David Moss and Jeremy Scott have known each other for over 20 years. The longtime friends and tech enthusiasts have collaborated on various projects, from working in local government to promoting STEM programs in local high schools.
Now, they’ve combined their experience to co-found Lonely Inc. and create a revolutionary dating app, I’m Lonely, with the need to shake up the dating scene in Houston.
The app wasn’t born from a traditional startup idea—it arose from a personal challenge. Moss, the CEO, found himself back on the dating scene after a divorce, unsure how to navigate it in the modern digital age.
“It had been 20 years, and I didn’t know how this worked,” Moss shared, laughing as he recalled his frustrations with mainstream dating apps.
His initial foray into online dating left him disillusioned. Moss spent hundreds of dollars within three months, only to be ghosted several times and even engage in lengthy conversations with what he suspected were AI bots. The poor experience led him to a realization that “We can do better.”
Moss and Scott’s backgrounds in geographic information systems (GIS) and app development became essential tools in designing I’m Lonely. Their past collaborations included building applications for government use, such as managing the pre-registration for COVID-19 vaccines in Maricopa County, Arizona, during the pandemic.
“We’ve always been focused on building applications that earn users’ trust,” Moss said.
Creating I’m Lonely wasn’t just about solving Moss’s dating woes. It was about addressing widespread issues that users encounter on dating platforms.
“David’s experience was completely different from mine,” said Jeremy Scott, the COO of Lonely Inc., recounting his earlier days in online dating. “We realized there are so many issues—fake profiles, bots, expensive subscription fees, and just texting as the primary mode of communication. It just felt impersonal.”
They knew they wanted to create an app that did more than help people swipe left or right. Their vision was to foster genuine human connections beyond the virtual world and into real-life relationships. They also wanted an app that users wouldn’t need forever.
“We don’t want you to stay in the app forever,” Moss said. “If you meet someone, fall in love, and get married, great! We want you to graduate from the app.”
One key differentiator of I’m Lonely is its built-in video call feature. Instead of relying solely on text messaging, users are encouraged to connect early in the process through video chats. But before jumping into a video call, there’s a safety feature, a verification process that confirms the identities of both users.
The app’s built-in background checks provide users, especially women, an added sense of security.
Scott said that safety is central to the app’s design.
“We wanted to make sure women feel comfortable and secure when using our platform,” he said. “From pre-checks to ensuring profiles are genuine, we’re focused on doing everything we can to give users peace of mind.”
Beyond dating, I’m Lonely offers users a chance to meet people through events and social hangouts. Moss shared his inspiration for this feature, “When I travel with my daughter for basketball, I often want to explore local activities, but finding events in a new city can be a hassle. We thought it’d be great to integrate local events into the app.” This way, even users who aren’t actively looking to date can participate in local meetups, book clubs, or community events.”
By connecting users with events in their local communities, the app fosters relationships that grow from shared interests rather than pressure-filled dates. Users can meet organically, and if they decide to pursue something romantic, they can return to the app to utilize its verification and background check features before moving forward.
Building I’m Lonely was no small feat. It wasn’t just about creating an app but about founding a company. Moss and Scott knew the importance of staying aligned on their vision.
“We wanted to ensure we were on the same page from the start,” Moss said, recognizing that many startups fail due to internal discord between founders.
They are excited about the future, with a soft launch behind them and an active website. For them, I’m Lonely isn’t just about dating—it’s about building a platform that connects people meaningfully through romance or shared experiences.
For more information, visit www.imlonely.live or follow I’m Lonely, Inc. on Facebook, Instagram, X, or YouTube.
