With 20,000 restaurants and nightlife destinations to choose from, there’s no shortage of spots for a night out on the town, i.e., a date. It’s finding the right one that’s the challenge. Here’s the key to finding exactly what you were looking for. Seriously. It’s called The Key and it’s a new mobile app that puts a personal touch into searching for the perfect date spot. Users can listen to short voice recommendations and read tweetlength suggestions from daters in the know.
Think of it as the key to unlocking spots you might have otherwise missed, like just the right comedy improv theatre, competitive fun spot, or secret speakeasy. The 200+ beta users have left over 1,000 short, fun, information-packed suggestions and recommendations.
CEO Marcell Hilliard tells us about this app that’s so useful, it’s how he found his own favorite date spot (yes, he dishes – read on)…
Tell us about the service.
The Key, a new mobile app, puts a personal touch into searching for the perfect date spot. Users can listen to short voice recommendations and read tweet-length suggestions from daters in the know
How is it different?
We’re providing something unique in three ways: keeping user descriptions to 100 characters to scan quickly, hearing people’s suggestions through voice recorded snippets, and focusing on recommendations, not reviews.
What market are you attacking and how big is it?
Local mobile advertising is a $5B industry and expected to double in three years.
What is the business model?
We anticipate merchants paying to be featured, and selling informative content within the app, via in app-purchases.
What sorts of date spots are a favorite with New Yorkers, which you’ve noticed so far?
Our users have recommended non-traditional date spots,such as SPiNfor Ping-Pong and Duane Park for a burlesque show. Rooftop bars are always popular this time of year in NYC: our users seem to like Press Lounge and Gallow Green.
What are the milestones that you plan to achieve within six months?
10,000 active users, three strong business development relationships, and revenue in merchant sponsorships and in-app purchases
If you could be put in touch with one investor in the New York community who would it be and why?
Christian Rudder, Sam Yagan, and Max Krohn, aka the founders of OK Cupid. We believe OKC is the best dating app available and we want to learn and partner with them.
Why did you launch in New York?
There’s no better city in America for the best restaurants and nightlife destinations. New York City has 20,000 of them.
Which is your favorite NY spot for a date?
Definitely SPiN.I think it’s great to have some good competitive fun, great cocktails, and dancing on Friday nights. We made it the site of our launch party.
