Beating dating app scammers with Jessica Zeun, Fluttr

Business Live: for curious entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurs

Who are we talking with when we meet someone on a dating app or social media platform? A real person or a fantasy construct? How do we know a person's profile is genuine and what they're telling us is true?
With romance fraud rocketing, scammers and criminals are using dating apps and social media platforms to reel in their victims. But a new, British dating app uses robust ID verification to ensure users are who they say they are, and Jessica Zeun joined me today to explain how Fluttr works.
It's based on three pillars, "safety, authenticity and efficiency" and Jessica tells us the app's founders saw "so much terrible stuff happening in dating apps" which they sought to fix – but at the same time it needs to be fun.
She covers the user experience, how the founders raised their startup-costs and plans to roll-out the app beyond the UK. And as a long-term expert on social media Jessica gave her perspective on platforms – plus tips for anyone moving, like she has, from building products for other people to building their own.
Also on the show: funding opportunities and events for businesses and social enterprises. This is episode 362 of Business Live – hope you enjoy it!

• 0 - 25:53 Jessica Zeun, Fluttr
• 25:53 Funding! Act fast if you want to apply to the Digital Innovation Grant (DIG) programme which supports Small and Medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Yorkshire to develop their use of digital technology. Plus travel sector and hospitality, accommodation and leisure grants (Sheffield), details here.
• 29:41 Events: The Sheffield Universities Managing Directors Club on 10 March covers funding to innovate and grow your business. Details and booking.
• The SME Business Breakfast event on 29 March: details and booking.

Thanks for listening!