A Stanford graduate student has transformed his campus dating algorithm into a startup after Date Drop achieved a 10x higher conversion rate to actual dates compared to Tinder. Henry Weng created the service to address what he sees as the demoralizing state of online dating, where users endlessly swipe through profiles without meaningful connections.

Since launching in fall 2024, Date Drop has attracted over 5,000 Stanford students and expanded to 10 additional universities including MIT, Princeton, and the University of Pennsylvania. Weng has raised "a few million" from notable investors including Zynga founder Mark Pincus and early Airbnb backer Elad Gil. The service sends users one carefully matched potential date per week based on detailed questionnaires and compatibility algorithms.

The Relationship Company, Date Drop's parent startup, operates as a public benefit corporation legally required to consider social impact alongside profits. Weng envisions expanding beyond romantic connections to facilitate friendships, professional networking, and community building. The company currently employs two staff members plus 12 campus ambassadors, offering employees a $100 monthly relationship stipend to encourage meaningful connections both inside and outside work.