From that journey emerged Knot.dating, a bold pivot that transformed Hood’s learnings about user behavior and anonymity into a new mission: building India’s first AI-powered matchmaking platform for young Indians looking for meaningful connections.
From Anonymity to Authentic Connections
In an age of swipe fatigue, ghosting, and superficial matches, Knot.dating is rewriting how India approaches online matchmaking.
Positioned for serious professionals seeking meaningful relationships, the platform leverages AI-powered conversational interfaces to replace outdated swipe-and-scroll models with emotionally intelligent matchmaking.
Hood: The Anonymous Social App That Started It All
Hood on Shark Tank India
- Season: 2 (Episode 127)
- Ask: ₹1.2 crore for 0.2% equity, implying a ₹600 crore valuation.
- Offer: Sharks offered ₹60 lakh for 0.54% equity + ₹60 lakh as debt at 12% interest.
- Outcome: Founders walked away, declining the offer.
Post-Shark Tank Phase:
User Feedback and Challenges:
- Low user engagement and retention.
- Limited features and technical bugs.
The Pivot: Hood Becomes Knot.dating
By March 2025, Hood officially pivoted to Knot.dating, transitioning from an anonymous discussion platform to India’s first AI-powered matchmaking service focused on serious, verified relationships.
What is Knot.dating & How It Works?
Pivot Announcement:
On March 31, 2025, Hood rebranded as Knot.dating, positioning itself as:
- Conversational AI chats to understand user’s personality, communication style, values, and emotional nuances.
How the Process Works:
1️⃣ Users join by invite, submitting government ID and face verification.
2️⃣ Engage in chat-like onboarding where the AI learns emotional preferences and relationship priorities.
3️⃣ Receive AI-suggested matches and curated introductions, optionally assisted by human matchmaking advisors.
4️⃣ Users engage in conversations with potential matches in a safe, verified environment.
Founders & Team
Jasveer Singh (CEO):
- Forbes Asia 30 Under 30.
- The face of Hood and now Knot.dating.
- Advocates for privacy-conscious digital experiences with meaningful connections.
Abhishek Asthana (Co-founder):
- Integral to Hood’s strategy and now Knot.dating’s direction.
- Focuses on user experience and operational strategy.
Headquarters: Gurugram, Haryana.
Team Size: 11–50 employees.
Funding & Investor Confidence
Pre-Pivot Funding:
Hood had raised $3.2 million from:
Growth & Traction
✅ Private Beta:
- Launched March 31, 2025.
- Invite-only waitlist model.
- Created exclusivity and demand among professionals.
✅ Early User Feedback:
Users praised:
- “Clean design and zero-spam onboarding.”
- “Matches that actually make sense emotionally.”
Market Positioning: Dating vs. Matrimony
Knot.dating vs Traditional Dating Apps:
✅ Moves away from endless swiping to AI-led conversations.
✅ Matches are curated, verified, and aligned with relationship goals.
Knot.dating vs Matrimony Platforms:
✅ Appeals to professionals seeking serious relationships without immediate family involvement.
✅ Balances independence with commitment-focused matching.
Competitive Landscape
Knot.dating enters a landscape dominated by:
- Shaadi.com, Jeevansathi, Bharat Matrimony (matrimony).
- Aisle, Bumble, Tinder (dating).
Quick Snapshot Table
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Founders | Jasveer Singh & Abhishek Asthana |
| HQ | Gurugram, Haryana |
| Team Size | 11–50 employees |
| Pivot Date | March 2025 |
| Launch | Beta: March 2025; Public: June 2025 |
| Funding | $3.2M pre-pivot |
| Core Feature | Conversational AI matchmaking |
| Target Audience | Professionals seeking serious relationships |
| USP | Verified, invite-only, emotional compatibility |
| Investor Backing | 3one4 Capital, Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Kunal Shah |
| Strengths | Deep compatibility, privacy, hybrid matchmaking |
| Challenges | Scaling, AI refinement, competition |
Final Take: Knot.dating’s Journey Ahead
Knot.dating represents India’s evolving dating landscape, bridging the gap between casual dating and arranged matrimony. Its pivot from Hood reflects:
- Continuous AI refinement.
- Retention of exclusivity with scale.
FOR MOREB BLOGS – beyondthepunchlines.com
Author: Team BTP
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