Would-be entrepreneurs are often told to create a startup that “scratches their own itch,” and that’s just what BeCouply does. Founded by lovers-turned-business-partners Becky Cruze and Pius Uzamere, BeCouply is a free mobile and web app that allows couples to discover new date ideas, capture special moments, and connect with other couples.
Cruze first felt the itch soon after she and Uzamere started dating. The “sentimental, organized one in the relationship,” she wanted to keep track of their date ideas and preserve their memories together. Uzamere, who graduated from MIT in computer science, came to his lady’s rescue with a basic date-planning program.
When some friends expressed interest in the idea, Cruze and Uzamere realized they shouldn’t keep it to themselves. The first version of BeCouply was born—with way too many features.
“We told ourselves over and over again, ‘okay, we’re not going to put too much in,’ and we still made the classic mistake,” says Cruze.
Still, they received positive feedback. The next version, Spotlight—an About.me for couples, Cruze explains—had too few features. Like good partners, they settled on a compromise, which will be launching in beta for the iPhone in a few weeks.
“We really haven’t found anything out there for couples,” says Cruze. “It’s a huge and underserved market.”
Once BeCouply launches, Cruze and Uzamere will be looking for more feedback from that market. Since they both quit their jobs, they hope to eventually make money through promoted date ideas and Groupon-like deals that will show up in the user’s news feed. And although it’s “their baby,” they are planning to hire other employees and take angel investment.
“We want it to be a product that millions of people use and enjoy,” says Cruze. “A committed, long-term relationship has to be nurtured.”
Clearly, those who think technology is destroying real human connection should think again.
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