithm and team. Chats remain hidden until both parties express interest—ensuring a private, stress-free experience.
Target Audience: India’s Top 1%
Knot.dating is not for everyone—and that’s by design.
It’s built for ambitious, well-educated, financially independent Indians who are ready to commit. The platform openly states its preference for professionals from IITs, IIMs, Ivy League schools, or those working in top startups and multinational firms.
As of July 2025, the platform introduced a bold policy:
- Men must earn a minimum of ₹50 lakh/year (≈$60,000 USD).
- No income bar exists for women.
This move has stirred debate—but the company defends it as a way to maintain user intent, filter unserious applications, and elevate the overall experience.
Business Model: How Knot.dating Makes Money
Unlike swipe-based dating apps that rely on freemium upgrades or ads, Knot.dating operates on a subscription and advisory model:
- Premium Memberships: Users pay for access to curated matches and expert guidance.
- Human Matchmaker Services: One-on-one consultations are offered for an additional fee, making it similar to elite matrimonial services but powered by tech.
- Application Fee (optional): The app is invite-only, but non-invited applicants may need to pay a screening fee to be considered.
This high-trust model attracts serious users while generating consistent recurring revenue.
Funding, Investors & Valuation
Shark Tank India Journey
- Pitched as “Hood” on Shark Tank India S2.
- Asked: ₹1.2 crore for 0.2% equity (₹600 crore valuation).
- Offered: ₹60 lakh for 0.54% equity + ₹60 lakh in debt at 12% interest.
- Outcome: Founders declined the offer and walked away.
VC-Backed
Even before their pivot to Knot.dating, the startup had raised $3.2 million from a strong lineup of investors:
- 3one4 Capital
- Vijay Shekhar Sharma (Paytm)
- Kunal Shah (CRED)
- Ritesh Agarwal (OYO)
- Ashneer Grover (BharatPe)
- Lalit Keshre (Groww)
- Gaurav Gupta (Zomato)
- Ashish Hemrajani (BookMyShow)
- Sandeep Nailwal (Polygon)
Though the post-pivot valuation hasn’t been publicly disclosed, industry watchers estimate it could cross ₹800 crore ($95M), especially given the media buzz and elite positioning.
Business Metrics & Strategic Highlights
| Metric | Insight |
|---|---|
| Founded | Originally as Zorro/Hood (2022), rebranded as Knot in 2025 |
| Founders | Jasveer Singh & Abhishek Asthana |
| Headquarters | Gurugram, Haryana, India |
| Funding Raised | $3.2 million (Seed + Angel) |
| Monetization | Subscription, Advisory Services |
| User Base | Thousands of verified professionals in Tier 1 cities |
| USP | AI-driven matching + human vetting, high entry standards |
| Privacy | Profiles hidden unless mutually matched |
| Tech Stack | NLP, ML, Computer Vision, Proprietary AI chat engine |
Challenges & Opportunities Ahead
Challenges
- Scaling with Exclusivity: As user demand grows, maintaining quality without diluting brand exclusivity will be difficult.
- Perceived Elitism: The income bar for men may alienate some demographics and invite criticism.
- AI Matching Accuracy: Needs constant cultural training to account for India’s linguistic, regional, and caste diversity.
Opportunities
- Niche Monetization: The brand can introduce personalized date planning, luxury partnerships, or even destination wedding packages.
- Global Expansion: With rising demand among the Indian diaspora in the US, UK, and Canada, Knot could expand globally.
- Data-Driven Matchmaking Research: Knot’s anonymized data could help develop India’s first large-scale emotional compatibility index for relationships.
The Bigger Picture
Knot.dating is more than a dating platform: it’s a premium institution where intent meets innovation. It’s redefining matchmaking in India by offering a high-touch experience driven by AI insight and human intuition. With strategic investment backing and elite user base, it stands to become the benchmark brand for serious Indian professionals seeking marriage—not just connection.
For business leaders or marketers, Knot.dating’s journey offers rich lessons in strategic pivot, brand equity, investor storytelling, and monetizing exclusivity.
Website: https://knot.dating/
