“I met someone who attended one of our events,” the former banker and auditor shared with FMT Lifestyle. “But I can’t say if it worked only because I run Swipeless. I need another success story!”
Whether romance sparks or not, one thing is clear: Swipeless, which was launched early this year, is shaking up how singles meet. Indeed, in a world where dating apps struggle to keep users engaged and swipe fatigue is real, Swipeless offers a refreshing alternative.
“We flip the dating app model,” Tay explained. “With apps, you match online and then meet in real life, if you’re lucky. With Swipeless, you meet in real life first. If there’s a connection, the rest flows naturally.”
The beauty of Swipeless lies in its flexibility. It’s a space for singles to unwind, have fun, and meet people, whether they find a partner, a new hobby, or a lifelong friend. “We position ourselves as a singles platform, not a dating platform,” Tay emphasised.
Tay, newly single in her 40s, felt like a fish out of water when tackling dating apps. After marriage, divorce, and decades away from the dating scene, she downloaded the apps that everyone swore by – only to find herself frustrated. “It was so hard to connect,” she admitted.
Busy schedules, no-shows for video calls, and the pandemic-inspired longing for real human connection, all added to her disillusionment. “I kept thinking – there has to be a way to meet people without all this awkwardness.”
That’s when the idea for Swipeless was born. It isn’t just another dating platform – it’s an antidote to swipe culture, aiming to help people connect naturally through shared activities.
“Why can’t I just go and do something and meet people?” Tay thought. She wanted real-world interactions that weren’t just about matching profiles but about people genuinely enjoying each other’s company.
Swipeless began humbly enough – a Google form circulated among friends asking if they’d be interested in events for singles. The response was immediate and overwhelming. “Once I had 125 responses, I thought, ‘Okay, there’s a need’,” Tay said.
Her first events, a cocktail-making class and a singles hike, attracted 30 people over two days. “These were strangers, just people who filled out a form and showed up. That’s when I knew this could work.”
Today, Swipeless offers a variety of activities apart from drinks and dinners. Think tennis clinics, pizza-making workshops, and even reflective sessions called “Would You Date You?”
Each event brings together people with similar interests and as Tay cheekily put it, “Worst case, you leave knowing how to make pizza or with a great pickleball game under your belt, things which you already enjoy doing anyway!”
While Swipeless isn’t marketed as a dating service, Tay’s favourite stories come from unexpected friendships. “One pickleball group even started their own WhatsApp chat. They now hang out regularly because they met through Swipeless,” she shared.
Many attendees expressed relief at having found a space where they can meet like-minded people. “It’s really rewarding to see new friendships forming.”
Looking ahead, Tay’s planning to take Swipeless beyond Kuala Lumpur, expanding to other cities in the region and eventually, the world. In fact, a launch in Singapore is just around the corner.
She also envisions Swipeless evolving more than only events, with AI streamlining the matching process to help participants connect with like-minded individuals even more easily.
In-app chats are also in development to foster meaningful connections after the events conclude.
But at the heart of it all, Tay insists the magic lies in keeping things simple and fun. “Come with an open mind and come to make friends.”
Find out more about Swipeless here. Follow Swipeless on Facebook and Instagram.