Left Field
In short: Left Field is a New York dating app, published by Left Field Dating, Inc., that gives each user two curated introductions a week instead of a swipe feed. It was co-founded by Samantha Martin and Kate Sieler and launched in 2025. In January 2026 it won a $200,000 investment from Kendra Scott and Alexis Ohanian on Shark Tank.
Key facts
| Type | Dating app |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | New York, United States |
| Founded | 2025 |
| App Store | App Store listing |
| Founder | Co-founded by Samantha Martin and Kate Sieler [Tech Startups, 22 January 2026] |
| Launch | Launched in February 2025 [Tech Startups, February 2025] |
| Funding | Secured $200,000 from Kendra Scott and Alexis Ohanian on Shark Tank for 8% equity plus 4% advisory shares [Dating Industry Insights, January 2026] |
| Users | Had about 5,000 users at the time of the Shark Tank pitch [Dating Industry Insights, January 2026] |
| Owner | Published on the App Store by Left Field Dating, Inc. [Apple App Store, 2026] |
| Fact | Sends two curated introductions per week, each with a note explaining the social connection [Apple App Store, 2026] |
| Headquarters | Launched in New York City [Global Dating Insights, 2025] |
About Left Field
Left Field is an iPhone dating app that replaces swiping with a small number of curated introductions. According to its App Store listing, it matches people with others they already know socially through mutual connections, hometowns, favourite places and shared communities, and sends two introductions each week with a short note explaining the connection. The app is free to download and is published by Left Field Dating, Inc.
The company was founded by Samantha Martin and Kate Sieler, and was reported to have launched in New York in February 2025. Early growth was reported to come from partnerships with local bars and comedy events rather than paid advertising. Martin told the Shark Tank sharks that the plan was to charge men through a subscription.
In an episode of Shark Tank broadcast in January 2026, the founders agreed a deal with guest investors Kendra Scott and Alexis Ohanian for $200,000 in exchange for 8 per cent equity plus 4 per cent in advisory shares. At the time of filming the app had about 5,000 users. Dating Industry Insights noted that this was small next to the subscriber bases of Match Group and Bumble, and that the company had not disclosed a revenue model, pricing or how it would deploy the funds.
Investors
- Kendra Scott, Funding, 2026-01
- Alexis Ohanian, Funding, 2026-01
Timeline
Deals
| Date | Type | Parties | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 January 2026 | Funding | Left Field: Kendra Scott and Alexis Ohanian (Shark Tank) | $200,000 for 8% equity |
Stories about Left Field
- Left Field's Shark Tank Win: A Bet on Scarcity Over Swipe
Left Field, an app limiting users to two matches per week, raised £156,000 ($200,000) from Kendra Scott and Alexis Ohanian on Shark Tank.
Questions about Left Field
Who founded Left Field?
Samantha Martin and Kate Sieler founded Left Field, which launched in February 2025.
How does Left Field work?
It sends each user two curated introductions a week, based on social connections such as mutual friends, hometowns and shared communities, instead of a swipe feed.
How much did Left Field raise on Shark Tank?
It secured $200,000 from Kendra Scott and Alexis Ohanian for 8 per cent equity plus 4 per cent in advisory shares.
What is Left Field?
Left Field is a New York dating app, published by Left Field Dating, Inc., that gives each user two curated introductions a week instead of a swipe feed. It was co-founded by Samantha Martin and Kate Sieler and launched in 2025.
Where is Left Field based?
Left Field is based in New York, United States.
When was Left Field founded?
Left Field was founded in 2025.
What is Left Field's latest deal?
Funding: Kendra Scott and Alexis Ohanian (Shark Tank), $200,000 for 8% equity, 28 January 2026.
Also known as: Left Field Dating, Left Field Dating App, Left Field Dating, Inc..