Julie Griggs and Danielle Dietzek Want Dating to Feel More 'Rooted in Connection' With Their New App Fourplay: 'We're Creating a Future Where No One Has to Navigate It Alone'

Julie Griggs and Danielle Dietzek had an idea to start a new app called Fourplay Social after being "tired" of the "toxic dating app culture: the pressure to impress, safety concerns and first dates that felt more like job interviews than attempts at meaningful connection."

"We knew there had to be a better way to meet other single people, and we were right! We decided to make a joint profile on a dating app and told men to only match with us if they had an awesome friend they could bring for a double date. It felt safer, more fun, and way more natural, because no matter the outcome, it was still a night out with your bestie!" the pair exclusively tell Morning Honey.

They continue, "The response was immediate and enthusiastic. What started as a fun experiment revealed a bigger opportunity. People were craving a more social, less isolating way to meet. Not long after, we found ourselves on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic in NYC, where we saw firsthand how deeply loneliness was impacting people. That experience only reinforced our belief in the importance of human connection. We bootstrapped the first version of the app and grew to over 10,00 users organically, proving the demand. In 2022, we decided to go all-in on building Fourplay Social."

While on dating apps, they felt the "fun was missing."

"We wanted a platform for single people that wasn’t a dating app. A community that didn’t try to convince you that you needed to change your relationship status. An app that wasn’t about the outcome," they share. "No one was building for the experience of being single: the need for social connection, emotional safety and fun while you're single. So we created Fourplay because we recognize that the journey itself matters, not just the end result."

"When we dove deeper into the literature, it became clear that, in addition to a more fun experience, a safer one was also needed. No matter how many 'technical' safety features exist on dating apps, nothing replaces the buddy system. It’s the most natural, time-tested way to meet new people, and it works. Since single women are disproportionately affected by the risks of online dating, introducing a double-date approach felt like the most obvious and necessary evolution in the space," they continue.

During a six-week stretch when Griggs was assigned to a clinical rotation in New York City, the single best friends, who were living under one roof, thought the joint profile/double date experiment was "honestly irresistible."

"Until that point, we both dreaded first dates, either because they felt unsafe (Julie’s only 5 feet tall!) or like a total waste of time (Danielle would rather have a girls' night watching Bravo). This was finally an opportunity to accomplish what we wanted out of our single lives!... to meet other single people and do it in a way that felt safer and actually worth it, because at the very least, it was time spent together," they state.

Unlike other dating apps, "Fourplay is an actual social app that can only be experienced with a friend. On Fourplay, you invite your single friend to create a joint profile. From there, you browse and match with other pairs, enjoy the banter of a 4-person group chat, and make plans to meet IRL," they explain. "There’s no forced chemistry or romantic matchmaking ahead of the date, and no expectations as to how things should play out. Bottom line, Fourplay makes meeting new people feel like shared experiences with your friend, not a solo mission on a dating app."

"Everyone starts by creating their own individual account, so each person has full control over their profile, preferences, settings, and has their own voice in the group chat. But unlike traditional dating apps, you don’t match one-on-one. You need to team up with a single friend first," they state. "Once you’ve joined forces and created your joint profile, you can browse other pairs who match your team’s preferences. If your team likes another team and they like you back, it’s a match, and a group chat opens. You can also create multiple teams with different friends, each with its own unique vibe. There’s no pressure to figure out who is into whom before meeting in real life. In fact, we highly recommend that you don't. The focus is on keeping things social, fun, and open to whatever happens next, whether that means a romantic connection, a new friendship, or just a memorable night out with someone you're already comfortable with."

"The online dating industry is booming, but it is also massively broken. 78 percent of singles report feeling burnt out by major dating apps, citing loneliness, pressure, and safety concerns," they continue. "Despite this dissatisfaction, online dating is the most common way couples meet. Fourplay Social is designed to fill the gap between high demand and a poor user experience. We are not offering more of the same. Instead, we are centering the single experience around fun, friendship, and authentic connection. Fourplay is built by single people, for single people. More than that, it is built by healthcare providers who prioritize emotional and social well-being over superficial swipes. Every feature, every decision, and every detail comes from personal experience and real conversations with our community. We have felt the pressure, the burnout, the awkward first dates, the safety concerns, and the loneliness. That is exactly what we are solving for. We believe single life should be one of the most exciting, connected, and empowering times in a person’s life. Fourplay exists to make that possible."

There's also the Explore section, which is where "singles discover perks, events, and brand experiences that support their social, emotional, and physical well-being," they share. "We believe single life should be fulfilling and fun, and Explore brings that to life with curated content and collaborations that help our members live well while they're single. Fourplay was built on a deep commitment to self-care, self-love, and mental health. We love partnering with brands that share our mission to help people feel their best, inside and out, and every placement is intentionally chosen to reflect that."

Additionally, "every profile goes through a review process, and we have a zero-tolerance policy for bad behavior. We also have a reporting system that we take very seriously. Every report is reviewed thoroughly, and appropriate actions are taken," they state.

So far, users are flocking to Fourplay Social as it resonates with people.

"The proof is in our 30-day retention rate, which is six times higher than the industry average," they share. "We’ve received emails from users thanking us for 'making dating fun again,' DMs from strangers sharing pictures of their friends who are now in relationships thanks to Fourplay Social, and feedback at our events that people have made life-long friendships. We’ve even gotten some hilarious (and slightly demanding!) emails from prospective users who are mad at us for not launching in their city yet. Don’t worry, y’all…we’re coming!"

The businesswoman note how digital life can feel "incredibly isolating," especially with "endless swiping superficial conversations, superficial conversations and dating app fatigue."

"Technology has streamlined communication, but it hasn’t deepened it. It often prioritizes quantity over quality, and that leaves people feeling more alone than ever. We started Fourplay because we believe that dating should feel more human, more fun, and more rooted in real connection, with laughter, friends, and community at its core," they continue.

Now, with the app, anyone can have "an unlimited number of teams with any friend you want (you don’t have to be the same gender or sexual orientation)!" they share. "Every friendship brings a different vibe. Maybe you and that one friend are super into movement and pickleball, and your matches and IRL plans reflect that energy. With another friend, it's about chasing the best tacos and local brews, so your dates revolve around great food and chill hangs. You’re not locked into one version of yourself, because your experiences can shift based on who you're teamed up with. It keeps things dynamic, fun, and way more authentic."

Since the ladies are first-time founders with no tech background and no insider network, there's been challenges along the way, especially while trying to get the app up and running during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We were physically and emotionally exhausted, but deeply motivated by the need for real human connection. That mission kept us going, even when the odds felt stacked against us," they note. "As women in tech, we’ve faced our share of skepticism and bias. We weren’t what investors expected to see, and we’ve had to fight hard to be taken seriously. But instead of trying to fit into the mold, we built a team that breaks it. Our company doesn’t look like a typical startup, and we’re proud of that. On the product side, building a social network means solving the 'cold start problem.' You need people to create value, but you need value to attract people. We’ve had to get scrappy, especially without much of a marketing budget. Every bit of growth has come from hustle, heart, and a community that believes in what we’re building."

However, the silver lining is that they love making TikToks while "laughing until it hurts."

"The real best part is that we’re best friends building something together, and we’ve actually benefited from it ourselves as single women. The fact that we now have lifelong friendships, core memories, and maybe even future romantic partners because of a company we built is surreal," they share. "What makes it even more meaningful is hearing from our users. When someone tells us that Fourplay helped them make new friends, fall in love, or simply feel less alone, it makes all the hard startup moments worth it. We built this from scratch, and knowing it has made a lasting difference in someone’s life is the most fulfilling feeling in the world."

Going forward, the pair is excited to expand the app nationally, in addition to several upcoming market launches.

"We’ve seen strong demand outside of New York and can’t wait to bring Fourplay to more cities across the country. We’re also launching on Android soon, which will open up the experience to an entirely new group of users," they state. "Our roadmap is packed, and many of the upcoming features were inspired directly by user feedback. Their insights have helped shape what comes next. One thing we’re especially excited about is incorporating AI in ways that help people spend less time on their screens and more time connecting in real life on a Fourplay date. The goal is always to make real-world connections easier, not to replace them with more tech. There’s a lot coming that we’re thrilled about, and we can’t wait to share more when the time is right."

They conclude, "In five to 10 years, we see Fourplay as a household name that’s redefining how people form meaningful connections in real life. We want to be the go-to destination for shared experiences that are playful, safe, and rooted in real community. The need for connection is universal, and we’re creating a future where no one has to navigate it alone."

Follow the app on social @fourplaysocial, and if you’re single, come join the community.