Opinions expressed by Digital Journal contributors are their own.
Ashley Molina-Kabba still remembers the frustration of trying to get alyst listed in the App Store. Apple initially labeled it “just another dating app,” missing what made it different. But for Molina-Kabba, the review was more than a formality. It highlighted the exact gap she set out to fill. Existing platforms continued to overlook the real safety and identity needs of minority professionals dealing with digital connections.
After months of hands-on development and a two-month delay, Apple approved the listing. That moment became a turning point, not just in the app’s journey, but in confirming that there was space and demand for something different.
Where product design meets purpose
Molina-Kabba did not create alyst as another conventional product. As a director of product design with over eight years of experience in tech and entertainment, she engineered a platform that addresses the needs of professional, underrepresented daters seeking a safe dating environment. She oversaw every development phase, collaborating with contracted developers to bring the platform to life.
“When you are a woman of color in professional spaces, you are either made too visible in the wrong ways or not seen at all,” she explains. “Dating apps mirror that imbalance.”
She reimagined the standard dating app format. There are no endless swipes or superficial bios. Instead, users log in through LinkedIn, authenticate their identities through facial recognition, and complete a full profile. The platform uses a ratings-based system to suggest matches and delivers a compatibility dashboard that illustrates why each pairing makes sense. This encourages more deliberate, authentic connections.
More than just features: Built-in accountability
Safety was thoughtfully integrated from the start, forming a core part of alyst’s design. Users access tools that help them spot red flags, manage first conversations, and prepare for safe dating experiences. Upcoming features will include AI that detects bullying, LinkedIn friends in common and support for planning first dates.
“Safety is an integral part of how alyst is built,” Molina-Kabba emphasizes.
To reinforce this, the company provides a public guide to safe dating on its website, covering everything from identifying scams to choosing secure meeting spots.
Growing momentum and community engagement
Since launching in March 2024, alyst has attracted more than 7,400 downloads and now operates in all 50 U.S. states and 120 countries. The app consistently converts between 22% and 30% of visitors into registered users, surpassing the industry average of 13% to 18%, according to AppTweak. Notably, 15% of that growth occurred organically.
The company has concentrated growth initiatives in Southern California, Northern California, and New York. Unlike platforms such as The League or Hinge, alyst prioritizes authentic connection and meaningful interaction from the very first moment.
Built for belonging, built to last
Molina-Kabba has remained focused on depth over hype. Rather than chasing growth for its own sake, she has concentrated on building a tool that prioritizes trust, clarity, and inclusion for underrepresented daters.
With plans to expand globally, alyst is preparing to bring its quality-focused platform to communities that have long been disregarded in digital matchmaking. Its structure is rooted in verified identity, intentional matching, and professional values — an approach that reflects a model built to grow with integrity and accountability.
For Molina-Kabba and the team behind alyst, deep-match dating is not a feature or luxury, but a standard every user deserves.
