Sondr is led by student entrepreneurs:
Alberto Cocke, University of Kentucky, Gatton College of Business Undergraduate Student, aaco260@uky.edu
Emma Chenault, University of Kentucky, College of Health Sciences Undergraduate Student, ench226@uky.edu
This is a CLOSED team and will not be taking on new team members.
Bootcamp Project Overview: Sondr is a revolutionary dating app designed to foster authentic emotional connections before physical appearance ever enters the equation. In today’s fast-paced dating environment, apps have prioritized swiping based on looks, leading to shallow matches, low commitment, and dating fatigue. Sondr flips that model on its head by centering personality, values, and emotional chemistry as the foundation for every match.
The name "Sondr" comes from the word "sonder," which means the realization that each random passerby has a life as vivid and complex as your own. Our mission is to honor that concept — encouraging users to appreciate the richness of a person's story, not just their photos.
Sondr’s experience is structured like a “baseball diamond” journey that mirrors the stages of deepening a real-world relationship:
- Home Plate: Users match based on detailed personality prompts, life values, and shared interests — no photos are shown at this stage.
- First Base: Matches unlock the ability to message each other through text. Meaningful conversation is the focus.
- Second Base: After mutual engagement, audio messages are unlocked, allowing users to hear each other's voice and further deepen the emotional bond.
- Third Base: Gradual unblurring of profile pictures begins, revealing users' faces over time as emotional investment builds.
- Home Run: Full photo reveal and the option for video chat to complete the connection journey.
This progression reduces impulsive decisions based on superficial attraction and instead rewards emotional investment and compatibility.
Sondr’s business model includes a freemium structure. Users will have a free tier limited to a small number of daily matches (three), encouraging intentionality and high engagement. Premium subscribers gain additional daily matches, access to advanced personality filters, faster photo unblurring options, and exclusive community events. This model positions Sondr to monetize sustainably without sacrificing user experience.
Beyond individual connections, Sondr plans to introduce community-based features where users can join interest-based groups — such as travel, entrepreneurship, or mental wellness — creating organic opportunities for friendships and romantic relationships alike. The timing for Sondr is crucial. Young adults today (especially Gen Z and younger Millennials) are increasingly disillusioned with hookup culture and craving authentic, lasting connections. Moreover, the mental health crisis associated with superficial dating apps — such as increased anxiety, depression, and body image issues — highlights the market's readiness for a more meaningful alternative.
Sondr’s initial launch target will be college campuses and young professionals aged 18–30 who are actively seeking real relationships. Future phases will expand marketing to niche communities such as faith-based groups, creative industries, and mental wellness communities.
In a sea of dating apps focused on appearances, Sondr stands out by asking: "What if you fell in love with who they are, not what they look like?"
Project Owner
Alberto Cocke, Emma Chenault