Ottawa Startup The Penguin App Takes on Dating-App Giants
A new app built in Ottawa aims to replace swipes with community and genuine connection, after its founder gave up on Tinder and Bumble.
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An Ottawa startup is launching The Penguin App, a dating platform designed to undo what its founders see as the transactional damage caused by Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble.
Louis Yoon, an outgoing person who spends more time outside than most, couldn't find a meaningful connection on mainstream dating apps. After going through what he describes as the cycle — hope, doubt, despair, hate — he decided to build something different.
Yoon and co-founder Edward Kan met at Pub Italia on Preston Street on January 11, 2024, to discuss the concept. Named for the Arctic animal known to mate long-term, The Penguin App aims to make dating community-based and safe, rather than superficial and transactional.
The app has two streams: "looking for love" and "matchmaker." Users searching for a partner create a profile and match with one person at a time — allowing time for genuine connection. The app prompts conversation questions to keep chats flowing, and users don't see photos until they've chatted. "Chemistry is built face-to-face," Yoon said, "so we try to push people in that direction."
The matchmaker feature lets users introduce people they know to each other — inspired by Korean dating culture, which Yoon credits with success rooted in community and reciprocity. "Dating should be like going to a networking event, with someone to introduce you to others," he said.