Online Dating Firm Launches $20M Annual Fund to Boost “Virtual Intimacy” Startups

Social Discovery Group, renowned for platforms like Dating.com and DateMyAge.com, has unveiled an ambitious venture studio. This new initiative is designed to make virtual intimacy mainstream by supporting groundbreaking startups focused on AI-enhanced communication, extended reality (XR) innovations, and social discovery platforms.

Introducing SDG Lab, the company commits an impressive $20 million every year. The investment approach is refreshingly straightforward, offering entrepreneurs the chance to gain initial funding for developing their products, along with additional capital needed to expand their endeavors.

Among the studio’s standout investments are ‘VR Chat&Date’, a virtual dating initiative, and several niche dating apps such as Kiseki, Flure, and AstroLove.

Steered by Alex Kudos, who previously served as Social Discovery Group’s Chief Marketing Officer, SDG Lab extends more than just financial support. It offers a suite of resources for startups, including legal assistance, backend operations, technological support, and marketing expertise.

“Social interaction is undergoing a transformation, and digital intimacy represents the new frontier,” stated Kudos, now CEO of SDG Lab. “Our mission at SDG Lab extends beyond merely financing ideas—we’re actively shaping the future of human interaction. By investing in and collaborating with daring entrepreneurs, we are pioneering technologies that enable profound connections regardless of geographical boundaries.”

Kudos went on to emphasize, “Virtual rapports and AI-driven connections have moved from the realm of science fiction into the core of our digital existence. SDG Lab is instrumental in crafting the next wave of products that will redefine how people forge, nurture, and enjoy relationships online.”