VENUE, unlike current dating apps available these days, gets people offline and off the couch so they can enjoy local events with their matches in real life. VENUE handpicks local events like beer tastings, food truck rallies, and sporting events. Users simply choose the event they are interested in and then they move to match with others who chose the same event. The app prevents the endless chatting that sometimes prevents matches from actually meeting by limiting the chat function to eight hours before the event — just enough time to say hello and coordinate the meeting. Matches can judge each other's actual chemistry rather than by who has the best one-liners. VENUE was co-founded in 2017, by two people who are on a mission to make dating great again: Andrew Bowman and Lea Richards. Bowman is an Air Force Reserve pilot by day and a serial entrepreneur by night. He's been involved in many businesses and has a passion for starting and growing companies. Richards is a small business owner and growth hacker who is passionate about shoestring PR and user acquisition.