Aneeka Patel, a former legal eagle turned professional matchmaker and the founder of matchmaking agency Project 143, is planning to launch a modern Asian matchmaking service which aims to help young professionals pick a partner to spend their life with. Meant for busy young professionals who want to dip in and out of dating, with ‘Pay As You Go’ verified matches who have been screened by the agency. It allows people to commit to just one date at a time, on a pay-per-date basis.
Aneeka set up Project 143 when she was struggling to meet someone through conventional means whilst working long hours in the city. Eager to find a meaningful relationship, she tried numerous dating websites, apps and services, but found most lacked the quality of matches she was after.
Aneeka said, “Our clients tell us that while they love the bespoke matchmaking service we offer, they sometimes feel they do not have the time to commit to it fully. This is especially true when they are very busy at work or have periods of travel, so I have come up with a different offering which works on a pay-as-you-go basis to offer greater flexibility.
“If you are a young Asian professional using online dating apps to look for a partner and finding you are being matched with the wrong people then Project 143 Pay Per Date is for you.
“There is no small print, and no computer algorithms – just good old-fashioned matchmaking. Everyone on our books has been screened by us and is verified via LinkedIn so you know you are meeting someone who is also genuine, professional and looking for a partner. Since we even arrange the first date all people have to do is turn up.”
Aneeka believes setting up the date is actually a vital part of the process and is easily achieved once profiles have been exchanged and both parties agree they want to take it further.
Explaining she told Asian Voice, “We set them up on a date and tell them to meet at a venue after we have synchronised their diaries. We do this because many of our clients complain that when they use apps or online dating they may match and have a short conversation but it rarely leads to a date even when it is has gone really well.
“By taking control our matches will lead to guaranteed dates where real chemistry can be built. Hence, our motto is ‘Where strong matches lead to real dates’. It is simple but effective.
While some may question why Project 143 is only targeted at Asian professionals, Aneeka is in no doubt there is a specific need for a niche service for these men and women – most aged in their late 20s, 30s and early 40s.
She added, “Many British-Asian singles are second, third or even fourth generation, struggling to balance a world of traditional expectations with a modern approach to meeting someone new. For Asian professionals the struggle is greater because by investing in their education and career they often cannot find the time to trawl through online profiles.
“Furthermore, they are intelligent, cosmopolitan and progressive, they have a vast range of interests and are well travelled – and they want to meet like-minded people who are equally as ambitious and open-minded and like them are looking for good strong matches which lead to real dates and a better chance of success.”
