For over 15 years, I have led engineering teams and helped scale startups across HR, ERP, F&B delivery, mobility tech and edtech. But Match Colab comes from a place far more personal.

Post-divorce, I re-entered the relationship space. As a single parent, a founder and someone still rooted in the belief that life shared with the right partner can be deeply meaningful. A space of mutual respect, growth and emotional alignment.

Then came the shock. Dating apps made me feel like I had time travelled to a world I did not recognise. I have studied in India and the UK, worked across cultures and time zones, travelled extensively yet nothing prepared me for this: a landscape of endless masks, subtle games and exhausting guesswork. Worst of all, it was a rinse-and-repeat routine that left me drained. What I wanted was clarity, not chaos.

Then came the awakening: this space is broken and it needs fixing.

So I did what I do best. I put on my engineering hat. I started talking to people, collecting stories, listening to pain points, mapping behavioural patterns and slowly, a different kind of solution began to take shape.

To rediscover the joy that should accompany the search for a life partner, not just the excitement of meeting someone new but the possibility of building something that lasts. A relationship that is sustaining, fulfilling and rooted in shared growth. One that holds space for evolving together, creating memories and truly living a lifetime together.

Through countless iterations, late nights, research sprints and hard pivots, the idea took new shape. My goal was not just to build something functional but to create a platform capable of genuinely influencing the lives of real people seeking meaningful connections. A solution that was not only effective but sustainable and scalable. Something with the potential for real impact, not just another blip in the crowded digital landscape.

One of the most conclusive insights from my early research was the crucial role of human matchmakers. In a world full of filters, facades and fleeting interactions, I found matchmakers to be one of the last remaining bridges between technology and actual human connection. I reached out to founders of some of the largest matchmaking collectives across the globe, spoke to independent matchmakers doing remarkable work and learned just how deeply they understood the emotional and practical nuances that digital tools often miss.

That is why Match Colab is not just a product for singles. It is also a platform for matchmakers.

We are creating a space where professionals can come together, share knowledge and amplify their collective impact. Because when humans support humans, guided by thoughtful systems and scalable tools, the outcomes are not only more intentional - they are transformational.

What started as a personal mission is now shared by a growing team that believes in intention, transparency and the quiet joy of seeing a meaningful connection take root. I remain closely involved in shaping Match Colab to reflect the clarity, care and intentionality I would expect from a platform designed to truly support meaningful relationships.

Match Colab is now powered by a small, passionate team of matchmakers, designers, engineers and community partners, each committed to helping people connect with care and clarity.

Since our soft launch, 120+ users have signed up and started receiving curated match suggestions at the time of this writing, with real stories already emerging from the journey.

If this resonates with you, I invite you to begin your journey with us with confidence and trust.

Gorav Bhootra
March 01, 2025