In a world saturated with endless swiping and superficial connections, Marsha Hoei has turned the dating scene on its head. As the founder of Breeze, the world’s first offline dating app, Marsha isn’t just rewriting the dating playbook, she’s pioneering a movement that champions authenticity, diversity, and human connection. Launched in 2019 by Marsha and 6 fellow graduates from the Technical University of Delft, Breeze is now the fastest-growing dating app in the Netherlands, offering a fresh alternative to digital fatigue.

Marsha’s inspiration for Breeze was born out of her own frustration with conventional dating apps. “They felt emotionally draining,” she recalls. Users were stuck in cycles of endless chatting, ghosting, or never meeting at all. Determined to create something different, Marsha envisioned a platform that prioritized real-life dates over virtual interactions.

Breeze’s innovative pay-per-date model keeps the focus on genuine connections. “We only succeed when you meet in person,” Marsha says, emphasizing that the app eliminates prolonged chatting and gets straight to the heart of what dating should be, meaningful, offline connections.

Simplifying the Dating Experience

At the core of Breeze is a design philosophy built on simplicity and intention. Unlike traditional apps that overwhelm users with endless profiles, Breeze limits matches to a select few each day. If two people like each other, there’s no chat, just a date.

Marsha’s hands-on approach as the product lead has been fundament. “Every Breeze date I went on taught me something new about improving the experience.” From refining notifications to clarifying features, Breeze is a product constantly evolving with its users.

Diversity as a Driving Force

One of Breeze’s standout qualities is its commitment to diversity and inclusion, a rarity in the tech world, where homogeneity often dictates product development. Marsha is adamant that diverse teams lead to inclusive, impactful solutions. “If you build a product with a narrow perspective, you risk alienating entire groups of users,” she says.

Marsha’s journey in a male-dominated industry taught her the value of embracing her unique perspective. Early on, she tried to “blend in” with her male colleagues but soon realized her intuition as a woman was a strength. “When I trusted my gut, we made better decisions for female users,” she explains, adding that understanding gender dynamics has been key to Breeze’s success.

Rethinking Gender Dynamics in Dating

Marsha also recognizes the different ways men and women navigate dating apps. While women are more selective, men tend to swipe more frequently, creating a mismatch that Breeze addresses thoughtfully. For instance, the team focuses on promoting profiles that convey trustworthiness, a quality women prioritize.

This nuanced understanding has led to deliberate choices in how Breeze operates. “Men often upload outdated selfies, while women look for cues of reliability,” Marsha notes. By bridging these gaps, Breeze creates a more balanced experience that resonates with all users.

Advice for Aspiring Startups

Marsha’s journey has been filled with lessons, and she’s passionate about sharing them with others, especially women in tech. “See your perspective as a strength,” she advises. Finding mentorship and connecting with other female founders has been crucial in her path.

She also urges startups to prioritize diversity from day one. “Even if your team isn’t diverse yet, you can still create inclusive products by conducting focus groups and listening to different perspectives,” she suggests. For Marsha, diversity isn’t just a goal; it’s a foundation for innovation.

A Global Vision for Breeze

Looking ahead, Marsha has ambitious plans for Breeze. The app’s next big step is expanding beyond the Netherlands, starting with Belgium. But the goal isn’t just growth, it’s to inspire a shift in the tech industry toward more ethical, user-centered models.

“Even if we’re not the ones to make it global, I hope Breeze inspires other companies to focus on authenticity rather than attention or addiction,” Marsha shares. Her vision for a more inclusive, honest tech landscape is as revolutionary as the app itself.