Munich Startup: What does your startup do? What problem do you solve?
Dinner Date: Diner Date is a Dating app, which aims to bring commitment back to online dating and addresses exactly the things that have frustrated people for years: ghosting, fake profiles and superficial "swipe dating".
We have developed mechanisms that not only sound good, but actually change behavior:
- Anti-ghosting mechanism: If you leave others hanging, you can't just carry on as if nothing happened.
- Less swipe game, more real contacts: more conscious getting to know each other instead of endless swipe mode.
- Transparency through ratings based on genuine interaction (profile / chat / date): respectful behavior becomes visible and is rewarded.
In short: We are building the dating app where people can dare to search seriously again – without the usual frustration.
Munich Startup: But that's been around for a long time!
Dinner Date: There are many dating apps, but in our view, there hasn't been a consistent solution to the same recurring pain points. Our impression is that the market leaders grew big with the "more swipes = more time in the app" approach. That works for business, but often not for the people behind it. Ghosting is practically factored in, fake profiles keep popping up, and ultimately, many users feel replaceable.
We turn the principle on its head: commitment, fairness, and authenticity aren't "nice to have" for us, but rather an integral part of the system. And that's precisely the difference you can feel.
Dating frustration leads to a startup with a point of view
Munich Startup: What is your founding story?
Dinner Date: It all started with a comment during a cocktail party, one that many have probably thought at some point: "There should be a way to rate men on dating apps." And then, quite honestly, how often have we thought and even said it ourselves: "That should really be done." We all know the world of dating apps: you get annoyed, sometimes feel cheated, and yet you still use them because there are hardly any alternatives. It was precisely this contradiction that flipped the switch for us.
We didn't just discuss, we tested, talked, and asked questions: street surveys and conversations kept bringing up the same issues (ghosting, fake profiles, superficiality, disrespectful behavior). And we thought to ourselves: "Why hasn't anyone been consistently building something to combat this for years?" So in 2023, we started developing Diner Date – right here in the region, step by step, with a very clear alternative.
Dinner Date was in 2023 by Mario Schlüter, Konrad Frey and Barbara Schuhbauer founded. The startup is based in Nandlstadt in the district of Freising, right in the heart of the Munich metropolitan region.
None of the founders previously came from the tech or startup world. They directly translated their experience from professions that involved listening to, supporting, and guiding people into the development of Diner Date. Together, they bring their social perspective, hands-on mentality, and passion for genuine encounters to the dating app – with the goal of making online dating respectful, committed, and fair.
Munich Startup: What have been your biggest challenges so far?
Dinner Date: It's a classic chicken-and-egg situation, and even more so in the context of dating. You need users for it to work. And you need a successful user experience to keep users coming back. We're being so clear about this because it's the reality: the biggest challenge has been (and is) growth through quality, meaning not just "a lot of downloads," but a community that embraces our vision: respectful, committed, and authentic.
In addition, there are the typical startup challenges: quickly improving the product, building trust, gaining visibility, and simultaneously operating a platform that actively minimizes abuse and fake topics.
Market leaders are working against the interests of users.
Munich Startup: Where would you like to be in one year, where in five years?
Dinner Date: In one year, we want Diner Date to be perceived in Germany as a genuine alternative. Not as "just another dating app," but as the antithesis of dating frustration.
In five years, we want to be mentioned in the same breath as the big players, precisely because many market leaders are ignoring the real problems of users.
Our aim is: If someone says "I'm fed up with ghosting and fake profiles," then Diner Date is the obvious answer.
Munich Startup: How have you experienced Munich as a startup location so far?
Dinner Date: Very positive. We attended several startup events and experienced Munich as a true startup hub. We're always impressed by how much is happening there: from strong ideas to genuine exchange. What we particularly appreciate is that you don't just meet "business cards," but people who are truly helpful – contacts, learnings, quick tips, and genuine openness. For us as a team from the region, Munich is a huge advantage: short distances, a strong community, and a lot of energy.
Munich Startup: Hidden champion or shooting star?
Dinner Date: Ideally, we'd like both – but if we have to choose: a hidden champion with substance. We don't want to be the next short-lived hype, but a product that solves a problem that almost everyone is familiar with.
Our street surveys have confirmed it: the same pain points have persisted for years, yet at their core, little has changed. If we can ensure that people experience more respect, clarity, and commitment in online dating, then that will be the "shooting star" moment. But one that will last.
