FEATURES
Swipe Less, Talk More: Meet Never Strangers, the Platform Helping M'sians Forge Meaningful Connections
Getting back into the dating scene can feel overwhelming, especially if the thought of swiping through countless profiles on dating apps makes you cringe. If you're craving more genuine, face-to-face connections, Never Strangers might be just what you need.
So, what exactly is Never Strangers?
Founded in Singapore in 2024, Never Strangers is a unique platform that’s changing the way people meet by ditching digital small talk and bringing real conversations back into the mix.
Angelo Wan, co-founder of Unfiltered (Never Strangers’ parent company), said the idea started as a personal problem, more specifically, a friend’s problem.
“Around August last year, my friend broke up and wanted to get back into the dating scene but hated dating apps. We suggested she go to a dating event, but there wasn’t really anything interesting or fun out there.”
That’s when Angelo realised it was a shared problem, more and more people were turning away from dating apps.
“So we thought, as an event company, it would be fun to create our own version of dating events or parties. We asked ourselves, ‘How do people usually meet, other than through dating apps?’”
Initially, Angelo considered ideas like house parties or meeting through mutual friends. After some back and forth, they landed on the concept of a house party-style event tailored for working adults.
“So with the dating event idea and the goal of helping people meet new friends, we came up with Never Strangers.”
Angelo shared that they brainstormed other names like In Real Life, but eventually settled on Never Strangers, inspired by one of his favorite quotes: “A stranger is just a friend you haven’t met yet.”
From Singapore to Malaysia
When asked how Never Strangers expanded to Malaysia, Angelo said it all started with a viral video of one of their events in Singapore. Malaysia quickly became the obvious next step for overseas growth.
Launching in a new country came with its own set of cultural and social differences. According to Angelo, the most noticeable change was the racial ratio of participants.
“In Singapore, our events usually have a balanced mix of races. But in Malaysia, we noticed a higher ratio of Chinese and Indian participants. Socially, though, everyone is pretty similar, people who come to our events are usually open-minded and welcoming.”
He added that the venue might also play a role in this difference, as most mixers are hosted in bars. Never Strangers is now exploring new venues and concepts to better suit diverse preferences.
What to expect at a Never Strangers event
Each event begins by assigning participants to a table with five others, creating a cozy setting to ease into conversations. To help break the ice, specially designed “get-to-know-you” cards are placed at each table.
“Once participants warm up, we kick off a game of human bingo, where everyone gets a chance to talk to others in the room. While we call it the ‘shoot your shot’ moment to talk to someone you find attractive, it’s also designed to help you connect with everyone.”
At the end of the event, matches are revealed on participants’ phones. Each person gets 10 minutes to chat with their match before the next one is revealed, there are three matches per event.
Wondering how matches are made? Never Strangers uses a weighted system based on participants’ values and beliefs. Pre-event questionnaires ask questions like “Are you considered bookish?” or “Do you want kids?” to help form meaningful matches.
Not just for dating
Never Strangers also hosts mixers for people simply looking to make new friends.
When asked how the platform differs from dating apps and other networking events, Angelo emphasised their manual vetting process. Every participant is screened before being allowed to book a slot.
“This helps ensure that people show up for the right reasons. It also minimises safety concerns and allows us to manage unwanted behaviour at events.”
He added, “Unlike dating apps, we offer the advantage of getting to know someone in real life immediately, no ghosting, no catfishing.”
While not everyone comes looking for love, Never Strangers has found a way to accommodate those seeking friendship. The format remains the same, but the intention shifts.
Connections that last
Although hosts don’t participate in their own events, Angelo shared that he’s made many lasting connections through Never Strangers, some even became close friends.
Beyond that, the platform has helped others build meaningful relationships. Some participants became travel buddies, while others entered serious relationships.
Like any venture, Never Strangers has faced its share of challenges. One surprising issue? Gender ratio. “We’ve faced this from the beginning and still do. In every city we’ve been to, there are significantly more women than men,” Angelo said.
After a year of research, they’ve developed a formula to help balance the gender ratio in Singapore, which they plan to apply to other cities.
Looking ahead, Angelo hopes to expand Never Strangers across Southeast Asia and introduce new event formats to help people connect in different ways.
They’re also working on an app that will allow users to easily find and join Never Strangers events around the world.
Interested in learning more about them? Check them out here.
Featured Image Credit: Provided to Rojak Daily
Featured Image Credit: Provided to Rojak Daily