PowerPoint just became the ultimate wingman at 'Pitch and Pair NYC'

Modern dating may be messy, but the age of the wingman is officially having a glow-up. Forget lurking in the background at bars or silently cheering you on from across the room—your bestie is now stepping into the spotlight. At Pitch and Pair NYC, the city’s buzziest new dating event series, the wingman becomes the main act, armed with a PowerPoint deck and three to five minutes to present you as the hottest catch in town. It’s business meets romance, boardroom energy meets butterflies, and it’s rewriting the script on how Gen Z and Millennial singles connect today.

Pitch and Pair NYC

At Pitch and Pair, the formula is simple but genius—you bring a single friend, make a slide deck about why they’re the most wanted person, and then present them to a room full of eligible singles. We’re talking quirks, secret talents, or even that time they mastered the art of parallel parking on the first try. Each pitch ends with a Q&A session and, of course, a slide with the single’s Instagram handle so anyone interested can make their move.

We’re moving past the average swiping session or stilted speed-dating round. Instead, it’s a high-energy, interactive matchmaking event that leans on authenticity and humour. Presenters deliver pitches that range from sweetly sentimental to hilariously over the top, sparking laughter and conversations in equal measure. By putting the power in a trusted friend’s hands, the event offers something digital apps can’t—a glowing seal of approval from someone who knows you best.

The vibe is casual yet electric, with mingling happening both during and after the pitches. And the format is clearly striking a chord: according to Eventbrite, in-person dating and singles’ events spiked by 42 per cent between 2022 and 2023, showing just how ready Gen Z and Millennials are to ditch the endless scroll for real-life encounters. Pitch and Pair thrives on this hunger for connection, proving that the classic wingman is more relevant than ever—only this time, they’re taking centre stage.

 
Pros and cons of Pitch and Pair 

Of course, like every modern dating experiment, Pitch and Pair comes with its ups and downs. On the plus side, it eliminates the awkward self-promo that dating apps demand and adds a dose of credibility—because who doesn’t love a glowing review from their certified wingwoman? It also makes for a fun, low-stakes night out where, even if sparks don’t fly, you’ve still had a good laugh.

But on the flip side, having your love life turned into a live pitch can feel a little exposing. Not everyone wants their quirks laid bare in front of strangers, and sometimes, the idea of being “sold” like a brand can blur the line between play and pressure. And while having someone else pitch you is flattering, it’s still very different from meeting someone organically and forming that first impression yourself. After all, every presenter is bound to “sell” their candidate in the best light—why wouldn’t they?

Still, what makes Pitch and Pair fascinating is not just its novelty but the larger shift it represents—dating is no longer just a solo pursuit; it’s becoming a collective sport. By turning matchmaking into a shared experience, it reframes vulnerability as entertainment, friendship as credibility, and romance as something the whole room gets to weigh in on. Maybe that’s the future of modern love—less about swiping in silence, more about letting your inner circle (and sometimes a crowd of strangers) help write the first chapter of your story. Honestly, I’m just sitting here wondering what my deck would look like…

Lead Image: Getty Images 

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