In this episode of Founders-Meeting, we sit down with Davíð Örn, co-founder of Smitten, the dating app that’s flipping the script on how people meet online. As the youngest of five brothers and a serial entrepreneur, Davíð walks us through the highs, lows, and wild pivots of his journey — from failed ventures to launching one of the most fun and engaging dating apps out there.

Imagine an online dating experience that goes beyond the superficial swiping — where connection starts with curiosity, not just a photo. A place where you discover fun facts, quirky failures, and shared passions through playful quizzes, personality colors, and creative prompts. It's not just about who looks good, but who gets you. That’s the future Davíð Örn is building with Smitten — where dating is fun again, and the ice breaks itself.

Initially on track to become a doctor, Davíð’s mindset shifted radically after reading Rich Dad, Poor Dad, setting him on a path to build something of his own. What followed was a bumpy but enlightening ride through multiple startups before finding his stride with Smitten — a platform built not on superficial swiping, but on fun, connection, and play.

💡 Whether you’re building an app, starting a company, or just fascinated by how ideas become products, this conversation is full of real, raw entrepreneurial insight.

🧠 What We Talk About:

• Davíð’s origin story: from med school dreams to startup reality
• How failures and pivots shaped his approach to building
• What makes Smitten different from Tinder, Bumble, and other dating apps
• Why fun is the secret ingredient to creating real connections
• The challenges of scaling a dating app — and why critical mass matters
• Fundraising in today’s economic climate — and staying resilient when VC money is tight

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Resilience is the secret weapon in startup life.
• Creating joy in your product can lead to deeper user engagement.
• Market timing and trust with users are just as important as features.
• There’s value in not doing what everyone else is doing — especially in saturated spaces like dating.

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Smitten Website

Download the smitten app here...

• Smitten on AppStore
• Smitten on Google Play

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Smitten
• Tinder
• Bumble
• Hints
• Silicon Valley
• Makers Fund

Keywords:

founders meeting, startup journey, Smitten app, online dating innovation, entrepreneurship insights, dating app design, startup failures, Icelandic founders, user experience, VC fundraising, Gen Z dating trends, startup resilience, playful UX, tech founders, marketing in tech, emotional design, early-stage startups