About Heartwise
Heartwise is a Relational Wellness Companion for young adults seeking long-term relationships. Our library of relationship resources combined with our matching system is an expert guide in the dating journey, providing actionable guidance. With Heartwise, users can navigate dating confidently and find more likely connections than with traditional dating apps.
As the first benefit corporation in the online dating space, Heartwise prioritizes integrity, transparency, and inclusivity—challenging industry norms that prioritize user retention over real relationship success. Our mission aligns with our users’ values, offering a trustworthy alternative to high-turnover models. Heartwise is not just another dating app—it’s a transformational tool that helps singles date with confidence, clarity, and purpose.
Our Story
“Learning about healthy relationships in my work has empowered me. I know that no matter what happens in my dating journey, I have the tools to navigate challenges and remain true to myself. I want to give Heartwise users the same self-confidence to be resilient while dating in this challenging social landscape.”
Heartwise was founded in 2024 by Christine Wenzel. While studying Global Health at UC San Diego, Christine became involved with research projects focusing on consent and healthy relations on university campuses, conducting interviews and focus groups with other undergraduate students. In 2019, she co-led the Let’s Talk about Sex [Education] research project that explored young adult’s sexual education experiences and relationship outcomes. Hearing firsthand the struggles and successes of young people’s romantic relationships illustrated the lack of relevant relationship resources for her and her peers. Since then, she has continued gathering research and expert advice as she navigated her dating journey and supported friends in their experiences.
In 2023, after reading news articles on how the dating app industry was failing its users, Christine imagined Heartwise. In 2024, while Christine was earning her Master of Public Administration, Heartwise grew from an idea to a startup. In the 2024 George Washington University New Venture Competition, Heartwise was a finalist and received an in-kind prize.