Why Are Singles Paying for This IRL Matchmaking Service?

Violet Lim, Co-Founder and CEO of Lunch Actually, Group CEO of Lunch Actually Paktor Group

24-Apr-25 10:00

Why Are Singles Paying for This IRL Matchmaking Service?

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In a market ruled by swipes, one 20-year-old matchmaking agency is keeping dating alive IRL.

In this episode of Open For Business, Violet Lim—Co-Founder and CEO of Lunch Actually, and now Group CEO of the newly formed Lunch Actually Paktor Group, shares how her team is navigating the swipe-saturated dating landscape with an 8-figure concierge-style business.

We unpack Violet’s journey from lunch dating pioneer to regional category leader, and how the group is tackling online dating fatigue with curated matches, coaching, and long-term relationship outcomes, not quick dopamine hits.

We explore:

Why Lunch Actually targets busy professionals over casual swipers
How coaching, tech, and human matchmaking come together
The economics behind an 8-figure love business
Their M&A-fueled expansion across Asia
What a potential IPO or strategic exit could look like

If you’re curious how a high-touch service is scaling in a tech-first world—or how to build a love business that lasts—this episode is for you.

Produced by: Roshan Kanesan, Kishan Sivaswamy

Presented by: Roshan Kanesan

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Categories: markets, Women in Business

Tags: consumer tech, made in asia, online dating, matchmaking, mergers & acquisitions, relationships, dating,

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