LOS ANGELES, CA — (Marketwired) — 11/04/14 — HelpsGood, an award-winning agency focused on creating social good, has launched (), a new dating app that connects people with shared values, passions and politics. Instead of “swiping right” based on looks, candiDate connects mindful young people with each other and inspires them to become more engaged in the political process. The nonpartisan was a finalist at Causathon, a hackathon benefitting nonprofits, and is the first app to launch from the event. candiDate is now available for free on Android devices via .
The candiDate app is a new take on dating that uses your politics to help you find love.
Select your “Yay” or “Nay” positions on key issues including: abortion, gun control, health care, higher education, defense spending, jobs, the environment, gay marriage, the budget, spending and taxes, social security and foreign affairs. The questions are sourced from , the premier non-partisan, citizen-driven organization devoted to voter education.
To refine your match to another candiDate user, browse ten Congress members in the House of Representatives and Senate whose voting records are closest to your answers to those same questions — in other words, browse your political soulmates. You–re on your own if you–re looking to date them though 😉 Swipe right or left on each of them to “Yay” or “Nay” them regardless of their voting records.
The app then uses those votes and swipes to match you to your best “candiDate” — another person using the app in your local area who shares your beliefs and values. Before connecting you to your match, you will have the option to register to vote via –s robust online voter registration system. You can then start privately chatting with that candiDate match, or move on to find another candiDate.
“We–re excited to launch this dating app that connects people in a profoundly meaningful way. If you–re looking for a hookup, use Tinder. If you–re looking for a deeper connection with someone who shares your values on core issue positions, use candiDate,” says Michael Bellavia, CEO of HelpsGood, developers of candiDate. “Republican, Democrat, Independent, Tea Party, Green or even if you just like watching “Veep” or “House of Cards”, there–s a candiDate waiting to be matched to you.”
The candiDate app started during , a hackathon competition focused on creating impactful technology solutions for nonprofits. Rock the Vote, a participating organization, challenged teams to find disruptive ways to inspire more young people to register to vote as over 50% of 18 to 29 year-old eligible voters are not currently registered.
During the 24-hour hackathon, a minimum viable product of candiDate was conceived and produced by a team of developers and designers who had not worked together before. Ultimately, the candiDate app was selected by a panel of esteemed judges as a Causathon Competition Finalist.
Members of the initial team went on to work with HelpsGood, an agency focused on amplifying social good, to launch candiDate in time for Election Day 2014. HelpsGood has had previous success in Get Out the Vote efforts with the , a viral social movement that inspired the largest march on Washington, D.C. of people and puppets in support of continued federal funding for public media.
are underway to bring candiDate to iPhones, expand internationally and use the underlying technology for other social good apps.
candiDate is a mobile app that connects people with shared values, passions and politics. Use the candiDate app to find, connect, chat and date other like-minded, conscientious, thoughtful and real people. The app is non-partisan, just like love. Joining a wave of new social good apps and products, candiDate leverages its dating service to not only help Millennials connect with each other, but also get inspired to register to vote and get engaged in the political process. Download candiDate for Android devices for free at or visit .
HelpsGood () is a digital agency and product development company focused on creating social good. The company uses creative technology to help nonprofits, government agencies, NGOs and corporate social responsibility teams generate measurable impact through marketing, communication and fundraising programs. In addition to working with clients like the Ad Council and United Way the company develops original social good products including the candiDate app and a new series of digital storybooks featuring Smokey Bear, the wildfire prevention icon.
Media Contact:
Kris Elder
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