There’s no doubt that online dating comes with its own set of risks. Catfishing, dishonest profiles, and potential threats only scratch the surface of just how unsafe online dating can be for women worldwide. Sean Cook, CEO and Founder of Tea, decided to change that.
After witnessing his mother get scammed on dating apps by online fraudsters, Cook created Tea as a dating safety platform to disrupt the current state of the online dating industry. Tea is not a dating app. It’s built exclusively to protect and empower women by verifying identities, providing background checks, and vetting any suspicious concerns before meeting with their date. Women can even perform a quick background check on someone they’ve met in real time.
Laying the Foundation
Growing up in Philadelphia, Cook was taught to stand up for what was right, especially by the women in his life. His devotion to music as a child led him to teach music lessons to underprivileged parts of Philadelphia, cultivating his mission to make the world a better place. Solving real-world problems became his passion as he began diving into the world of technology.
Cook eventually moved to San Francisco, where he began learning the ins and outs of the tech world. Before sparking the idea for Tea, he led product development for prestigious Bay Area companies like Salesforce and Shutterfly.
“With a background in tech and a decade of experience building products, I felt a responsibility — and a real opportunity — to do something. I knew I could build a product that protected and empowered women as they navigated online dating. It reflects what I care about most: using technology to solve real, human problems and to make people feel safer, seen, and supported,” said Cook.
The “Tea” on Tea
A 2019 ProPublica report stated that over a third of 1,200 women in a survey have been sexually assaulted by someone they’ve met on a dating app. While some dating platforms perform brief background checks and implement security measures, there are still a large number of assaults going unreported from online dating matches. Cook noticed this common occurrence and wanted to stop it by tackling the root of the problem with typical dating apps: ample security to ensure women are truly safe.
“My mom’s challenges with online dating were upsetting — and eye-opening. However, when I brought it up with my friends, I learned it wasn’t just my mom who was going through this; every woman I spoke to had a similar story,” explains Cook. “The common thread was clear: dating apps weren’t built with women’s safety or emotional well-being in mind.”
The World’s Biggest Group Chat
Tea takes the stress out of online dating by getting into the details of the people you’re swiping right on. Using different tools and software, Tea can reverse-search images, look up phone numbers, and conduct background checks at length. Tea can even access public records and criminal history, as well as scan sex offender maps.
Tea’s advanced system detects any unusual behavior immediately, giving women the power to make informed and safe decisions. Since the platform’s launch in 2023, Tea has garnered over 500,000 users, ranked fourth in the App Store, and received over 16,000 five-star ratings. So far, Tea has grossed $1.6 million in ARR.
Most importantly, Tea has created a community of women who look out for each other. The Tea Party “Group Chat” provides all 500,000+ users a safe space to ask for advice, share experiences, and lend support with complete anonymity.
Creating Tech With Impact
Cook has stayed true to his lifelong commitment to giving back to the world in ways that matter. Building revolutionary technology is impressive, but seeing the real-world implications of your invention is a true testament to your work.
“The response to Tea has been incredible — and deeply validating. We’ve received thousands of messages from women saying the app helped them avoid everything from emotionally damaging relationships to physically dangerous situations. That kind of feedback confirms that we’re not just building an app — we’re filling a real, urgent need,” says Cook. “What’s been especially powerful is that nearly all of our growth has come through word of mouth. Women are sharing Tea with their friends because they want other women to be safe too. That sense of community and mutual support is exactly why we built Tea in the first place.”
While Cook is far from over on his journey with Tea, he is confident that the platform will continue to put women in the driver’s seat and give them the essential tools they need to date safely.
To learn more about Tea, visit Tea for Women.
