News Summary

Cerca, a new dating app tailored for Gen Z, is set to demonstrate its unique approach to matchmaking at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 in San Francisco. Founded by Myles Slayton, Willy Conzelman, and Carter Munk, Cerca aims to connect users through mutual friends, addressing the generation’s preference for familiar connections in the wake of the COVID pandemic. With a recent $1.6 million seed round and 60,000 users primarily across New York and universities, Cerca offers a distinctive experience by eliminating stranger interactions and reducing rejection fears. The app’s algorithm favors users with shared contacts, focusing on mutual safety and privacy. Cerca’s participation in Startup Battlefield underscores its ambition to redefine dating for younger generations, prioritizing meaningful connections over superficial swipes.